Crimson Petals Genshin Impact Fanfic Oneshot

(A/N: Yo what’s up guys!? After so many years I’m actually back and instead of working on my WIP here I am uploading something for a brand new fandom!? Crazy right? Anyway here’s my first Genshin Fanfiction, it’s the first one I’m writing after so many years, I rushed this due to watching the recent trailer on repeat, I really hope I get Albedo!

Key:

~~~ Indicates Flashback start/end.

### Indicates a flashback within a flashback

*Indicates a note related to this section at the end)

“I’m just saying to be careful.”

“I’m always careful.”

Albedo gave a stern glare. “I don’t doubt your capabilities in terms of strength; it’s your magnetism towards getting into dangerous situations that concerns me.”

Kaeya smirked happily. “Oh? You worry about me?”

Albedo looked away. “I’ve announced this to all the knights at the meeting, had you not needed to sleep off your hangover I wouldn’t have the need to come over and tell you directly. It’s a simple matter as that, nothing more.”

“Hmm…maybe I should get drunk more often?”

Albedo tutted and started making his way towards the door. “We still don’t know who or what took my notes or for what purpose, but I doubt their intentions were innocent, had they wanted to gain knowledge, one only needs to ask me and I’d happily teach them.”

“I see.” Kaeya crossed his arms and began stroking his chin thinking of reasons why someone would go to the effort of hiking up a freezing mountain just for some notes.

“Also-“ Kaeya looked back towards the door, Albedo pausing with his hand on the doorframe. “I do. I do care for you Kaeya, just…just be careful okay? Due to my recent studies it seems they target vision holders and their original aim.”

Before Kaeya could respond Albedo had snuck away. Hmm there he goes again, slips in and out whenever he pleases just like a house cat.

~~~

“So you and Eula seem to have been working really hard.” Kaeya began teasing the younger girl and patting her head.

Amber huffed, pouting as she did so. “Kaeya-“

“Ah-ah! What did I say about your Gliding Licence? Do you want me to renew it or not?” He swished his finger around in the air, irritating Amber who was trying to land at least one kick at him.

“Rahh.” She grumbled. “Oh my dear Captain-“ The words being spat out like fire from her mouth. “Not everyone can be as free with their time as a Calvary Captain without any horses, so we have to enjoy any time we get!”

Kaeya ignored the remark and she stuck her tongue out at him. I’m the Quartermaster too but everyone seems to forget that. Kaeya wondered. He looked around at the scene, the eerie sight of the bridge and safest entrance to Dragonspine now covered with snow-…well Kaeya couldn’t really described them as snowmen as it seemed Eula, Amber, Joel and apparently the Traveller and Paimon had been designing many creation of various snow…creatures. Ranging from cute little snow bunnies on the floor the size of his shoe to taller, creepier versions of snow hillichurls, Baron Bunny, and what looked like various attempts of more traditional snowmen with gaudy decorations. Apparently Albedo said nothing of this and even gifted the traveller a painting of Paimon floating and patting snow into place of one of their snow…snowbeings. Celestica knows where they got the decorations from though. Albedo had given the Traveller another sword and Kaeya wondered if this exchange was some sort of ‘Secret Santa’ situation every year.

Amber not approving of Kaeya’s grimace towards their designs made a quick turnaround, knowingly hitting Kaeya with her red winter scarf as she spun around.

Kaeya said nothing. Instead he turned around to Joel, the little boy currently rolling around in the snow.

“Joel is this true?”

Joel surprised at being asked a question simply hummed at wonder. Amber gave a quick but quiet eep of sound and started nodding and waving her hands behind Kaeya.

Kaeya continued. “Joel is what Amber said true? Does a person really need to spend their time with…with this, instead of doing work?” He gestured to the area around them, but didn’t turn around to meet the gaze of Amber who he knew was attempting to gain the little boys attention.

“Uhhh…well…” Joel started off sadly, hands behind his back and twirling a foot in the snow, but then caught Amber’s sight and perked up. “Well yes?” He spotted a confirmed nod. “Yes? Oh yes!”

“Because?”

“Because?...Ah well…” The little boy leaned his body to see what Amber was trying to mouth out, and then said in a steady tone. “Because it’s fun!”

Kaeya seemed satisfied with his response. He tussled the little boy’s hair. “I see.” He laughed. “Go on, I think Chef Harris has a new batch of soup, go warm up. You too Amber, I’m trust you and Eula have shared a meal together before?”

Amber elbowed Kaeya right under his corset. “Come on Joel!”

Joel started deflating sadly. “Oh but I still want to wait for Daddy…”

Amber and Kaeya shared a knowing glance. Amber not knowing what to do let Kaeya take the lead, he was better with children after all - Amber due to her personality even counted as a child in some ways still. Kaeya knelt down to Joel’s height. “Joel the best part of being a kid is making so many fun memories. All these snowmen look so amazing, but if you want to remember and tell your dad about it you better go warm up with some Goulash and quick!”

“Hmm but why?”

Kaeya grabbed the little boy’s shoulders and gave a serious look. “The cold will freeze right into your brain and give you brain freeze, then your head will be frozen and with nothing to warm you up your body will start to freeze and then you become stuck and THEN you start freezing more from the inside and become a snowman, you’ll be stuck forever until Spring arrives.”*

“That-That’s a lie!”

“Nope, you can trust me, see?” He let him go and tapped on the glass of his Vison. “I have a Cryo Vision so I know more about these things.”

Joel absolutely horrified grabbed Amber’s hand and ran back to the camp. Amber gave Kaeya a rude gesture and Kaeya simply laughed it off.

Kaeya gave a final look at the snow creatures. A fond childhood memory starting to haze into his head.

~~~

“Diluc you little menace, help your brother back up!” Crepus chortled gently at the two boys. Diluc had just pushed Kaeya over the log they were sitting on while being distracted trying to catch snowflakes with their tongues. Thankfully, both boys were bundled up in puffy coats far too big for them so whatever falls the boys had, didn’t harm them in the snow. Diluc pouted at his father.

“But Father he snuck his slingshot out and it’s not fair! If he gets to carry that I should get to carry my sword or at least my bow it’s just fair I’m older I-“

Crepus signalled to Diluc to stop ranting. “My, my boys…are you not big boys now? Can you not share? …Ah Kae are you alright?” Crepus started panicking when his young ward hadn’t appeared back up from behind the log Diluc pushed him off.

“Emmm Makai.” A soft grumble.

“Kae?”

A pop of bright blue hair surrounded by snow perked up. Kaeya pushed his hair out of his face and wiped snow out of his mouth. “Ayah ee me saih-“ a pause before taking a big breath in. “-OKAI!” The sentence echoed off the snow around them. Crepus laughed out loud, Kaeya had started to become more vocal since being found at the manor, the language barrier being a big problem at first - whatever language Kaeya barely spoke in - but he had improved a lot and know could nearly speak fluent Teyvatian, though his missing teeth and generally…well, being a small child, Kaeya did still have the habit of missing out words, even more so whenever he was overwhelmed. As a father himself, Crepus knew to be patient with him, Diluc had just grown out of his stutter when Kaeya arrived but even Diluc still messed up the pronunciation of words, not surprising only being a year or so older than Kaeya after all. **

Kaeya started leaning his whole little body on the log trying to sit back up, at the age they were now; the fallen tree was much larger than the both boys. Before Crepus could make a move, Diluc had already helped him climb up safely and started brushing the snow off his hair with such trained delicacy. Kaeya hadn’t been with the family for very long, but Diluc had adapted to the role of being a brother without Crepus even asking him too.

###

A few days after his arrival, Crepus had asked his son why he cared so much for Kaeya, was it simply just training to be a caring knight? Crepus remembered the shock in the young boy’s face, Diluc grabbing locks of his hair and raising his voice. Diluc not a child to have cried much in his young life, Crepus was stunned seeing him this way. Once calmed down, Diluc had begun to explain that he had waited so long for a little brother and that during that wait he had read books on how to be open to people, training himself on how to be a good big brother as well as a knight, even claiming to exchange his Vision for a chance of finding a sibling- even a sister if that’s all they had left.***

###

Diluc helped secure Kaeya up onto the log, then took a few steps back and ran towards the spot next to him jumping and landing in a swift manner. Kaeya clapped approvingly.

“Yaya you still have snow here.”

“Where Lu?”

Diluc started pointing towards Kaeya’s back, but the younger wasn’t able to turn his body to look around without losing his balance on the log.

Crepus started noticing Diluc warming up his gloved hand with Pyro and about to apply it to Kaeya’s coat to melt the snow.

“Ah-ah-ah! Diluc no!”

Both boys froze at their father’s voice; his tone never rose into a high pitch so they both knew it was serious when it went like that. Kaeya not knowing why started getting watery eyes, thinking whatever happened was his fault. Diluc pouted.

“No I’ll take care of him!” Diluc started standing on the log, daring his father to come closer.

Crepus took just a few steps, being much bigger than the boys the snow didn’t mount up high on his legs like it did to the young boys. He grabbed Diluc who started fumbling around to get away and placed him gently onto the patch of snow, starting to sink into its depth. Still huffing away but safe, Crepus made his way to Kaeya, who didn’t cause a fuss and allowed the contact, one swipe of his broad hand brushed the snow away and readjusted his eyepatch.

That day, Crepus taught the boys a much safer way of playing in the snow, building snowmen without the need of pushing each other into the snow or covering pebbles in snow and using slingshots.

~~~

“I WILL HAVE VENGENCE!”

Kaeya flinched at the scream, ah so Amber had reported to Eula already. “Now Eula-“

Kaeya had no chance to retort before Eula swung her claymore towards him. Kaeya backed off as much as he could before his foot reached the banks of the river, Albedo had Dragonspine off limits while the Knights were still clearing things up so he knew he would be in more trouble if he ran that way.

“Eula.” Laughing away with his hands out in innocence. “My, my what nasty words fell upon your ears that you have to raise a weapon at a fellow Captain?”

Eula blushed, one hand grabbing the claymore still the other twirling in her hair. “Ah about me and Amber, well-“

‘Oh so not about Joel?’ She didn’t get a chance to finish before Kaeya started laughing at her. “That’s all? Goodness if you’re going to be mad at me then find a better reason!” Kaeya then promptly threw a snowball at Eula’s face tripping over his own feet and onto his back in the snow but avoiding the water, she spun around on one foot and blocked it elegantly with her claymore, she was about to raise it above her head with a smile just as Kaeya laughed once more grinning with all his teeth and began to materialise his sword.

A fireball melted the snowball swung back by Eula’s claymore. Both Captains stunned in shock looked at each other.

“Ah well, we’re both still Cryo Captain’s right?” Kaeya unhelpfully joked.

Eula turned to her side to see the source of the fire. She had no words to explain her shock.

Kaeya, who was still on the ground, had his sight covered by a dark fur lined coat with gold trimmings. A black and red gloved hand bracing the air in protection behind him was facing Kaeya.

Kaeya knew this person.

“D-Diluc?”

Diluc turned around with a swift turn of his neck, his body still facing Eula. He had his other hand facing the ground in front of the space between himself and Eula, pyro starting to be applied in a ball in his hand. Diluc grunted to Kaeya in response then faced Eula dead on.

“W-wait Diluc!” Kaeya frantically began to get up from the ground, stepping in towards him in front of Eula. “Ah, we just get like this from time to time; really this is just a friendly fight!”

Eula nodded at the Raginvinder who seemed blank in return, he gazed at Kaeya expectantly, as if waiting for more information, Diluc seemed to become bored and gently swayed his balance of his body foot to foot, or perhaps due to the Sheer Cold. “Ah, the Cavalry Captain just played a prank, that’s all.” Diluc not bothered to check his gloves, simply stared. “Ah…right…Captain?”

Diluc seemed frustrated then after a pause, repeated in a low voice. “Hmm…well…Captain?”

Kaeya lowered his hands to his side, closed his eyes and took a breath. Eula, noticing what happened, attempted to place a friendly hand to his shoulder but Kaeya waved her off. “It’s alright, let me handle this.” He muttered quietly to her as she sent her off back to Camp. He looked at Diluc who was still waiting for a response. Kaeya sighed again then took a step closer to him. “Well it’s not the first time a prank of mine went sideways huh?”

Diluc huffed. “I still have to look after you it seems.”

“Ah, I had the situation under control.”

“I see that.”

Kaeya burrowed his eyebrows. “It’s not like the time I switched Adelaide’s sugar supplies with salt…I have to write this up to Jean, come with me?”

“I’m heading back that way anyway, no need for you to assist me.”

“Oh I see…and what was Master Diluc doing here at the edges of Dragonspine?”

Diluc gave him a glare.

Kaeya continued. “Spying on me perhaps?”

Diluc muttered something under his breath. “Think whatever you want, I’m just here because I heard trouble.”

Kaeya hummed and the two said nothing more to each other while walking back to Camp. Passing through, Eula was whispering something to Amber who was nodding in response. She nodded at Kaeya, who waved back. “Diluc and I are heading back to the city; tell me if Albedo sends word about anything else.”

“You have my word Sir! Outriders duty!” Amber saluted enthusiastically.

“I’ll need your assistance later, but for now both of you keep an eye out for any suspicious characters, we still need to find that thief, understood?”

Amber nodded and Kaeya left the Camp and walked with Diluc back towards the City.

It was a few minutes later they passed the road where it splits, past the hill one could easily see the Winery, yet they both continued towards the city. After a while Kaeya got uneasy with the silence.

“Hey, Diluc?”

Diluc stopped walking, as did Kaeya a few steps in front of him.

“Diluc I lied.”

Diluc crossed his arms over the other.

“Oh? That’s bad.”

Kaeya turned towards him. “’That’s bad’ is that it?”

“What more do you want me to say?”

“Well…I don’t know I just expected you to yell at me.”

“What did you lie about?”

“Hmm?”

“I asked...What did you lie about?”

“Oh well…” Kaeya looked at a point in the sky, subtly glaring at Celestica, then towards the Winery in the distance. “My foot.”

Diluc seemed unimpressed but it was a change to the usual scowl on his face so Kaeya continued. “My foot got wet in the water, and I started to feel the impact of Sheer Cold, I guess I would have been in danger if you hadn’t just popped up out of nowhere.”

Diluc stepped closer to Kaeya. “Well that’s not the worst I’ve heard from you. So come on, let’s get going.”

“Oh?”

Diluc nudged him forwards. “Head to the City.” Then gave a soft smile. “I’m here now to take care of you.”

“Oh.”

The rest of the way was peaceful until a weasel surprised Kaeya which made him squeak and trip up from a root from the Windrise Tree. Diluc in a rage started throwing pyro balls at it, though the grass around them was now burned, the weasel – which Kaeya swore had a mora pouch on its back – was unharmed and ran into a dirt hole.

“I’m sure that thing wouldn’t have hurt me, I’ve been hurt by tougher things y’know?” Kaeya pouted at the mess.

“Then maybe you should watch where you’re going, the way you reacted I thought it was a monster.”

“It’s not like I screamed.”

Diluc rolled his eyes at that. “Captain I’m here now just focus okay?”

Kaeya brushed off soil off his jacket and resumed to walking the rest of the way with a focused glare on any roots hidden under the dirt road.

Kaeya led the way back to the City, crossing the bridge carefully not to scare away Timmy’s pigeons and received the salutes from the guards. Diluc simply ignoring them all.

Reaching the steps by the Katherine both men stopped at the sound of a voice.

“Sir Kaeya! By hark pray tell what the propitiation is for severing the glacial summit?”

“She’s wondering why Dragonspine is under restriction.”

Kaeya chuckled at Fischl and Oz. “Ah that story is a long one, one better told over a warm drink, we’ll head over to the Cat’s Tail and I’ll tell you all about it.”

“Warm? Cat’s Tail?”

“Sir Kaeya.” Diluc warned.

“Alright, alright, I still have work to do isn’t that right? I’ll head to headquarters and you can-“

“No I’ll go with you.” Kaeya seemed stunned for words so Diluc continued. “You have cuts on your arms, you didn’t notice? At least let me oversee your health, can’t have Sir Kaeya falling ill now can we?”

Kaeya motioned to Fischl and Oz. “I guess we’ll go see Barbara then, and check up on Bennett while I’m there. Is there any message you want to send to him?”

Fischl looked at the two then spoke. “We’ll be fine…we have another place to be?”

Kaeya nodded and the two went off to start another adventure. He looked at Diluc who hadn’t made a move.

“The Church is this way, let’s go.”

Both men started off towards the Church.

“By the way…” Again Diluc didn’t mutter or huff, so Kaeya continued. “You didn’t notice anything weird about Fischl?”

This took Diluc off guard, he started to brace himself. “You think she’s one of those Whop-“

“Oh no not that.” He smiled. “It’s just that when she’s off guard she speaks like a normal girl, it’s pretty cute actually.” Kaeya led the way to the Church, Diluc rolling his eyes.

At the Church Barbara was pretty busy healing everyone with the rest of the Sisters, the incident in Dragonspine, which thankfully turned out not as bad as everyone was initially thinking, still caused enough trouble that the Church was full of people weakened over minor cuts and bruises. Rosaria gave a glare towards Diluc as they entered, which was ignored. Rosaria gave a questioning glance towards Kaeya who blew a kiss at her and shrugged.

“What? I need to see Barbara?”

Rosaria was unimpressed. “What happened fractured an eyelash?”

Kaeya laughed embarrassingly. He had earlier abused the system (previously one only needed to say they were ill and a bed was given to them) and managed to take a few days off work claiming he was hurt, yet was kicked out by Rosaria when she found out what reason Kaeya had given.

“Just be sure you know what you’re doing this time, or you know don’t, I’ll gladly kick you out again.”

Diluc began to glare at her threat, placing a hand on Kaeya as he knelt on a free bench. Kaeya kneeled into the touch with great ease and sighed. Diluc ruffled his hair and moved away as he saw a certain hydro user approach.

“Just stay away from the communion wine this time.” Rosaria warned, before leaving to help victims from the event. Kaeya winked at her as she walked away.

“Oh Sir Kaeya!” Barbara’s happy voice always echoed throughout the Church. If she noticed Diluc’s antics she didn’t say anything and wordlessly began to heal Kaeya’s few knicks and bruises, it wasn’t much so didn’t need to take long, Kaeya muttering something Diluc couldn’t hear. After Kaeya was healed, she made her way towards Diluc who was rubbing his head with both hands.

“Master Diluc?” A gentle voice but no response.

It was Kaeya’s turn. “Diluc.”

“What?” Diluc gave a gruff reply. Kaeya sighed and Barbara attempted to come closer, Diluc was having none of that. “I’m fine, it was just him. If he’s okay we’ll be going now.” Diluc grabbed Kaeya’s hand and allowed himself to be led away. Barbara just hummed a tune and waved goodbye.

“Is there anything else?”

Kaeya thought for a moment. “Diluc.” He checked to see if Diluc was listening, he was. “Diluc I really love this city. I’ve made my place here. It’s peaceful.”

Diluc hummed.

“Luc, they found the Whopperflower imposter, Barbara said Bennett gave a statement that a Albedo mimic was involved. How sad. I should have been there; I would know the difference between him and an imposter within seconds.”

“Is there a point to this or do you enjoy the sound of your voice?”

Kaeya paused at that. Not having a witty remark to respond with. He looked at the man in front of him. “Diluc…Call me by my name.”

Diluc smirked. “Kaeya.”

Kaeya gave a smile. “Honestly…” He gave a short series of empty ghostly laughs. “It’s stupid to feel so happy over this. To have to ask my brother to do this.”

Diluc frowned. “Are you not happy? I’m trying my best here you know.”

Kaeya didn’t say anything but led the way down the steps of the Church towards the main upper square of the city, signalling to the knights outside the Church.

The sun was beginning to set in the city; Kaeya would need to report in to start his night patrol, though they still had a while before the night came. They walked over towards the statue of the Anemo Archon; Kaeya knelt down and grabbed a stem of Dandelions left as tribute by one of the citizens. No nuns were around, but few children were happily spending the last few bits of sunlight before being scattered off back home, bards were even heading out and trailing towards the Angel Share’s Tavern for drinks. Somewhere in the back row of benches he swore he could hear Venti’s lyre.

“Do you remember the first time I held a Dandelion Luc?”

Diluc said nothing.

Kaeya gently blew on the puffball, the seeds scattering away and coming to a stop along with the music on the wind. Kaeya caught sight of the sad look on Venti’s face, but nodded wordlessly, in return Venti resumed to lying back down on the bench, not playing but simply observing the sight of the city below.

“You told me to blow gently but I didn’t understand and I ended up putting the whole bud in my mouth and you and Father had to wash out my mouth, I was so scared of every flower from then on.” Kaeya felt Diluc shuffle irritated. “But then we had that picnic by the river back home and you showed me Mist Flowers and Calla Lilies that grew nearby, do you remember that Dilly?...Call me brother.”

Diluc muttered something. Kaeya sighed and turned around, this area of the city was empty now. Good.****

“What was that?”

“I said…brother…What do you want?”

Kaeya stared Diluc down, Diluc glared at him in annoyance in return. There stare down only broke at the sound of Kaeya’s stomach rumbling. Diluc rolled his eyes again and grabbed his hand. “Let’s get food.”

Diluc didn’t lead the way but Kaeya stared at their hands grabbing the other securely. Kaeya couldn’t help but hold onto his grip a little tighter.

“Brother, no Dandelions okay?”

Kaeya said nothing but smiled. “Luc I missed this.”

“Then it’s a good thing I’m here now. You’d starve to death otherwise.” Kaeya didn’t manage to let out a laugh but refused to let go of Diluc’s hand.

The knights passing by Good Hunter seemed confused but didn’t mention anything far too distracted with work and the scampering and scattering of ruffians on the rooftops, the knights where due for a shift change so some headed back to HQ.

For the past ten minutes or so, Diluc appeared to have been pampering Kaeya, offering him whatever food he wished and even warming up items that had gone cold. Kaeya not moving whatsoever refused to leave his spot until a hand touched his shoulder. He sighed and didn’t even have to look back. The smell of Dandelion perfume giving her away.

“Kae.”

Kaeya looked up; ignoring the glare Diluc was giving her. He stroked the hand still on his shoulder and resumed looking at his near empty plate of fruity skewers.

“I know Jean.” A sigh of relief came from her. Kaeya continued facing up to Diluc. “I’m just enjoying a meal with my dear brother; can’t I do that at least? Just let me enjoy this.” Jean didn’t say anything and Kaeya was getting tired of the silent treatment. “I need to go back with Jean to headquarters.”

Diluc seemed to calm down at this. “Then I’m coming too.”

Jean didn’t say anything but gave an equally willing stare at Kaeya. “That’s fine by us Master Diluc.”

Inside the Knights of Favounius Headquarters Kaeya clung to Diluc. Whatever papers needed his signature Diluc was there with Kaeya, whatever files needed to be stamped and folded in order he did so one handed with Diluc in his grip. Replacing the ink vial for his quill was fiddly but Kaeya refused to stop leaning on Diluc’s shoulder. Finally once the air outside became still, once the patrols stopped for the night for this moment, Kaeya became silent, thinking over his decision.

Once again Diluc was having a dizzy spell; Kaeya left his side to speak with Jean.

“Is everyone ready?”

“Kaeya I should be asking you that.”

Kaeya gave a sad smile. “So…everyone is in place?”

Jean nodded. In the doorway, he noticed Albedo leaning on the doorframe, tired from the event from earlier, absolutely messy with his uniform and glum that they never caught the thief, still took the time to give a longing look to Kaeya, and a blank stare to Diluc who hadn’t noticed him. Albedo gave a soft hum, to Kaeya, their small interactions had another layer of meaning. “I know.” He whispered gently. Albedo nodded in agreement. Jean and Albedo exchanged a quick few words and left, Kaeya noticed that the corridors were completely empty. With his resolve unchanging, he stood firm with his decision. Without looking back Kaeya could hear Diluc coughing and starting to growl. He stepped out of the room without looking back to him and Diluc, wordlessly followed, though with each step became more and more agitated.

Stepping out into the fresh cold air on the steps of the entrance to Headquarters. Kaeya filled his lungs with breath.

“Brother.” Kaeya whimpered. He had to do this fast. “Big brother Dilly, I have to tell you something.” He heard Diluc shuffle behind him. Still he refused to look him in the eye. Kaeya glanced up at the rooftops, and then made his way further down the steps.

“Kaeya wait.” Diluc panted, becoming weaker and weaker. His hands began to glow red, rage starting to overcome him like a shield.

“Brother I have to apologise to you…for lying.”

Diluc started moving towards him shooting pyro, not even needing to look, Kaeya expecting this rage, simply moved out the way of the weakening one in front of him.

“I suppose that's why they call it a bad habit, having this talent to deceive people works wonders if used right, though I promised I'd never lie to you. Again…Ever.

But that's the part I enjoy...getting away with it I suppose. I really enjoyed this time with you, even if it was fake.”

Kaeya looked at him with an empty smile, moving into place.

“Honesty - a good virtue in itself, though it won't do you any good if it backfires. It can ruin something truly precious you've worked so hard to achieve. Incredibly fragile no?” Kaeya gave Diluc a pained smile and closed his eye, turning his head to the left as he always did when he was uncomfortable.

“Kaeya? What are you going on abo-“ Diluc didn’t get a chance to finish his sentence, from above, Fischl had shot a electro charged arrow at Diluc’s leg, preventing him from moving. Diluc now stunned, attempted to turn around at his attacker, swaying dizzily as he did so, but was ambushed by Barbara who had made her way down the steps of Headquarters and applied hydro splashes, ‘Diluc’ now down, unconscious and immobile was being dragged off by the other knights of Favounius towards the training area secluded away from the view of the city. Jean cast a hand onto Barbara’s shoulder, her sister, knowing the sign made her way back towards Fischl who had glided down from above the rooftops, leaving the Captain and Acting Grandmaster alone to discuss what happens next.

Kaeya, who was still ignoring the world couldn’t hear any of what happened. He was frozen in place, body still facing where ‘Diluc’ was, though his head was still turned and facing to his left. Jean, who had grown up with him since childhood knew this sign.

~~~

“You know, whenever I’m faced with a situation I’d rather not see, I simply just turn away. Just ignore it, pretend whatever’s happening isn’t happening.” Kaeya tuned in a merrily sing song voice as he was stretched over Jean’s couch with a book over his face.

Jean sighed at her desk. It was another one of their lazy mornings it seems.

She wiped away at her face smoothing down any wrinkles from the previous night, not that she had gotten any rest with the amount of paperwork that the Calvary Captain had so willingly offered to help out with.

“Kaeya you must know that isn’t healthy.” ‘That method doesn’t apply to paperwork either’ – She thought.

He didn’t respond at first, making Jean think he really had fallen asleep, but then a sliver of dim grey poked out behind the book on his cheek.

“I never claimed it was. It just simply works. You know what they say, if it ain’t broke-.”

Jean sighed. “Another nightmare?” Kaeya didn’t respond. Turning his whole body away from her sight on the couch, that damn book still over his face. “Kai? Go to sleep in your own bed, I promise I’ll get some rest soon.”

A grumble from the helpful Captain.

“Oh? And how else will you help with sorting these records?”

“Osmosis.”

“Kaeya!”

He chuckled and began to finally sit up. “I know, I know I’ve been spending too much time in our pretty little Alchemist’s Lab…” He paused before continuing, looking Jean straight in the face. “I know it’s not the best method. But you can’t depend on people to help out every time you need help. If it works it works.” He began to walk out, Jean called out to him before he left the room, and a hand paused on the door.

“Kaeya, I can’t promise we’ll be around, our jobs keep us busy, but please, rely on us a little? At the very least it’s our duty as friends?”

Kaeya didn’t say anything, but gave a nod before leaving the room.

~~~~

ean looked at the man in front of her. No longer was he the cheeky little boy from their childhood…not since the incident. With a sigh Jean gently laid a finger under Kaeya’s chin, pulling him towards her for a hug. He shuddered at the gentle touch, and then started shivering into her shoulder, awkward as it was with him being taller than her. “You shouldn’t have to see this.” “Jean-“ He attempted to move out of her reach, sniffling away. “No. At least let me protect you from this.” Kaeya could hear the swings of the knight’s swords, metal tinning on iron in the brisk night air. The strong pang of whopperflower nectar filling the streets like lava, a disgusting thick scent that may very well put Kaeya off the beauty of flowers forever. Kaeya gave a dark chuckle. “It’s not the first time I’d see my family leave.” Jean pulled a strand at the back of his hair, earning a yelp from the taller man. “That’s enough of that, come, leave the report to me, Lisa made some tea-“ Kaeya pulled away from the hug. “Ah how cruel Jeannie, you planned to make me write an official report even after this long and tiring day?” “Kaeya.” Jean warned. “That’s not wh-“ “I know, I know.” He waved a gloved hand in her face. “I’ll see Fischl and Barbara home and then I’ll join you both for tea.” “Let Amber deal with th-“ “I insist. I could do with the walk right now, besides I’m pretty sure Amber is still off with Eula.” Knowing this was a losing battle Jean signed and let the stubborn man do whatever he wanted. “After that straight to bed. I mean it. If I catch you still up, Klee won’t be the only one in Solitary Confinement.” She growled. Kaeya gulped. “Yes Ma’am!” Jean attempted to keep glaring but when Kaeya saluted to her she broke her form. “Oh you know I can’t stay mad at you.” She giggled. Kaeya grinned at her with a genuine smile. That night, with nothing but the full moon lighting the streets, Kaeya caught glimpses of a certain hooded figure on the rooftops*****, appearing to nod at him, Kaeya nodded back, and after making sure the girls were safely at their homes for the night, after a gentle cup of calming tea and soothing words from Albedo, Kaeya noticed the sound of gentle tinkling coming from the Lamp Grass placed gently at the entrance of Kaeya’s apartment. Maybe he doesn’t hate flowers after all.

Notes:

(A/N: So that’s my first ever Genshin Fanfic. How was it? I wrote this in one go before the event update so who knows what will actually happen.

I snuck in some Kabedo crumbs because yes I ship Albedo and Kaeya but for my first story I didn’t want them to be the main thing when this was centred around Kaeya and WhopperDiluc.

There were hints from ‘Dilucs’ first entrance that he was a whopperflower in disguise, I wonder did you get them all? I tried to imply that like, WhopperDiluc got dizzy (like a Whopperflower) whenever Kaeya broke the rule of its existence, so like whenever Kaeya willingly refused stuff, also he’s using the same attacks as a flower. Uhh and like I’m basing this on the alchemy notes were used by someone who created a mix of alchemy and flowers and targeted peoples visons and based it on what peoples visons meant, so like Diluc got his over his drive on wanting to protect his sibling and just that sibling so ignored everyone else, and because this is WhopperDiluc he doesn’t have all the memories or knowledge of Kaeya’s past or where things in Mondstadt is so Kaeya recognised this, as well as Diluc calling him by his title instead of blanking him and tested people in front of him to tell them ‘hey this isn’t Diluc but don’t’ freak out hear my words and get Jean’ idk if I portrayed that well enough but it’s 1AM and I rushed this ha-ha.

*Kaeya canonically pranks kids in Mondstadt. There’s a lantern item in the game with the description that the children are terrified of it because Kaeya told them the souls of fireflies are trapped in in the lantern! XD

**Kaeya is already super smart so would pick up the language quick; however he’s still a little kid so speech is still tough for him. Diluc is around maybe 6-7 and Kaeya is around 4-5 here.)

***Diluc at that age didn’t know where babies came from but was willing to give his Vision for a sibling.

****Venti knew all along but didn’t interfere. Kaeya had signalled to the knights to clear the city before nightfall.

*****The hooded figure is the Dark Night Hero, he was around during this whole thing but having ‘Diluc’ appear in the city at the same time as him worked well for his cover.