#kaevember

Jean sounds plausible, he thinks. His friendship with the Acting Grand Master has spanned many years. Diluc could be a contender, but Kaeya doubts he'd go through all the trouble to invite so many people. Albedo, that incredibly talented alchemist, isn't even present. Well, he was, for a while, but the point stands.

The banners glisten as they catch the tavern lights, painting the surroundings in bright hues of blue, yellow, and purple. In a crowded party thrown for him, he finds himself in his own bubble yet again.

Hmm.

Where were you? You were one of the first to greet him earlier, but you aren't present at any of the tables now.

He glances up to the tavern's balcony. Right. He remembers you don't like crowds, but you have the decency to stay through the whole party. What better way than to be in the quiet?

“You haven’t picked up a single glass,” the Traveler comments, suddenly appearing beside Kaeya. “Are you okay?”

Kaeya clutches his chest. "You caught me off-guard, Traveler." Kaeya chuckles breathily, then flashes his signature smile at the ever-observant Honorary Knight. “What do you mean I haven’t picked up a single glass? You were probably looking at someone else. I’m fine.”

They raise an eyebrow. “You seem like you're zoning out.”

"I don't know what you're talking about," Kaeya teasingly flicks their forehead. "I think the alcohol is getting to you. Diluc was right, you're too young to drink!"

The Traveler heaves a sigh, showing their glass. "It's cider, birthday boy."

"Okay, you win." Kaeya laughs—mostly at himself than them—and puts his hands up. "Would you happen to know who threw the party?"

The Traveler, a few hours prior, was the one who brought Kaeya to the tavern. It was a clever distraction, and Kaeya would hand it to them. He would never deny the Traveler's request to go around slaying nearby monsters, especially as it was rare for them to come home to Mondstadt. While there was a growing suspicion in Kaeya's gut, he didn't expect the people close to him to greet him at Angel's Share.

"I think you already know that, Kaeya." The Traveler smiles.

Kaeya takes a glass of wine from Charles as he passes by. He swirls it then takes a sip, its warmth traveling through his fingers and to his chest. More knights pat him on the back in greeting, clinking their glasses against his.

Vision slightly dazed and brain buzzing from the alcohol, Kaeya heads towards the balcony to get fresh air. Perhaps he'll see you there.

Behind him, you rise from a quiet corner in the second floor as he ascends the stairs.

The air outside the tavern is much colder than inside, making your cheeks flush at the temperature change. For one, you aren’t very accustomed to alcohol, and while you know Diluc offers non-alcoholic beverages, you thought it would be a good time to try it out anyway.

You're sure Kaeya heard your footsteps. His body visibly relaxes when you appear in his vicinity.

“Stalker,” Kaeya accuses, voice teasing. “You followed me out immediately.”

Quick with the banter. You stick your tongue out at him. “Is it a bad thing to follow my dearest friend out here when he’s looking so alone?”

His eyebrows scrunch. “Why would I be lonely when you’re here with me?”

“Exactly.”

He lets out a light chuckle before finishing the wine in his hand. He brings his gaze to the city below him. The streets are quiet now, the only source of noise coming from the tavern.

You consider Kaeya to be one of your good friends. Before being assigned to guard the Favonius Library (and consequently taking over some of Lisa's paperwork, much to your annoyance), you were one of the strategists under Kaeya's team. You often exchanged some heated quarrels: Kaeya's reckless behavior of putting himself in danger conflicted heavily with your attempts to keep everyone safe on a mission, including him.

Contrary to what you know of him—someone used to being alone—he highly enjoys your company. He’s seen you train under him for a long time, but you chose a more laid-back path after all the action. He wishes you stayed, of course, but he knows your happiness comes first.

"Are you enjoying, Captain?" You ask in the comfort of the silence. His glass still had wine.

"I didn't think so many people would gather," he admits in an almost somber voice—anyone who didn't know him would have missed it. "At most, the other captains, perhaps. I think I saw Bennett with Razor and Fischl drinking juice." He smiles at that.

"I tried to bring as many people as we can," you smile, setting down your own sangria glass on a nearby table. "We've been planning this for a month or two—"

"You?" His eyebrows raise, eye sparkling in the moonlight. There's almost a glow around him. "You planned all this?"

You tap your fingers on your thigh under his gaze—nervous. "Oh, yeah. Diluc and Jean helped a lot. So the credit goes to them too."

Kaeya has never felt more drunk. The warm glow in his chest spreads through his body, his cheeks a rosy hue under the cold Mondstadt air. He didn't want to name the feeling, so he coughs despite himself.

"All for your former Captain?"

"All for my dearest friend." You roll your eyes.

The wind brings you closer together. He removes his coat and drapes it over your shoulders without a word. You catch his scent—cedarwood and floral musk—and instinctively draw it towards yourself.

He has never opened up about his past. You don't think he has to. To you, picking up on context clues and his mannerisms mattered more than him having to verbalize them. You know that a rift between him and his brother occurred, and you know that it involves something he may be unable to disclose. Whether he tells the truth or not does not matter. His actions tell far more than anything.

"Happiness looks good on you, Kaeya. I hope it's always that way." You whisper, leaning on his shoulder. You feel him stiffen slightly, before you feel his hand on your head.

"I am happy." He quips back, but you can't help but feel how it masks something hidden.

"Whatever you say, pretty boy." You laugh, standing up to look at his reaction. Surely enough, Kaeya's cheeks glowed bright under the gaze of the moonlight. A startled expression is plastered on his face.

"Hey, are you drunk?" He sputters, incredulous. "I know I look good, but that was out of nowhere."

"Let me compliment you." You say, reaching to hug him around his waist. You love showing your affection this way, and Kaeya doesn't seem to mind. In fact, you find him wanting more of it sometimes. You wonder if he just wanted warmth, or a bit more. "Besides, I only had one glass of wine that's not as sweet as you."

He nearly chokes, shaking his head. "You," he pokes your nose, "are incredibly bold tonight."

"Learned from the best." You stick your tongue out at him once more.

As midnight hues swirl with the ever-watchful glow of the moon and stars, you and Kaeya swing side to side to the tavern's music behind you. Your drinks, both half-full, are forgotten on the table beside you. May you never be alone, Kaeya, you think. Dandelion seeds flutter in the wind as you make your wish, into the hands of the Anemo Archon.

For once, after a long time, Kaeya is at peace.

note: i was sick on kaeya day, i couldn't get it out :') here it is!