#i think kaeya deserves to be silly! as a treat :)))

[glacialswordsman-a]

💋 (I promise they'll have actual interactions someday I swear 🙇‍♀️)

prompt

Do not incur the wrath of a librarian! 💋 (5/5)

If anyone said that Mondstadt’s beloved Cavalry Captain was sprinting towards the Ordo’s headquarters, they’re nothing but a big fat liar. Obviously, he would never sprint, that would be unbecoming of a man of his status!

… But it was clear he was rushing, having a book tucked securely beneath his arm. It was a kid’s novel that he had borrowed from the KoF’s library for Klee, as the little Spark Knight mentioned she was just a taaad nervous about checking out any books. It certainly didn’t take a genius to figure out why. Klee loved the two librarians, that much was obvious, but she knows that they are both very strict when it comes to returning their books on time. Hence, here Kaeya was now, hurrying to give back what he had checked out beneath his own name for the elven girl.

Almost breaking down the door to the library as Kaeya burst in (as quietly as he could!), he frantically looked around before spotting exactly whom he needed: Signe.

Looking towards the chronometer, he noted that he made it exactly on time. Oh, Celestia must finally be smiling down upon him, for once! … Hopefully.

Grinning toothily and turning up the charm as much as he could, Kaeya sauntered up towards the assistant librarian and placed the book before her, trying not to let his exhaustion show. However, his hair was certainly messy from the wind and his breathing was just a tad heavy and quick. “Signe, my dear! Ever a sight for sore eyes, you look positively astonishing today! Did you do something new to your hair? It looks even lovelier than usual! Anyway, here, I brought back the book I checked out—right on time. See? I told you, I’ve thoroughly learned my lesson from the first time,” he rambled, pressing a hand to his chest while the other raised in a motion of scout’s honor.

He knew she was probably less than thrilled over his presence at this very moment, considering how he nearly broke the door off its hinges and how loud he’s being—but fortunately, there was no one else in the library as far as he could see. Still, using one last option, he swept in to press an absolutely OBNOXIOUS kiss to her cheek, attempting to completely get her off-kilter before he pulled away and waved goodbye flippantly, rushing out of her and Lisa’s domain lest he gets placed in the proverbial (or not) electric chair.

[gold-rhine]

If it's not too much trouble, could you expand on Diluc's "already incoherent characterization" you mentioned in one of your recent posts? I'm just curious cause I also feel that there's something off about him writing-wise but I can't put my finger on it.

sigh. so, at the start of the game hoyo wrote diluc as super aggressive and negative towards kaeya specifically and knights in general, and all of their interactions are very hostile. they are having bitch fights every time they are in the same room.

like, fandom likes to pretend that diluc has guilt, bc of like some anonymous message on a public board that sounds like it's diluc feeling bad, which hoyo back-wrote. but they can't gaslight me, i just recently replayed start of the game content on my new account. like first time diluc appears is in kaeya's domain after traveler and kaeya cleared it, and diluc bitches at kaeya for no fucking reason and kaeya is v passive aggressive back at him. they have bitch fight in venti's quest. diluc's entire quest is about him trying to keep kaeya from discovering he's darknight hero and he specifically makes it known that kaeya is unwelcome every time he shows up in the tavern. and he sounds negative when bringing up kaeya for any reason.

and then hoyo started to back-pedal. idk what happened, maybe the direction of the plot shifted. maybe the writer who was writing them in this conflict vein quit. maybe at the start they only had vague idea of like brothers at war with each other, and once they started to flesh it out and add nuance, they've realized that like, burning your baby brothers' eye out might be understandable in the moment of trauma and shock, but then acting like you're on high horse and treating him like garbage for YEARS after is a bit of a psycho behavior.

quick aside bc i know there are ppl who think that, um, kaeya "deserved" it and like. he was what, not older than 10 when he was left at the winery. and he was about 17 when he confessed. he was a traumatized kid who kept a secret bc his bio father told him that the fate of his entire country depends on it. get a grip. but as i said, with the same logic, diluc was also in shock and trauma, and i do not fault him the fight itself. what doesn't track is how diluc acts years LATER, when he had time to think.

so they started to drastically soften diluc AND back-writing retcons. Hidden Strife letters are all about it. They were like oh, brothers were always in contact! Diluc is not a maniac, he was polite to the knights and he told kaeya to take care :) :) :) this creates new set of problems. not only it gives diluc personality split where he was incredibly aggressive to kaeya in person, but apparently normal in the letters. But also, we have letters from Kaeya that make it obvious he knew immediately that diluc is a darknight hero and they both were chill about it. But like! diluc's entire story quest is about him trying to keep kaeya from learning that! like, come on! why then diluc did all these stupid scooby doo shenanigans with slimes and shit???

now i think they are trying to shift responsibility for reconciliation from diluc to kaeya, which is the only issue that affects kaeya's own characterization. bc they are very hard going into "all servants at winery ADORE kaeya and treat him like family and welcome him!!" and fandom like, extends it to diluc now, like diluc is welcoming kaeya too and kaeya is a silly goose who has his hang ups and refuses to visit. as if getting your eye burned off, trying to reach out first and getting "ugh, its you" treatment when you show up at your brother's tavern is just like. a lil awkward situation that kaeya himself should get over without any effort on diluc's side and he should just ~realize~ that he's still part of the family lol. and ppl justify it like "well we don't know how diluc actually feels, he probably feels guilt (anon message) and wants to reconcile". which like. so we don't know, but kaeya is supposed to figure out and reach out AGAIN, when diluc at any time could've just told him that he's welcomed.

and now in kaeya's hangout we learn more about their childhoods which tbh hurts diluc even more. like how are we gonna be pretending that diluc cares about kaeya when he returned to mond and found his baby brother, who was apparently the sweetest gentlest child in the world, his loyal shadow for entire childhood, couldn't lie, was taking punishments for diluc, and see him now becoming a high functioning alcoholic with brazenly unhealthy persona of liar and manipulator, and like NOT get worried and try to reach out. which i don't think it was hoyo's intention, they just wanted to add the tragic sweetie uwu to kaeya's characterization, but they did not think how it reflect on diluc in global context

so now diluc's characterization flip flopped in several directions, and he doesn't really has an arc or plotline going. he's kinda just there now, more of symbol than character, and hoyo just writes whatever they want for him without any regard for any previous lore

[intcritus]

❛ you are too well tangled in my soul ❜ kaveh to kaeya !

When Kaeya thought of love, Kaveh’s maroon gaze came to mind. His mother’s love was something he thought about a lot. Crepus’s love for both he and Diluc comes to mind as well, but it’s not the same. It’s something he hadn’t deserved in the slightest. But he likes to think that he deserves the love that Kaveh is willing to give him, even a crumb of it.

The truth was, for Kaeya, a man of secrets was more shy about love than he was about being with someone in an unofficial capacity. He treats it like treasure ; true love, the kind that makes his heart full, the one that has his stomach fluttering with proverbial butterflies ? Yeah, it’s something sacred. He’s a sinner, he doesn’t deserve that, but he yearns for it with both hands outstretched. 

For the Captain, love doesn’t come to him in grand gestures, it’s Kaveh being passionate about what he does. How excited he gets sharing fruit platters, feeding him with his hands, on silly dances by the riverside where they first kissed. A fond smile curls his lips as he sips on his chai, Kaveh in his shirt shouldn’t make his chest warm. Some part of him is aware that his hair is a mess, hanging tousled around his shoulders and down his back but if it gets the architect to run his fingers through it again during morning kisses, how can he complain? 

❝ ━ I don’t think you quite understand how mutual that feeling is, ❞ the words are quiet, arm slipping around Kaveh and pulling the man flush against him, placing a kiss upon his nose. ❝ ━The place my soul is…it’s been empty a long time. And yet, here you are, vacating that very space with pretty eyes and sweet kisses. ❞ Soft laughter escapes him, pressing his forehead against his pretty architect’s. Joke as he might, emotion swells his throat, tears stinging his lashes. Archons, how lucky was a sinner like him to have someone so beautiful and genuine in his life ? / @avaere

[noctis-noctua]

I, Kaeya Alberich, Take Thee

Pairing: Kaeya x Fem. Reader

Count: 1976

Description: Kaeya knows that be does not deserve anything he desires. There is nothing he can do to make you his, but so badly does he wish there was.

Content: Unrequited love, angst, bittersweet ending, marriage.

Warnings: Slight spoiler for Kaeya's backstory but an addition of (non-canon!) Prince Kaeya.

In another universe, maybe I am not cursed so by the Gods. Kaeya resists the urge to nibble on the tail-end of his quill. It was unbecoming for a man of his stature to succumb to unsanitary habits. Plus, this particular pen hailed from a crow’s feather, hunted by the hands of a childhood friend. The intricate quill had not been put to use for a substantial amount of time, but it fits into Kaeya’s hand as if it came to shape its spine based on the curvature of his own grasp. He could get used to signing off documents and organizing civil affairs if it meant succumbing to such mundane sensations. The morning sun dripping onto his mahogany desks and floors, a faint scratch of keratin against ivory paper filling the empty space… It has been a long time since he’s made the decision to take over petty bureau duties. Today is a special day. Kaeya needs to focus on the satisfying echoes of paper and pen, on the sunlight heating his back, or he might just go insane.

    The clamor of bells tugs Kaeya from his mechanical performance. Each ring is a song of desperation, a performance begging for his attention. Come out and celebrate! Indulge in the pain. He is not a man that falls prey to anger, but he cannot help that frustrated itch in his stomach as he hears the iron reverberating. Please just be quiet, Kaeya thinks. Let me forget. The hesitant croak of his door alerts Kaeya to the presence of the Acting Grand Master. She dons an outfit unique from her usual uniform - a cream-colored dress, embroidered by floral lace, a single azure ribbon tying at the waist. So even the straight-edged Jean has taken time off today? 

    “Kaeya, you can’t make these excuses forever.” He knows from how Jean closes the door with unperturbed silence that this is not a conversation regarding hilichurl nests or Fatui diplomats. He can tell from the way Jean drops the mature title of ‘Sir’ in favor of his childhood nickname, that it is a conversation Jean feels must be approached with gentleness as if Kaeya is a stray cat that claws at feeding hands. The Grand Master releases a heaved exhale because both of them dread this discussion as much as the other. There is an inherent wrong in seeing Kaeya distressed. He may not be shedding tears in solitude or resigning himself to the dormitories, but he is hiding, and that is enough for Jean to observe that he is not functioning as normal.

    “Please, come for a little while. I know it’s not… something you want to see, but he’s your brother. Offer a small congratulations at the least.” Her heels tap on the polished hardwood.

    “I was planning on coming by later this evening.  Tell them I’m sorry for not being able to attend the main event. How could I? Just look at all this paperwork.” Kaeya’s signature chuckle follows, putting up a front of careless flirtation. It is not uncommon for Jean to rope the Cavalry Captain into his desk chair. Lord knows he’d never do it otherwise… yet now he claims servitude to the dulling labor. How ironic. 

    “I’ll tell them of your apologies… but both of us know that paperwork isn’t the reason you can’t make it.” Jean turns around, blonde hair trailing in the breeze left behind before Kaeya can quip up a rebuttal. She’s right. Jean is always right. The papers piling on his desk are from the drawers of his subordinates, filed away to be completed in another five months' time. There is no reason they had to be done today. He is hiding. He is a coward and a pathetic one at that. The thought alone provokes Kaeya to tug on his studded gloves and push out his chair. His sights are set on leaving because to be seen as a frail child is to fail at the sole thing he succeeds at. Being the chivalrous Cavalry Captain renowned for his beauty and failsafe charm is the one thing he cannot lose because he cannot let Mondstadt see how fragile he is behind the visage. 

    Mondstadt’s avenues are bustling. Oak tables identical to the ones across local taverns have been dressed in linen tablecloths and topped with miniature feasts. Children run between tables, tugging at each other’s shirts in a feisty game of tag as festive music tempts the adults to a dance. The tell-tale strums of Mondstadt’s No. 1 Bard’s lyre lead the crowds to the statue of Barbatos. Behind it, trails of petals line the paths leading to the limestone Cathedral. Couples, singles, and families alike make haste to enter through the carved doors. No one wants to miss this. Kaeya tugs on the collar of his fur coat, gazing at the entry before him. He can hear the music of an organ, romantic and rich, ricocheting from inside. 

    He steps into the Cathedral. The ceremony has yet to start and the pews continue to fill. Citizens scoot as close as possible to allow for more onlookers to take a seat. He finds a spot next to Huffman and a few other Knights, squished on the outer edge. It is three benches from the front. Too close for Kaeya to be comfortable. The croaking benches have long since met their capacity by now. Not a soul is missing, Kaeya reckons. Diluc Ragnvindr, the wine Tycoon, Mondstadt’s famous magnate, is marrying after all. It is no small occasion. Diluc’s brazen hair is a torch amidst fog, its perk hue garnering the eyes of all in the Cathedral. He is dressed in a suave black suit. It boasts minuscule gold embellishments followed by a hefty crimson cape draped on his shoulders. Even dressed in the furs and fabrics of royalty, one could sense a distinct awkwardness from him. If you’re going to marry her, at least look confident, brother. 

    It hurts. He cannot lie to himself - not that Kaeya was trying to in the first place. There is a pain associated with seeing the woman he loves marrying the brother that no longer desires to even speak to him. Now, Kaeya regrets standing up from his busy work. These thoughts won’t stop their festering, and it punches a hole through his stomach. Kaeya is all-too-aware that tonight, you will climb into Diluc’s sheets. He’d treat you kindly, of course. He grew up with Diluc and has seen his rigorous nobility tutors shape him into the gentleman he is today. There is no doubt that you will live a lavish life of luxury. A life Kaeya could never afford to give you. 

    In Khaenri’ah, Kaeya’s title of ‘Prince’ holds as much merit as it does in Teyvat. His people are dead or suffering. His city has crumbled into dust and shards of a forgotten legacy. Kaeya himself serves one purpose, and that is to bring glory back to the Eclipse Dynasty. It is in these times that Kaeya regrets being born royalty to a lost nation. In the solace of his chambers, Kaeya would stare at the painted ceiling and ponder. If I were born someone else entirely, would you give me a chance? But who is he kidding? Kaeya knows he’s handsome. It’s stupid and unreasonable to be so self-deprecating. He isn’t the one marrying you because he wasn’t Diluc Ragnvindr. He wasn’t from a line of Mondstadtian heroes; he was from the ashes of sinners and embers of civilization. He was Kaeya Alberich, Cavalry Captain of the Knights of Favonius, caught between familial loyalty and a stinging betrayal. Of course he wasn’t marrying you. 

    The Cathedral doors groan as the nuns heave them open. Light floods in and frames the feminine body of the lady of Mondstadt. In your hands, a bouquet of calla lilies. On your body, a silken robe of pearls and diamonds. It flows at your back, fluttering in the blessed gales of Barbatos’. Kaeya swore that as a Khaenri’ahn, he would never see the Gates of Celestia. But this… this, he thinks, might be the closest glimpse he gets. No one dares to speak. She is beautiful. She has always been beautiful. Time slows as Kaeya lets himself take in the sight of you pledging your livelihood to his brother, and his brother’s livelihood to you. 

     Then, as if he is an innocent child once again, Kaeya closes his eyes as you two kiss. Clapping and cheers fill the atmosphere. 

    “To the Ragnvindr’s! Oley!”

    “Say, Kaeya, do you ever wanna get married?” The girl questions from Kaeya’s backside. 

    “Maybe. Then I can show off in front of my lovely wife! That would be cool, wouldn’t it, Diluc?” Kaeya jests, elbowing his step-brother’s chest. Diluc rolls his eyes, ever the prodigy. 

    “We’re still young. There’s no use thinking about such things. Shouldn’t you focus on training?” He grumbles. Kaeya knows that he will never have a lucky wife. He will never have a healthy family, or a thriving home, or a genuine relationship. Those are nothing more than dreams to Kaeya.

    The girl grabs Kaeya’s arm and begins running into the fields of grapes and firs. There is a childlike giggle dispersing for all in the neighborhood to hear, fading out as they lose sight of the manor. Reaching the edge of the cliffside, they halt. It overlooks a sapphire river below, fit for one of Master Crepus’ paintings. Diluc had been abandoned long ago. 

    “Hey, Kaeya, the water kind of looks like your hair.” The girl remarks, nuzzling closer to him. He feels his heart thrashing in its cage, begging him not to react, begging him not to ruin the fate of his country. To the girl, he smells of linen, lampgrass, and sweat, much as a kid his age should. Silence settles onto their shoulders, both of them catching breaths that had been stolen in the wind. “I didn’t ask before because I thought Diluc would get mad, but… Kaeya, how about we get married when we grow up?” How silly, Kaeya thinks. I couldn’t marry you if I wanted to. 

    “Hmm, okay. So you’ll be my lucky wife then?” Kaeya plummets down onto the grass and grins. It tickles the back of his neck and stains his blouse a verdant green. He dreams of dreaming, because that is all Khaenri’ahns like him can do. He dreams of coming home to your embrace or trudging back from battle hand-in-hand. Either one is okay. Anything with you is okay. 

    “Of course, stupid. That’s what marriage is. So you’ll be my lucky husband!” Lucky husband. It fills his heart with an immature pride too chaste for a traitor of his caliber. 

    “Deal!” 

    “Deal.” 

    They are naive children making impossible promises, but a part of Kaeya has never unlatched from those delicate whispers. Khaenri’ahns dream of dreaming, but just this once, Kaeya wished he could dream of you.

    “So, Sir Kaeya, are you going to marry soon? Youth is fleeting! Get a wife while you’re young.” One of the Knights suggests, sliding him a suggestive beam. Kaeya let’s himself open his eyes. He processes the blinding light from colored panes of glass spilling over him, the jovial expressions of the citizens he has sworn to protect, and you grasping onto Diluc’s arm, a longing of adoration phasing across your features. Happy. You are happy. He turns towards the knight, cracking a smile.

    “Don’t be silly - I’m already married, Huffman.” He lets the novice soldier ogle at him for a few seconds. “I’m joking. Lighten up.” Huffman releases a hearty chortle, commenting on his Captain’s sense of humor and putting a hand to his chest. He laughs along, but Kaeya knows there is no joke. 

Don’t be silly. I’m already married. It was a deal, after all.

[multi-maker]

Heyo i was wondering if could request some hc for needy Zhongli and Kaeya? like lets say they were quite busy with work and their partners schedules just didnt allighned at all so they kept missing each other... BUT the day finally arrived where they can spent the whole day together!

AWEE THIS WAS SO CUTE AND FLUFFY TO WRITE !! admin dawn is crying right now because of how adorable this is- ALSO!! this contains spoilers so if you haven’t done any of his quests and you do not wish to be spoiled, don’t read any further !!

also i just learned how to use bullet points !! HOW COOL IS THAT??

your wish, is my command~! <33

zhongli’s a natural busy man - considering he works at a funeral parlor and he attends to most of it’s needs

this results into him not being able to spend much time with you, which annoys the man but he understands his duties

he’s a god after all- he knows responsibility more than anyone in the world

when he finally gets free time, he’s quite disheartened to know that this time, you’re the busy one and you can’t attend to his needs :(

he’ll be very patient though! when you get home, he’ll have a cup of tea waiting for you, a bath drawn, and the fireplace lit up!

when you and zhongli are able to spend the whole day together, i think he would take you to some ruins and spend your day there

he would tell you stories that the books weren’t able to convey - personal stories that no one else knows but himself

he’d be prepared with a picnic too!!

zhongli would tell you stories and tales, funny things that happened, and stories of his dear friends that have passed

all in all, it would be a very relaxing and calm day!

kaeya’s a cavalry captain in the knights of favonius - which means he’s busy most of the time

he’s doing a lot of work, being a captain and a knight at the same time

whether that be destroying the abyss’ plans or clearing out hilichurl camps, kaeya has a lot on his plate!!

which means you must be ready for the lack of time you will be spending with him

although, when you DO get to spend time together with him, it would be the sweetest and the most romantic day of your life

i like to think of kaeya spoiling you often, treating you to food and jist gazing at you with love filled eyes

after all, you were so understanding of him

kaeya would do whatever you asked without question - as long as it’s moral of course-

you and kaeya would cuddle first in the morning, a lazy and calm morning with love in the atmosphere

and when it’s time to get up, kaeya would help you cook food and just be silly, just to see you laugh brightly

in conclusion: kaeya deserves love and appreciate and i love him so much-

[chiluc]

i humbly ask for kaeya and/or beidou the bisexy loves of my life also love ur childe hcs dude they made my day :DDDD

aaahavahshsjajahahs sam my beloved 🥺❤️💕 /p

first impression

kaeya - oooongGGGh gender <3 sexy little fruity bitch 🥰

beidou - wow this character can fit so much trans!! miss i would die for you <3 you are very pretty <3

impression now

kaeya - i am sorry for discarding you like garbage when i latched onto diluc i cant help it 😭 i still care you though

beidou - i am sorry for discarding you like garbage when i latched onto d

(i still love them both very much i just literally cannot think about characters other than diluc and sometimes tartaglia i have a disease and mental illnesses please forgive me)

favorite moment

kaeya - literally whenever he opens his mouth <3 personally love when he acts shady to maintain his image but is actually being considerate behind the scenes 🥺 like in jeans story quest when he seems like hes offloading all the responsibilities onto the traveler but hes actually organizing a party for jean 🥺 HE GETS SHY WHEN HE IS BEING NICE 🥺 SIR?? ❤️💕

beidou - the story about her defeating haishan is incredible BUT i also LOVE the story where she hires xiangling for the first time and subsequently adopts her :) amazing talented showstopping perfect. AND BEIDOU HELPING XIANGLING GET HER NAME OUT THERE AND BACKING HER UP AND 🥺❤️💕

idea for a story

kaeya - i think about this a lot okay but kaeya and diluc going to family therapy together 🥰❤️💕

(after attending therapy for a while they are able to have a much less strained relationship and kaeya is still an annoying older brother but diluc can be an annoying little brother too as a treat :])

beidou - hmm i think beidou/ningguang and their daughter xiangling doing silly little family shenanigans! beidou and xiangling drag ningguang to go ingredient hunting with them and ningguang is like but i can just buy this with mora and beidou and xiangling are like no you cannot! thats no fun at all now come jump off this cliff with us <3 afterwards xiangling cooks up a questionably edible meal and beidou is like 🥺 ningguang honey isnt our daughter so talented 🥺 and they kiss <3 the end <3

unpopular opinion

again i really stay out of this fandom hahaha. literally have no idea what would be considered an unpopular opinion uhhh kaeya and beidou are good actually you just dont know how to play them 💅💕 i think they deserve more love as playable characters 🥺

favorite relationship

kaeya - i mentioned this in the last ask but i love childe/kaeya as fwbs :) they are friends who would not hesitate to kill each other and also fuck sometimes but like no homo or whatever 🙄

beidou - how can i not love beigguang 🥺 trans wlw solidarity ❤️💕 also love xiangling amd beidous family dynamic hehe :) beidou really took one look at xiangling and went ohh it's free daughter <3

also kaeya and beidou are gay pirate besties :)

favorite headcanon

kaeya - he wears the eyepatch for The Aesthetic only :] ill die for this one. dont let me down mihoyo.

beidou - she is trans! this is a fact. beidou lost her eye in the transition 😭 this is so sad omg. oo beigguang hc but i think beidou has tried styling her hair like ningguangs in secret just to see how it would look :)

[ccaptain]

"i won't hate you. i know you think that's what you deserve but it's not."

[leaves the stage, screaming] -- @11fatui

   one of Kaeya’s most lethal, self-destructive flaws is that he dreams; he dreams of softspoken words in his ear, words with a dull impact in his chest and stomach, like a punch softened by protective material. he has dreamed about love, about obtaining it. to cradle it against his chest so tenderly -- only for swift fingers, his own, to destroy it. to squeeze the essence out of something so pure, out of this whirlwind romance where he’s swept off his feet by one of the most dangerous man with the brightest smile of all teyvat and beyond, and crawl back into the dark hole of self-pity once again.

   self-sabotage is a bittersweet kind of poison, all he’s ever tasted.

   pity is that he has grown accustomed, used and delighted by Childe’s presence: he has come to understand, to crave it -- expecially when he’s here, swallowing his company until the last drop has gone from the cup and the taste of him has died off his lips, only for the harbinger to replenish his fill with an addictive touch, warm hands roaming over flushed cheeks for a kiss.

   to be younger, to be so silly, to enjoy it so throughoughly...

   the day must come, he imagines, where this sweet, sweet love ends; when reality begins to settle in for them both, the foolishness of their acts tinting their passion of awkwardness, to make them realize just how silly this entire thing is. it must die, kaeya tells himself, it surely must die. there’s no human being who could endure me so. just a matter of time now.

   but when he speaks the truth, when he lays himself bare for the other to see, the reply comes clear as crystal, soft and empathetic. it comes roaring down on him like a storm of self-awareness that this man, the very man who has slit throats and has laughed in the madness of bloody showers, accepts him as he is -- and that hate has no place in their relationship, where two chaotic beings meet halfway to feel normal.

   he has damned an entire nation, killed countless of his kin, laid the children bare for the gods to take. yet, Tartaglia -- no, Childe -- sates the desperate need he has to romanticize, and let the words melt over his skin like snow flakes.

   to be accepted where everyone else has rejected, scalded and stamped him makes blood rush at his head, makes his boots unsteady; fate guides him to feel numb, then cold, then hot, face on fire and body pressed against the other’s, sapping desperately at the warmth wafting off it. the all-consuming need to curl shaking digits around the gray uniform overwhelms him, no control left in his body.

  ‘ how do you know? ‘ is asked, voice full of wonder -- as if Childe had all the answers to the world, as if mere words could undo years and years of brain programming -- but words can soothe, if not heal. and Kaeya will take all the soothing he can get, let the other man spread cooling balsam over closing wounds that refuse to fully close. for once, the thoughts don’t eat him whole, continuing the string of questions he so badly wants to ask him.

   and when words will have been given to him, he’ll spill tears, stain the clothes of his companion with stress-formed pearls, and he’ll have no energies left to do much else afterwards, body sluggish in the aftermath of learning to atone himself. he’ll be content to simply exist, bask in the soft warmth of affection. a rare treat.

   there are sins weighting him down, but when they meet with Childe’s ones, they sure do seem to get lighter.