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Walking toward the Plaza, Kaeya found himself humming quietly to himself.
It was something he did whenever his mind wandered to thoughts of you, and lately, you had been on his mind more often than not. He was curious as to how things were going for you in the world of Teyvat. He wondered if things were going well, if you were safe, or if you were lonely and it was that thought that always made his guts twist with a bit of worry.
He wondered if you were as lonely as he was at times; though that would forever be something he refused to admit, when he spotted an all too familiar figure standing in the plaza looking up at the statue of Barbatos.
You’re back!
Worry gave way to something soft and fond as a smile lit up his face. Taking a deep breath he quickened his pace as he wanted nothing more than to be at your side, and catch up with you like no time had passed between you when he noticed the expression on your face.
And it caused him to stop dead in his tracks.
You looked tired. Not just physically, but emotionally as well. It was something about the way you were standing, how your posture made it seem as if everything in the world had just suddenly become too much and you were barely keeping yourself upright.
What happened I wonder…
Once again his guts twisted with worry as he closed the distance between you.
“Hello Friend,” he greeted cheerfully, a bright smile on his features only to have it fade a little when you looked at him but didn’t smile back. “Fancy joining me at the tavern for a bit?”
“...I think I’ll pass, Kaeya.” you spoke softly without looking at him.
“Pass?” he blinked at you then huffed. “It’s not like you to pass up on going to the tavern and sharing a drink with me.”
“Sorry, I’m—I just don’t think I’d be good company right now.”
“Oh?” his smile faded just a little as he spoke. “I can assure you that you would be quite wrong. I think even if we were to stand by each other in silence, I’d enjoy your company.”
Once he was standing at your side he followed your gaze up to the statue of Barbatos, wondering why you seemed so enthralled with it at the moment. Nothing seemed out of place, or damaged. Though he wondered for a moment, as the two of you stood there quietly, if you were remembering the time the two of you climbed the statue to sit in Barbatos’ hands.
Barbara was none too happy with the two of you that you had done so, and he couldn’t help but hum a little at the memory.
“Kaeya…?”
“Hm?”
“...you don’t…” you sighed. “You don’t have to stand here with me.”
“Oh, I know I don’t have to, but I want to,” he turned his head to look at you, that bright smile once more on his features. “It would seem you’re in need of a friend. And honestly, you don’t have to tell me anything if you don’t want to. But I wanted you to know that I’m here for you, okay?”
He watched you for a moment then couldn’t help but feel his guts twist again with worry as you slowly looked away and looked at the ground at your feet. He knew better than to push you into talking about whatever was bothering you. Something told him that if he did, it would make this situation far worse than it already was.
“Kaeya,” you started softly. “...I lost someone—” and it was then that your voice cracked and trembled a little with emotion. “—Someone very dear to me.”
That was a pain that he was quite familiar with, and he understood now why it seemed as if the weight of the world was on your shoulders, and his heart ached with the want to help you. He found himself slowly moving his arm to gently wrap it about your shoulders and pull you closer to him.
“I’m so sorry you’re going through this…” he spoke softly, his voice just loud enough for the two of you to hear. He hated that could do nothing more than be here for you, and help you shoulder the weight of it if you’d let him.
So he gave you words that he himself at one time wanted—no needed to hear.
“You don’t have to go through this alone.”
When you leaned into him further, he wrapped his arms about you tightly, and when your shoulders began to shake with your soft sobs, he let his eye close and gently rested his cheek against your head.
“I’m right here,” he told you softly as he nuzzled his cheek against you just a little. “Let it all out. You don’t have to hide your tears from me. I’ve got you.”
It took awhile but eventually your shoulders stopped shaking enough that you wrapped your arms around him, and you fisted your hands into the back of his shirt as if you feared he might pull away.
“I won’t let go till you tell me to,” he said with a soft chuckle. “I’m not going anywhere.”
“...okay...” you said softly between your sniffles. “Sorry.”
“You don’t have anything to be sorry for. You have every right to feel the way you do,” Kaeya spoke softly as he pressed a gentle kiss to the side of your head. “But I know you’ll get through this, and I promise that I’ll be here every step of the way.”
“Okay…” you sniffled again, but slowly lifted your head enough to be able to look at him. “Thank you.”
“You don’t have to thank me either, it’s what anyone that cares about you would do,” he smiled brightly at you. “Besides, I promise I'll give you as many hugs as you need. Kisses too, if you want them...” he couldn’t help but laugh as you groaned and hid your face against his chest, and he gently kissed the top of your head.
“I’ll do whatever you need me to do till you can smile again…”