Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The view of Mondstadt from Kaeya’s window was as beautiful as ever, birds were singing, children were playing and the atmosphere was extremely comforting. However, Kaeya wasn’t in the brightest of moods, he woke up late which meant that Jean would give him an earful when he showed up at headquarters. So, he quickly made himself presentable. After putting on his signature earrings and tying his hair into a low ponytail, the cavalry captain was ready to go.

Kaeya briskly walked to work, greeting a few Mondstadt citizens on his way, before getting a quick bite to eat from Sarah at Good Hunter.

“Morning Kaeya! What would you like today?” Sara smiled her usual smile.
“Hey Sara, could I just get some Fisherman Toast?” Kaeya smiled back, putting a pouch of mora on the desk.

“It’ll be right up!” The blonde giggled, taking the pouch and getting the ingredients ready, “just sit right over there on one of those tables and It’ll be ready in a jiffy!”

When he finally arrived at headquarters, he saw a stranger talking to one of the Knights on guard, Kaeya let out an amused noise and slowly stepped towards Jean's office. With a deep breath, he knocked on the door.

“Come in.” Kaeya heard the acting grandmaster’s voice from inside and did as he was told, making eye contact with the redhead outside her office

When Kaeya opened the door, Lisa greeted him with a smile.
“Guys look who decided to show up!” Amber smiled, walking over to nudge him in the side. Kaeya just smirked at her and looked at Jean.
“Good morning grandmaster, my apologies for being late. I didn't expect we’d have a visitor.”

“Good morning Kaeya, that was Childe, the 11th Fatui Harbinger. He’s been sent here to check if everything was okay between the Fatui and Knights of Favonius.” Jean replied in a manner of factly tone, she got up from her chair with a sea blue folder and walked towards Kaeya who stood stiffly in the middle of the room.

“Since you came late,” she dropped the folder in Kaeya’s hands. “You’ll be showing him around Mondstadt while he’s here. We were just having a meeting about who was going to do that.” She paused and took time to go sit back at her desk.
“Other than that you’re free to go. That's the folder of some jobs you’ve been assigned to do for the week. Check-in with me once you’re done.”

Kaeya replied with a quick nod and with that he left the room. Once he was no longer in sight, he let go of the breath he didn’t know he was holding and made his way towards the Fatui member.

“Good morning, I’m Kaeya, Cavalry captain for the knights of Favonius.” Kaeya extended his hand for a handshake.
“Cavalry Captain?” The ginger asked, confusion painting his face.
“Uh yeah?” Kaeya hummed, returning Childe’s face of confusion with his own.
“I don’t see any horses to captain?” Childe smirked, leaning towards Kaeya.
“Uh well yeah about that..” Kaeya chuckles, he could feel his face heating up.
“Mm, you didn’t let me finish, I was going to say you could ride me instead of those non-existent horses,” Childe whispered in Kaeya’s ear.

“Oh really now?” Kaeya grinned, he already knew what was going on and he wasn’t going to give Childe the satisfaction of flustering him.
Childe laughed and stepped back, giving Kaeya his own space.

“Well, the offer is always on the table, but let’s get a move on. Where I'm from, if we didn't keep moving, we'd freeze to death. Literally. So come on captain, show me around your beautiful city.” Childe winked, his hand patting Kaeya on the shoulder as he moved past him.

Kaeya sneered, narrowing his eyes as he followed the Harbinger out the door.

After Kaeya showed Childe some famous Mondstadt attractions, the two walked in silence, the only noise heard was the sound of their footsteps and the chatter of the Mondstadt citizens they walked past.

The last destination on Kaeya’s tour was somewhere special to all citizens of the city of freedom. The Barbatos statue. Kaeya didn’t tell the harbinger that they were going there but he had a pretty good idea the ginger knew.

As they slowly walked up the steps, Kaeya turned to face Childe.
“And onto our last destination…” He paused, turning back to continue walking up the stairs.

“Here is our beloved god of freedom” Kaeya cringed, throwing his hands in the air for a split second before turning to face Childe, who to his surprise, had an amused grin.

“Wow, Liyue doesn’t have this sorta monument for Zho- Uh I mean Rex Lapis” Childe grinned, eyeing the statue from bottom to top before walking towards it. “Didn’t your god abandon this city? What’s up with the big statue?” He asked.

Kaeya may not have liked the gods but he still wanted to wipe that shit-eating grin off the harbingers face. However, before he could say anything in response to the question, Venti showed up.

“Olah! Haha, that's how the Hilichurls say "hello". Anyways! I’m sure Barbatos loves his citizens very much! After all, who wouldn’t?” Venti smiled at the ginger, Kaeya could sense the hostility between the two as they started arguing about which city in Teyvat was better.

“But! The Pyro Archon is a wayward, warmongering wretch, and the Geo Archon is a brutish blundering buffoon!”

“Is that right? How do you know that? I think the Geo Archon is quite the gentleman”

“How do I know? Uh well because this is written in the epic poems of days gone by!”

As the two went back and forth, Kaeya just sighed. “I didn’t know you two were such slackers.” He said under his breath but alas the Fatui scum heard his statement.

“Oh come on comrade, I’m just trying to prove something to this bard..” Childe sneered, his words dripping with venom.
“You know what? I don’t even think his vision is real.” The harbinger turned back to Venti.

“Hmm? Do you want to know about my Vision? Oh, go on then, take a look for yourself.”

“How about we all go for a trip to Angel’s Share? I’m pretty sure Diluc is working today.” Kaeya suggested. Sick of their bickering, his hand travelled up Childe’s back.

“Sure I haven’t had good wine in ages, hopefully, Mondstadt doesn’t disappoint.” Tartaglia winked, following Kaeya back down the steps and to Angels Share, Venti following close behind.

Chapter Text

Childe and Venti were still arguing by the time Kaeya got them to Angel’s Share.
“Shut up you two. I’m going to convince Diluc to let Childe come in.” He said, whipping his head around to face the two.
“What why?” Childe asked, dismissing Venti with a wave of his hand.
“How dare y-“
“Diluc knows you’re Fatui, he hates the Fatui, they killed his- our father.” Said Kaeya, ignoring Venti’s words as he smiled at the Harbinger, “you two stay out here while I go get him. No more arguing or I’ll like, arrest you both or something?” And with that, Kaeya walked into the tavern.

“So… What now?” The bard asked, looking up at Childe who had a face of adoration.
“Ugh ew, you’ve known Kaeya for like a day stop making that face, asshole.”
“I bet he’d look hot in bed.” Childe scoffed in response to the bard.
“What.” Venti gasped in disbelief.
“What?” The ginger smiled innocently, sitting down at one of the tables outside the tavern.
“Nevermind” Venti made a gagging sound and sat down next to him.

Meanwhile, inside the tavern, a separate ‘conversation’ was going on.

“Come on Diluc, just once?” Kaeya half pleaded, “I’ll let you in on all the Abyss mage hideouts?” He suggested, wiggling his eyebrows.
“No Fatui scum is allowed inside my tavern. I’ll find those hideouts on my own, thanks.” Said Diluc polishing one of the wine glasses near the sink.

“Jean would be mad you aren’t letting our guest inside,” Kaeya whined
“Listen Kaeya. If I had to choose, between eating a living Cryo slime or letting a member of the Fatui enter my tavern...I'd rather be crushed by a meteorite." Diluc hissed, not at Kaeya but at the mere thought of letting a member of the Fatui into his well-known establishment.

“Just let him in, party pooper.” Rosaria rolled her eyes at the two brothers, “come on Diluc, don’t be so uptight damn.” She leered at them.
“Yeah diluc, just let him in.” Kaeya insisted.
Diluc huffed before quickly looking over at Kaeya and then Rosaria, “Fine. He better not cause any trouble or I’m kicking you out too.” He grumbled. Kaeya mouthed a quick thank you to his best friend and brother before rushing outside to deliver the news.

“As much as you say you hate him. You sure do have a soft spot for your little brother.” Rosaria looked up from her drink.
“I do not, I only let that Fatui scum in because of your accusation that I was a party pooper.” Diluc scoffed, getting Kaeya’s favourite wine ready.

“Mhm, and you’re getting his favourite drink ready because he spread the word about your tavern to some outsiders? Right.” Rosaria hummed before placing her drink down and throwing some mora onto the bar table. “See you around ’Luc.”
“Yup. See you next time.” He cleaned up her area and placed down Kaeya’s favourite wine, Death After Noon. A particularly strong tasting wine that Diluc could never understand why he or anyone for that matter liked it.

“Alright, Brother! Meet Childe the 11th Fatui Harbinger and uh, you already know Venti.” Kaeya swiftly picked up the drink Diluc prepared as if it was nothing.
“Good evening Master Diluc! I shall play a song for your tavern in return for some good wine!” Venti winked whilst pulling out his lyre and turning to the folks of Mondstadt to play a tune.

“Ah, this is the infamous Owner of the famous Dawn Winery, Master Diluc huh? You look well. What's your secret? Care to exchange notes?” Childe winked and extended his hand.
“I have no interest in giving Fatui any advice.” Diluc ignored the offer for a handshake and turned to give Venti some Dandelion Wine.
“Now, now brother, no need to be so harsh, give him your best Wine. It’s on me.” Kaeya grinned.
“Fine, but only because you’ll make a fuss if I don’t,” Diluc grumbled, pouring some wine for the harbinger.

A few hours later, both Childe and Venti were hammered, neither brothers expected that they’d drink this much and now, Kaeya, who was extremely tipsy, had to take care of the two drunks. Though he knew Diluc dealt with Venti all the time, so he just left the bard blabbing at the bar table.
“Phew! Th-anks, Cum ragg, here’s ssome mmora!” The intoxicated carrot top hiccuped, Kaeya had to hoist him up onto his back so he wouldn’t fall and break his face.

“What did this Cheeto head just call me?” Diluc seethed, his eyebrows furrowed.
“Ahah, Brother we are leaving now. Here’s… Ah, here’s the mora you are owed~” Kaeya slurred his words a bit, though Diluc knew he was trying to be respectful.
“Goodnight Kaeya, stay safe,” Diluc spoke sighed, careful not to let the bluenette hear, a certain bard did hear however and he would be sure to tell the cavalry captain what had come out of this cold-hearted Winery owner's mouth.

“Hyup! Where in Mondstadt are you staying” Kaeya asked Childe who gave no response, “mmm~ okay! My place it is.” And with that, Kaeya energetically walked back to his home with the drunken Harbinger on his back.

Opening the door to his house, Kaeya promptly kicked off his shoes and swayed to his room. As the captain plopped Childe onto the bed, he threw up.

“Ah what the shit-“ Kaeya gagged at the piss coloured chunky liquid that was spewed all over him, his floor, Childe and his poor bed.

The Harbinger though? He was fast asleep, Kaeya cursed at him quietly before picking him up to sit him down at the table. After scrubbing his hardwood floors, getting rid of the vomit and throwing his dirty clothes and sheets into the wash basket, Kaeya changed into a loose t-shirt and some pink pyjama pants before staring at the ginger who was knocked out and blabbering all over his table.

The blunette thought for a moment before grabbing some extra clothes for the drunk.
“Childe, would you like me to change you out of these clothes?” Kaeya only got a hum in response so he hastily took off Childe’s dirty clothes and put on the new ones, careful not to touch the redhead in the wrong places or wake him up. Once that was over, Kaeya was almost completely sober now and threw all their clothes in the washing machine and delicately laid Childe on his bed.

Then he flopped onto his neglected couch on the other side of the room and promptly fell asleep.

Chapter Text

The sun rose, casting a golden hue across the lands of Teyvat, the light poured into Kaeya’s dim room, Childe rubbed his bleary eyes and sat up. He took a moment to adjust to the brightness of the room before he found Kaeya sleeping on the dusty couch in the corner of the room. He then looked down to see he wasn’t in his usual attire.

Childe tried to remember the events of last night but his memories could only reach as far as drinking at Diluc’s tavern the night before.

Childe then got up, dusting himself off and making his way out of the room and towards Kaeya’s kitchen to look for something to eat. He ravaged through the fridge and cupboard which were both empty. Just as the harbinger was about to sit down, a very sleepy Kaeya walked out of the room.

“Well good morning comrade! I hope you had a wonderful sleep. Two questions though, why don’t you have any food and what happened last night?”
Childe spoke in a cherry tone which he wouldn’t have been able to manage if his hangover was any worse.

“Uh, I usually just get food from Good Hunter and question two, you were drunk out of your mind so I had to take you back to my place and then you puked all over yourself,” Kaeya responded, his words wavering a bit due to how tired he was.

“So we didn’t fuck?” Childe asked breathlessly.
“No we didn’t f- YOU THOUGHT WE HAD SEX?” Kaeyas eyes widened.

“Well yeah? Why else would I be wearing your clothes?” The ginger asked, brushing imaginary dirt off the shirt.
“As I said before, you puked all over yourself. I wouldn’t take advantage of you like that.” Kaeya rubs his eyes, trying to push out his tiredness.

“Well, that’s good! I trust you comrade! But I would like to go get some food if that’s alright?”
Kaeya nodded, “Let me dry our clothes first.”

Once the captain finished what he needed to, he threw Childes' clothes at him and told him to get ready in the bedroom whilst he got ready where he was standing. The ginger agreed and headed to the knight's room.

Kaeya sighed and quickly got changed. As soon as he did up the last button on his pants, the harbinger walked out of the room.
“Ready to go?” Kaeya asked, a soft smile set on his lips.

Childe stood still for a moment, admiring how perfect he thought Kaeya looked. His heart pounded and he gulped. “Ready.”

And so they set out to go eat.

“Two plates of fisherman toast coming right up!” Sara beamed, handing the dishes to Kaeya.
“Thanks, Sara, you don’t disappoint!” The cavalry captain winked at her before taking a seat next to the ginger.
Childe wolfed down his food as Kaeya told him about the history of Good Hunter. He then checked the time and his face went pale.

“I have to go, fatui business yanno’? I hope we’ll be able to see each other before I have to leave. Thanks for being a great host, love.” The Harbinger smiled and placed a wad of mora on the table before rushing off.
Kaeya hummed in disbelief at the nickname but soon got up and paid Sara for their meals before starting his duties.

The next few days the two were so busy with their own respective tasks that they were unable to spend time with one another.

Occasionally Kaeya would spot Childe in the crowd doing his own thing and vice versa but they were unable to properly talk as they kept getting pulled away from each other. The distance between them grew and they started to crave each other's voices. Kaeya was no longer able to focus as his thoughts were filled with the cheeky ginger.

The Cavalry Captain found himself ranting away to Lisa in the library as she flipped through some books.

“Lisa, I just don’t know what to do! I can’t focus on anything else but his pink lips and blue eyes and sunset orange hair…” He huffed and took a sip of the tea Lisa made him.

“Sounds like you’re in love dear. Listening to you now and it sounds that way.” The librarian said smoothly, crossing her legs.

Kaeya denied the accusation, after all, they had only known each other for a little while and had only spent a day with one another. There was no way Kaeya was in love… Right?

A few hours later, deep into the night. Kaeya was laying on his bed, a million thoughts running through his mind. There was no way he was in love with a member of the Fatui, what would Diluc think?

What would Diluc think? Those words rang through Kaeyas head like an alarm before he got an idea.

Chapter Text

Kaeya hopped out of his bed with the great idea to ask Diluc what he thinks about this situation. His brother wasn’t working at Angels Share that night so the blueberry decided to set off to go bother him at Dawn Winery in the middle of the night.

The Cavalry Captain head towards Dawn Winery, encountering a few hilichurls on the way but nothing too bad that he couldn’t handle, then it started raining.

When Kaeya arrived he knocked on the door to the estate and in no more than 30 seconds, one of Diluc’s maids ‘Adeline’ answered. She stared at the soaked Favonius Knight for a few seconds before calling out to Master Diluc.

Diluc’s heavy footsteps echoed. There was no doubt that he had probably just woken up.

“Oops,” Kaeya whispered, as his older brother appeared in the doorframe.
“What do you want?” The Winery owner asked, his voice croaked.

“No need to be so harsh brother!” The cryo laughed nervously. “I need help, or advice maybe? You’re the only person I could think of, please..” Kaeya pleaded, his voice wavered. Although he didn't expect Diluc to let him in. their relationship wasn't the best and Kaeya knew it was selfish of him to ask.

Diluc stared for a moment before nodding his head, “come in.” he gestured his hands in a waving motion and silently told Adeline to bring a towel over. Kaeya spewed as many words of gratitude as he could before Diluc told him to shut up.

The Claymore user sat down at one of the tables in the mansion, graciously thanking his maid for the towel and throwing it at Kaeya. “Let’s get straight to the point, you know I’m not interested in idle chit chat. What do you need?”

Kaeya was silent for a moment before sitting down across from his brother. “I think I’ve fallen in love with someone but it’s really stupid because we’ve only known each other for like a day or so and everything is so frustrating.” Kaeya then unhurriedly patted his face with the towel he was provided.

“Kaeya get on with it. Who is this individual?” Diluc looked outside, the pitter-patter of the rain made Diluc think of the night Kaeya got his vision, shaking those thoughts out of his mind, Diluc turned back to face Kaeya who had a disconsolate expression on his face.

The sword user bit his lip. ‘Childe” Kaeya said softly, looking up at Diluc who was staring at him intently. There were a few moments of silence before Diluc spoke up.

“Listen, you know I hate the Fatui… But, I know you feel conflicted and as your…. Brother, I can only give you what I think would be best for you.” The ex-Favonius knight paused, trying to find the right words. Before Diluc could continue his sentence, Kaeya interrupted by muttering under his breath.

The redhead looked at the eyepatch wearer and narrowed his eyes, silently but firmly asking him to repeat the statement. Kaeya smiled weakly and told him to not worry about it but Diluc persisted and eventually, Kaeya gave in.

“I just said that if you know, killed me that day… None of this would’ve happened” The cavalry captain let out a weak laugh, trying to ease the situation. Diluc however, had a stern look on his face.

“You wanted me to kill you? Why!” The redhead’s voice got louder but his tone stayed soft.

“The guilt was eating me alive! If I didn’t come to Mondstadt with my father then so many problems could’ve been avoided! All I’ve done is be a burden.” Biting back tears, Kaeya shouted.

Diluc sighed, without a word he started walking toward his little brother and pulling him into a tight embrace. “You were never a burden, I let my grief and anger get ahold of me that day and I’m sorry.” The winery owner whispered, holding him tighter.

“Don’t say sorry, I’m the one who’s meant to say sorry.” Kaeya laughed again, this time it was filled with joy as he wrapped his arms around his adoptive brother.

Diluc grinned and let go of the hug. “Now, let’s go help you get that ginger.” Both brothers chuckled and they went back to conversing.