Ehe~

➳ KAEYA ⋆ at the tavern

Kaeya has invited you to join him at the tavern for some late night drinks. It was meant to be another intel gathering session, but the Captain chose to take his time and enjoy himself tonight.

He's the one who invited you to Angel’s Share after all, and Kaeya wants to know more about you. A person who doesn’t belong in Teyvat, unexpectedly showing up in Mondstadt and claiming that they’re from a faraway land? Sounds like him someone he knows, and he’s curious.

Most importantly, do you have any hidden agenda? Everyone has a secret, and you're no exception.

Excuses. He just wants to spend more time with you. But the Cavalry Captain doesn’t want to admit that. Chuckling to himself, since when has he become so interested in you?

Sure, you are interesting and you have your own unique charms. So carefree and honest, yet still full of surprises. He can’t help being drawn to you like a moth to the flame. Like Icarus to the Sun. All he can hope is his wings won’t melt and end up falling into the ocean that leads to his demise.

Maybe he can trust you, just a little bit.

Kaeya is a man who isn’t afraid to take risks after all.

“Thanks for inviting me, Kaeya!” “Heh, I’m more than happy to keep you company.”

Sitting on the bar stool, Charles is serving him the usual Death After Noon, and you opt for Apple Cider. You’ve always wanted to try it. It looks super tasty in game and oh boy! It tastes better than you expected! Is it because of the healing effect?

Bougie apple juice. Kaeya almost spits his drink and he bursts out laughing at your comment. Did you say that out loud?

But his laugh, it’s so boisterous and it makes your face all warm with happiness. He can't believe you just reduce Angel's Share's specialty drink into a simple apple juice. You start laughing with him, too.

Kaeya's always had this fake smile he wears on like a mask, but this laugh? It’s so genuine, and it looks so good on him. You thank whatever entity out there that blessed you with this rare and wonderful sight.

Chatting the night away and listening to the bard playing, you think to yourself

Kaeya is really fun to be around. He’s more chatty than you thought, because from what you know of the game, Kaeya is a mysterious man who reveals everything yet nothing about himself. Maybe it’s the alcohol’s doing.

He talks about Mondstadt, places he thinks are worth visiting, and even offers to accompany you on your journey. He explains that it's because there aren't much to do at the Knights, but you know very well that he just enjoys your company.

Then behind your backs, the music stops and the bard hypes everyone up, roaring that the next person he picks will perform a song for the crowd.

Turning his head around, Kaeya listens to the crowd's cheers, ‘Ah, it’s those singing nights again,’ he says to himself.

And the bard points at you. He eagerly drags you onto the stage.

Surprised, you look at Kaeya. The Cavalry Captain turns his body around to face you with his drink still in his hand. He looks surprised, too... if you squint hard enough.

Standing on the “stage” where Six-Fingered José would be at, you laugh nervously and tell the bard that you’re not prepared, but he only waves his hand and says that this is just for fun, and don't worry about messing up.

"Just sing whatever your heart desires! Good or bad!" He exclaims, then lends you his lyre. Not gonna lie, you look more awkward than you would like. Glancing around the room, Kaeya notices your discomfort. He tries his best to hide his frown. It would be bad if his special guest was put on the spot like this.

Putting his drink down, he walks up to you slowly and gingerly. The look in his eye, it's a shade of amusement and concern mixed together. Stepping close, he leans towards you, almost obscuring your view, and hoho boi, he’s awfully close.

“You don’t have to perform if you don’t want to.” Kaeya whispers into your ears and wow... his low breathy voice sends shivers down your spine, and you can feel the goosebumps forming on your arms... Do it again.

"I-it's alright," you stutter while trying to stop the blush from creeping into your face. He has never been this close before and if you weren’t aware of his flirty nature, your entire body would be on flames right now. How can a cryo vision holder do that? Looking into his eye, you can’t tell if he’s concerned or amused, but did he have to be so smooth? It was really nice when you read fanfics and the writers describe this kind of scene to you, but to actually experience it?

Intoxicating.

Breaking out of your thoughts, you clear your throat and continue, "I want to give this a try anyway."

Oh? He raises his eyebrows in surprise. That's a relief.

"Then go ahead, show me what you’ve got."

Then he walks back to his seat with a smile, the Captain is definitely amused now. It was subtle, but you noticed he said me, not us..? Him, not the patrons in the tavern... Performing a song for Kaeya? Ooo boi, you're now more nervous than ever. Feeling your hands sweating, it’s those pre-performance nerves creeping up.

Taking a deep breath to ground yourself, this ain’t your first rodeo, besties. You've participated in plenty of recitals before in your homeworld so this should be a piece of cake.

(Kaeya is watching the whole thing unfolds. Trying to suppress a smirk, he can’t help but think you look adorable.)

Bringing a stool to sit down, you begin examining the instrument. It’s like a harp you used to play but smaller. Warming up with some chords and familiarizing yourself with the instrument, you wonder what song you should play. There are so many to choose from, but there’s this one song you were obsessed with before getting teleported into Genshin. You’ve practiced and memorized its chords and melody by heart.

Ah, yes. I'll play that one.

Looking up and examining the tavern, everyone looks so eager and interested in what you’re about to perform.

All eyes are on you, but you’re looking at the bluehaired man who has captured your heart. You give him a smile, and he returns you one.

Bringing a hand to his chin, Kaeya wonders what kind of music are you going to play? A fun and upbeat one? Or would you opt for a silly made-up song that the previous performers he's seen would go for?

He will find out soon enough.

“Hi... I'm Y/N." You chuckle nervously and wave at the chattering crowd. "I uh- I'll be performing a song… It's about a man, though he loves his significant other dearly, he feels inadequate to receive their love. And he wonders if they still love him or not despite his flaws—"

And it isn't what he expected. His eye widens. A love song.

"—It's called… Line Without A Hook."

Strumming the lyre in chords, you take a deep breath, and begin to sing. The chatter dies down and the room is filled with nothing but music, and your voice.

Oh Archon, your voice.

It's so sweet, and so captivating.

The Cavalry Captain isn't a man who wavers easily. He has spent years building walls to protect himself, covering every weakness and vulnerability behind his flirty attitude and charming smile. He has vowed to never let anyone in because... who would love someone like him once they learn the truth? Who would love him for who he truly is; not a spy from a godless nation, nor the ever-so-charming Cavalry Captain of Mondstadt, but a little boy who just wants to feel loved and feel like he belongs somewhere?

Kaeya has come to the conclusion that he doesn't deserve such things long ago. Those things are out of reach, out of his league, not meant for him.

Just like the sun.

But the moment he hears you sing, you didn't just tug the strings of the lyre, but also the strings of his frozen heart. All those years of building walls yet they become undone in just a few minutes... It doesn't help that the context of the song... resonates with him.

Are you doing it on purpose? No… you don’t look like you are… in fact, you look so focus on playing and singing, blissfully unaware of your effects on him.

Kaeya feels a sudden wave of emotions. Strange, unfamiliar, but not unwelcomed. All of his muscles follow the highs and lows of the melody of your voice. He is lost in the ocean of his feelings when you are singing. He is lost in the sound of your voice.

Enchanting, is all he could think.

Since when has he become so interested in you? Kaeya doesn’t know, but he does know one thing:

'They're a keeper, Kaeya. They're special. I want you to treat them right,' says the tiny dancer in his eye.

It started out as gathering more information, digging secrets and finding the truth, but now Kaeya has a different objective: he wants to know you for… you. Not because you’re some outlander who hailed from somewhere beyond Mondstadt, but because he genuinely wants to know more about who you are as a person, and maybe… you can know more about him, too.

And before he knew it, the almighty Cavalry Captain has already flew too close to the sun. His wax wings have already melted and he has fallen... in love.

“I didn’t know you’re a musician?”

“Hehe, there’s a lot of things you don’t know about me, Captain.”

“Well—then... would you like to give me the honour to get to know you more?”

➳ DILUC ⋆ at his mansion

The first time Diluc met you, he thought you were a suspicious person who appeared out of nowhere in the woods. He saved you from a group of hilichurls, and you, of course, thanked him.

After what you can call a series of mildy intimidating interrogation, you explained to the redhaired man that you're from a faraway land not of Teyvat, and you were lost and somehow ran into the hilichurls.

Okay... very suspicious.

You talked about "artifacts" and "builds" that can help him become stronger. He didn't believe you at first, until he witnessed your "artifacts switching" magic in front of his eyes before he quickly went and hurled his flame at another nearby hilichurl camp. After the incident, the young Ragnvindr gave you the benefits of his doubt.

Although Diluc still had his guard up, he offered you to stay at his mansion anyway since you had no place to go. It's partially because he wants to keep an eye on you. Do you belong to some underground organization? Maybe the Abyss? Or perhaps you’re one of the Fatui in disguise and you’re here to spy on Mondstadt?

Keep your friends close, keep your enemies closer. Diluc ordered his people in Dawn Winery to keep an eye on you and report back to him. After observing you for the past few weeks, the cold and stoic Dawn Winery owner has come to a conclusion that you are a peculiar and eccentric person.

Just kidding, he deems that you pose no threat to Mondstadt nor him. You have no weapons nor a vision at all, and the only thing you have is this "magic" that only works on vision holders.

Also, you have a... funny way of expressing your speech? Diluc is unsure, but whenever he asks you about it, you casually answer that it's a vine reference.

What the archon is a "vine"? The only vines he knows are the one that his grapes grow on. It's always so funny seeing him so dumbfounded.

Over the course of time, Diluc has warmed up to your presence. Strangely, he finds you comforting to be around, and even the maids comment that mansion seems more lively than ever.

You don’t seem to put him on a pedestal like everyone else and you aren't afraid to call him out on his BS. And honestly, Diluc feels like he doesn't have to keep up with this perfection persona around you. He has never met anyone who is so honest and to be frank, a little naive and reckless before. But he's a gentleman, he would never say that out loud.

Though he leaves a few comments about despite finding you strange sometimes, he thinks you’re delightful to be around. Haha that's very nice of him, but under that eccentric persona of yours is someone who's freaking out, like omg it's Diluc Ragnvindr in the flesh! What's the better way to mask it than being weird, right?

He has invited you to accompany him on his trips, sometimes to the guild, most of the time to Mondstadt or the wild. He usually disappears at night, saying that there’re some business he must attend to. He doesn’t say what it is but you know it’s the Batman stuff. During those times, you would go to the music room and play the piano to pass your time.

Due to his impression of you being such a strange person who comes off so mischievous and cheerful, Diluc is pleasantly surprised when he comes home early from his Darknight duties tonight, just to find the music room still lit up and the sound of the piano playing.

'The maids and butlers have already retired for the night, who else would be here?' Diluc wonders, and then he remembers that he doesn't live alone anymore. You also live here, a strange and mysterious figure who appeared into his life out of nowhere and somehow was able to enliven it.

Taking his heavy coat and his gloves off, the redhaired's movements are slow and weary. His entire body feels sore and tired from juggling the wine industry and patrolling Mondstadt at night. It is his duty, but such duties can be so draining sometimes.

He lets out a heavy sigh, then unties his hair and quietly walks towards to the music room.

Through the peek of the door, he sees your figure. No wonder why his old dusty piano got cleaned recently by the maids, it's because you're using it. Diluc hasn't touched that piano for years ever since that incident and he leaves it there to collect dust. It just brings back too much memories of his family and how peacefully it used to be.

He didn't know that you can play the piano? Music notes are dancing around the room, and your body is swaying with the melody of the piece you’re playing. Totally oblivious to the pair of crimson eyes watching you.

The sight of you makes Diluc smile.

Wait, he... smiled? Since when was the last time the young Ragnvindr ever smiled?

It’s been so long, he can't even remember. After the events that have occured in the past few years with his father, his brother, the Knights and the Fatui, all the joy and hopefulness he once owned has left and abandoned him, leaving behind a shell of a person who is now distant, bitter, and cold.

Like how he abandoned that piano.

Then why is the sight of you playing it and enjoying yourself making him feel so... content? No—

Happy.

Happy... that's a word Diluc hasn't used for a while. Crossing his arms and looking down, does he even deserve to experience such a feeling? Happiness? Joyousness? To love and be loved? He laughs bitterly. Diluc Ragnvindr does not deserve such a thing.

Then he hears your voice. You're singing.

Looking up, he observes your face, taking notes of the little details he sees. The look you have is so different from what he’s known for the past few weeks. Your usual mischievous smile is now replace with something different. It’s wistful, as if you're yearning for something. He doesn't know what you're singing about, but there's a sense of longing laced in your voice. You're yearning for something, like how he's yearning for y—What? He inhales sharply, what was that thought? His own train of thoughts caught him off guard and… is the Dawn Winery owner... in love? Nonsense! Since when has he fallen in love? With you? No, that's not it—

Tripping over his own foot, he fumbles and falls towards the door. It flings right open and what follows it is the sound of crashing, different notes smashed together, interrupting the performance and creating an unpleasant harmony.

"Oh my g—Diluc!?"

"My apologies—! I didn't mean to startle you—"

He winces, from the impact of falling onto the floor or from accidentally frightening you? Possibly both. Master Diluc isn’t very graceful at the moment, is he? The ruckus caught the attention of some maids who are still awake, and they rushed down to find their master laying on the floor. His cheeks start to flush with embarrassment and he feels guilty.

It does not help that you’re now kneeling so close to him—

"Are you alright? Are you hurt?” You hands are touching his cheeks so lightly, but before Diluc could register it, you already replace it with your usual mischievous smirk. “I didn’t know the famous Master Diluc can be so clumsy?"

—and teasing him. You only call him Master Diluc when you’re teasing him. He can only groan in embarrassment and the shade of red on his cheeks deepens. He can hear the maids giggling before they leave, muttering something like “let’s leave Master Diluc alone with his lover”—Lover!? Also, how did you get here so fast?

“I-I’m fine—just—caught off guard. Sorry for scaring you.”

God, he is red like a tomato. Trying to not giggle, you decide to not tease him further out of fear that he would die of embarrassment. But you ask if he was standing there and listening to you playing this whole time, to which he replies by hiding his face in his hands and giving you a nod. Helping Diluc get back on his feet, you glance at the grandfather's clock. It’s only 9:58 PM. He’s usually home later or something.

"You're home early today?"

"Ah—there wasn't much to deal with,” coughing into his hand, Diluc busies himself by dusting of his clothes. The redhead is hanging on by a thread before he loses his composure, again. Archons, this is embarrassing. He changes the subject. “I didn't know you can play the piano?"

You laugh sheepishly. It's such a contrast from your usual upbeat personality. Tucking your hair behind you ear, you return to the piano seat and reply.

“Yeahhh I usually play it to pass my time.”

"What piece are you playing?" It sounds soothing. He closes the door and brings a chair closer, sitting next to the piano.

"It's a song and uh- I was just playing and practicing my singing. I learned from my homeland, it's called Line Without A Hook... It's my favourite song and I would play it all the time before I got—" Teleported into Genshin? You can't tell him that. "—lost here in Teyvat."

"Then may I ask what is this song about?"

Oh? He’s interested? Okay, one, you didn’t expect that. Two, he’s so attentive out of nowhere and it’s your turn to blush. Three, omg he lets his hair down. So pretty…

Usually, you would turn on your weird eccentric persona, but it’s already late at night and you’re tired. So you just shrug your shoulders and answer with sincerity.

“It’s uh- about a man who is in love, but because of his insecurities and fears, he feels like he isn't enough for his significant other. He feels like doesn’t deserve—“ His breath hitches. “—their love. But he cares for them deeply, and wonders if they still love him or not despite his flaws and shortcomings."

Chuckling to yourself, what a nice little ramble you gave him there. You turn to look at the redhead. Silence.

Did you say something wrong? No, you’re pretty sure you did not, but his silence is unusual. He’s leaning his back to the chair, and he looks… contemplative. Lost in his thoughts—Ah, he’s brooding again. Classic Diluc.

Diluc is a cautious man, you knew that. He's afraid to get closer to people just to lose them again, and you understand that. You would do anything to keep him away from his darkest thoughts and banish that ever present frown from his face.

So you put your hand on his to ground him, and in a soft tone, you ask.

“Hey… would you like to hear it?”

Taking a moment to recompose himself, he looks at your hand and nods in response.

Squeezing his hand a bit to reassure him, you retrieve yours and place it on the piano.

“Also, don’t laugh if I make a mistake, okay?” He chuckles at that and you give him a smile. Finally, you can see his face lights up again. As much as you enjoy teasing him, making Diluc smile is something you love doing the most.

Taking a deep breath, you let your fingers dance on the keyboard, and you start singing.

Your singing voice, he’s listening to it again. But this time, it’s clearer, and it’s so beautiful… he’s once again lost in your voice.

All of his emotions feel like explosions when you are around.

His salvation. His revival. Diluc can’t believe it, he understands why he’s in love now: it’s because of you. You have reignited the fire within him, but the fire he feels isn’t the same bone-eating flames that swear by vengeance or retribution. It’s warm. It’s inviting. It’s…

Home.

He’s home now. With you, with the old piano, and with new memories.

Diluc Ragnvindr is finally home.

"Would you like it if I play something for you, too?”

“Why so formal, Master Diluc? Of course I would love it when you play something for me.”