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“…and that just about covers everything.”
“Thank you, Kaeya. You’re dismissed,” Jean replied with a gentle smile.
He rose from the chair he was sitting in across from her desk. They were always so comfortable. They almost made giving reports worth it.
Turning around in front of the door, he conversationally asked Jean, “So, does our illustrious Acting Grandmaster have any plans for this evening?”
She opened her mouth to reply, but was interrupted by Lisa walking in, carrying a few books in one hand and readjusting her ponytail with the other. “Hey, Kaeya,” she greets cheerfully.
Her eyes immediately turn to Jean, and then to the ever present pile of paperwork on her desk. “Jean, dear. Why don’t you take a break for a few minutes? It’s not like that pile is going anywhere, right?”
“Lisa,” Jean starts, “I appreciate it, but I don’t think I can stop right now. There’s this letter I have to respond to-”
“…Which won’t immediately appear in the sender’s hands as soon as you sign your name at the bottom. Just for a moment, I promise.”
She sits in the chair that Kaeya was just in and pats the one next to it. “Even when you’re done, I’ll stay right here until you finish for the night. Okay, love?”
Jean reluctantly stands and moves to sit beside Lisa. Kaeya notices that one of the books that Lisa brought was a newly published romance novel. He smiles softly.
“I’ll take my leave now, you two. I will say though Lisa, I’m not sure why you brought another romance novel here when one’s playing out right before my eyes..”
Hearing his words, Lisa chuckles and Jean blushes. He leaves them together, voices carrying through the ajar door.
~~~~~
The Knights of Favonius building was unsurprisingly quiet at this time, with many of its occupants already home for the evening, probably with someone special, he thought.
Kaeya made to leave as well, trying not to walk too quickly after being dismissed for the day. With some greetings from those he passed in the halls, Kaeya stepped outside.
He took a deep breath at the feeling of being outside again without the responsibilities of work being on his shoulders, feeling the cool breeze on his face.
Where to now? Rosaria had said something about being stuck with church duties tonight the last time they had gone to Angel’s Share together, and he wasn’t in the mood to drink by himself at the moment.
He absentmindedly walked towards the Statue of Barbatos as he thought.
Albedo was off in the mountains again for an extended research trip, so he couldn’t pick his brains about any of his discoveries right now. Even one of his… unique drawings would have been intriguing to try deciphering.
Kaeya liked those two. While not particularly close to either of them, being around Rosaria and Albedo was comforting in a strange way.
He sat at one of the benches near the statue, looking beyond the city.
Albedo spoke a lot about his discoveries and time up in Dragonspine. His words often went over Kaeya’s head, but his passion was obvious, in his own way.
Rosaria was sharp tongued, but he liked her honesty despite her keeping her cards as close to her chest as he did. She made a great drinking partner, and the fun they got up to once in a while was great too.
Even Lisa was busy. Imagine that, he thought with a laugh. He wasn’t totally joking about what he said earlier; the two were an adorable couple right out of a novel.
He watched a small crowd of people gathering around that familiar bard in the green beneath the statue, his song reaching him from all the way at his bench. He truly was quite talented.
Another gentle breeze picked up. It smelt faintly of flowers. He took another deep breath. He was alone at the moment, but he didn’t feel truly lonely.
He smiled as two men started dancing together to one of the bard’s more upbeat songs. They looked happy. He felt proud to be protecting that happiness, though he would never say it out loud seriously.
He used to think it was a curse, another thing that Khaenri'ah had attempted to take from him; fated to only enjoy the physical pleasures but nothing beyond them. But as he grew, and after a few conversations with Rosaria, he knew there was nothing wrong with him.
Those connections weren’t for Kaeya. And he enjoyed that fact. He felt at ease on his own. He felt complete on his own.
~~~~~
Kaeya had continued sitting on his bench, listening to the bard’s songs, when he saw a certain blonde traveler approaching him.
Aether gave an energetic wave to Venti, who responded with an equally bright smile, but he headed straight towards Kaeya, to his surprise.
“Oh? I hadn’t expected you back in Mondstadt for quite some time, Aether. What brings you?” Kaeya asked with his usual playful words.
Aether grinned. “You, obviously.”
Kaeya couldn’t help but return his enthusiasm with a smile of his own, “Is that so? Forward as always.”
Aether sat down next to him and started recounting his and Paimon’s adventures in Fontaine. Kaeya felt himself vividly picturing Aether’s words. His stories were always so intriguing to listen to, but the way he told them was so captivating.
“Kaeya?”
Aether was looking at him, probably asking a question. He coughed, “Sorry, I missed that. I just got lost in you again. You always look so beautiful when you’re storytelling, that’s all.”
Aether blushed and scratched the back of his head with a gentle chuckle. “No, I’m sorry. I got a little carried away there. You’re a great listener, you know. And the stories you make up are almost as crazy as mine.”
Kaeya put a hand to his heart in mock offense. “ Me? Make up things? How could you say something so hurtful?” They both laughed at that.
Aether was different, somehow. He felt the same ease when he was talking to Lisa, Albedo and Rosaria. He didn’t have to keep his facade up for long with him.
Aether teased him about his deflections and pretty words, but didn’t push him further. He listened when he finally wanted to open up and he never changed how he treated him, even when he learnt more about Khaenri'ah.
He felt like there were no expectations with Aether. It was comfortable.
The two eased into a comfortable silence, listening to the bard’s final songs.
~~~~~
“So, where’s your favorite travel companion right now?”
“At our inn room. Somebody overestimated herself in an eating contest earlier, so I left her there with a note in case I’m not back by morning.”
Kaeya turned to look at Aether. “Is that so? I never would’ve expected that.”
He chuckled, a fond smile on his face. “Trust me, it’s not the first time it’s happened. Besides, I wanted to talk to you about something anyway.”
Kaeya felt uncharacteristically cold.
He’s heard that before. The morning after nights with someone he found attractive. After helping someone while at work.
He turned them all down, of course. He didn’t know what they expected of him. He didn’t know if he could provide them with the kind of love they deserved.
Seemingly reading his expressions, Aether reached out a hand.
“It’s nothing like what you’re thinking, trust me, I understand too.”
That surprised Kaeya. Was he also…?
“I’ve been to so many worlds, and met lots of people. Some were really beautiful, and while we had fun together, nothing ever clicked for me.”
Kaeya took his hand, which made Aether’s expression brighten as he continued speaking.
“I had a hunch that you were the same way, Kaeya. That’s why it’s so easy to talk to you.”
“I am. I feel the same way about you, Aether. It’s… easy talking to you. I don’t feel like there’s any expectations or rules to follow with you.”
Aether stood up suddenly, Kaeya following right after.
“I’m glad, really. In that case, I have so many more stories to tell.”
Kaeya grinned and wrapped an arm around Aether’s shoulders into a side hug, which he reciprocated.
“Well then, I have a bottle of wine at home that I’ve been meaning to enjoy, along with some grape juice that’s been sitting there for a day or two.”
“But I thought you didn’t like grape juice?”
“Oh I don’t. I do keep some around in case a certain honorary knight comes to visit though..”
Aether’s arm tightened around where it was on Kaeya’s waist. “I think I’ll take you up on that.”
The two then left the square together, towards Kaeya’s home.
Kaeya didn’t need any love. Neither did Aether. That didn’t matter to them though. A quick drink together alongside a story or two, or wherever else the night took them was all they needed.
They were happy.