Work Text:
Side: Aether, START.
I'm begging you, my lord.
A shoulder to cry on.
I lost my way, just give me a single word.
Where's the shining star, for me and you?
The moon is hiding behind the clouds.
I'm not the only one, not a hero.
I might be wrong, going into the dark.
- Not a Hero, King's Raid OST
It's funny how all major changes in Kaeya's life were always brought by rain. It was raining the day his father left him, with burdens he didn't understand and the hopes of many placed on his small, shaking shoulders. It was raining the day Master Crepus died, the day he had lost the only ever parental figure he had; the chilling ghost of relief touching his heart. It was raining the night he told Diluc of his lineage, knowing the fact that his existence in itself was traitorous in his sworn brother's eyes even if he had never done anything to harm Mondstadt or its people.
The rain brought far too many changes for Kaeya to ever be completely comfortable with it. And it was no exception now.
He cursed his luck for being caught out in the rain. He was on his way to Angel's Share for a late-night drink. He had finished up his work for today a little later than expected, after all. And now...he was standing under one of the many deserted stands, the owners having covered their wares and tucked themselves into the safety of their houses.
Kaeya huffed, lifting a slightly damp strand of his hair from his eyes before going through the pros and cons of just running all the way to Angel's Share right then and there. It shouldn't be too hard. While he would get wet, it wouldn't be to the point where he would be soaked. That way he could wait out the rain in the comforting warmth of the bar, nursing his favorite Death after Noon. Well, that was before he caught sight of him.
Kaeya squinted as he watched a figure prance past him, towards the direction of Angel's Share; very much unprotected from the rain. He could barely make out the telltale blond of the traveler's hair from how hard the rain was falling. But he hadn't seen wrong. There was no way he would mistake someone like Aether.
So Kaeya, curious and currently unoccupied, decided to follow him. He carefully walked from building to building, the rooftops giving him little coverage from the downpour. Aether skipped around in the rain, unbothered and oblivious to the knight following behind him.
To Kaeya's surprise, Aether was headed to Angel's Share. The blond stopped right in front of the door and Kaeya readied a grin, a "What a surprise to see you here," ready on the tip of his tongue.
But he never got to say it.
The grin slipped from Kaeya's face when he watched Aether rip his sister’s missing person poster right from the signboard. The very same one that Aether and Amber had painstakingly put up all those months ago. He remembered seeing Aether put that one up, the smile on the traveler's face, the optimism in his voice, and yet...
Dazed, Kaeya could only follow in Aether's footsteps as he danced an unknown rhythm, skipping and jumping towards a destination only he knew. In seconds, he had torn down two more posters. How he was able to pinpoint where the posters were was beyond Kaeya’s comprehension. (But maybe he did know the pain of remembering where something is and never being able to forget it no matter how hard he tried.)
He wanted to reach out, to stop him from tearing down those posters, but somehow Kaeya couldn't keep up. Whenever he thought he was close, Aether would prance out of his reach. The rain didn't help, his steps growing unsteady and his eyes blindsided by the storm.
Kaeya had called his name many times, trying to talk to him, but it seemed like Aether couldn't hear him. He felt the frustration simmering in his chest, and the confusion building more and more as they got to the main plaza. The stack of missing person posters in Aether's hand grew by the minute and Kaeya yelled his name in a desperate last attempt, running towards him.
"Aether!"
And Aether had finally stopped.
He turned around, surprise lighting those eyes before Kaeya had finally reached him, his body going too fast and the rain-slick ground causing him to crash right into him. They had tumbled over the lip of the fountain, landing into the freezing waters with a loud splash. Kaeya had blinked the water out of his eyes to assess the damage. His body had tangled with Aether's on the way down, and his leg ended up hooked under Aether's arm.
Kaeya stared at Aether, who looked at him wide-eyed, "Aether, I'm so–"
He had been interrupted by Aether's laughter. He was laughing loudly, the sound echoing in the spaces the rain couldn't fill, and it filled Kaeya's arms with goosebumps. The sound was more unsettling than any he had ever heard before, and he gripped at Aether's shoulder to shake him out of it.
Now that he was looking, he could finally see the redness around Aether's eyes and the shaking in his shoulders. His hands clutched at them like a lifeline, those weathered papers that were shuddering in his grasp. Kaeya ever so carefully sat himself up, reaching a hand for Aether's one. The laughter sputtered out as he placed his palm over Aether's knuckles. Yet he couldn’t find the words to say to the blond. But Aether spoke first, surprising him.
"Hey," Aether croaked out, voice roughened at the edges. "You're good at keeping secrets, right?"
"The best,” Kaeya resolved himself, to listen to what Aether needed to get off his chest. “My place okay?"
Aether nodded, head drooping slightly more. Kaeya stood, clothes heavy from the thorough soaking it got. He belatedly wonders if Aether felt the same sluggishness as he slung an arm under the traveler's shoulder.
"I remember how to walk," Aether commented dryly.
"I know," Kaeya glanced at Aether's unfocused eyes. "Just let me do this much for you, Aether." Aether grew silent after that, sagging in his hold and letting Kaeya lead him through the empty streets. The rain had lessened the slightest bit, and yet it was persistent, still beating down on them like a curse.
Kaeya had stopped in front of one of the cramped alleyways leading to a staircase that only he ever used. He climbed up, their footsteps punctuating their arrival.
"Welcome to my humble abode," Kaeya said, squeezing in what little bravado he had left in him into his voice.
Aether had snorted, "Looks like a dumpster fire."
"I invite you in and you say such things," Kaeya had let Aether lean against the wall to take everything in. "I'm hurt.”
It was true that he rarely came here, only for a quick shower or meal here and there. But it wasn't that bad. If anything, everything was untouched, save for the clutter of washed dishes that needed to be put back in their respective cupboards and his desk which was littered with official papers. Kaeya quickly turned on the heating system and the hot water. He was dying to get out of these clothes, and he was sure Aether was too. Kaeya set a kettle of water onto the stove to boil.
"I'll make tea, you get in the showers in five minutes, the water will be ready by then," Kaeya glanced towards Aether to make sure he was still awake. "Then we'll talk."
"It'll be faster if I start now," Aether said, squeezing at his hair. "But I'm sure you won't let me."
"You know me so well," Kaeya said cheerily. "In you go, dear traveler. Wouldn’t want you to catch a cold."
Aether placed the papers on the table, trudging into the bathroom while mumbling under his breath. Complaining, no doubt, Kaeya thought fondly. He rummaged around for a towel, before setting it on a chair in front of the bathroom. He also placed a clean pair of shirts and pants.
He then focused on making tea, his movements mechanic as he thought about Aether. Did he...figure out something about his sister? No, he definitely did, if his actions told him anything. There was something. Was she dead? Kaeya hoped not. The weight of grief was a heavy thing to bear. He had at least met or seen her, for him to be this distraught.
The sound of the bathroom door clicking open interrupted his thoughts, and he could see a significantly less cold Aether stepping into his view. Kaeya watched as Aether continued to dry his hair. He placed a cup of steaming tea on the table, placing a plate of cookies next to it. Klee had gifted them to him a few weeks ago, and he had no taste for sweets so he had kept them for guests. He didn't expect to have to serve them so soon, and most definitely not to Aether.
"I'll be quick, don't snoop too much," was all that Kaeya said before disappearing into the bathroom himself. He could see Aether's wet clothes folded into a neat pile in the corner of his bathroom. Kaeya did the same, before stepping into the shower. The feeling of hot water against his skin was welcome, washing away the coldness that sat deep in his bones.
He really was quick, taking around five minutes to shower and another five to hang up their wet clothes to dry. And yet when he got out, Aether was already nose-deep in the papers he left out on his work table. There was an empty cup on the table, and one of the cookies he had put out was missing, much to Kaeya's relief.
Kaeya watched him a little before chuckling, "I thought I told you not to snoop?"
"You said not to snoop too much," Aether said wryly, voice sounding much better already. Sweet flower tea really did its magic. "I only snooped a little."
Kaeya raised his hand, plopping onto his couch with his own cup of tea, "Alright, alright, I concede. It is your win." Aether followed suit, sitting on the other side of the couch. Kaeya handed him his cup, refilled to the brim with more warm tea. The rain continued to pour outside, and it filled the silence that had settled.
Kaeya sipped his tea as he watched Aether. The couch was small, and there was barely space for one person between them, yet it felt vast at that moment. The blond's hair was splayed around his shoulders, towel catching any stray droplets of water. He had closed his eyes for a bit before opening them.
"You're probably wondering why I took down the posters," Aether murmured, staring hard at the cup in his hands. "And what I wanted to tell you.
"I met my sister. In Liyue," Aether added as an afterthought, chuckling ruefully. "It should've been a happy occasion– it was one until...well... I guess I should start a little from the beginning.
"I was investigating the Abyss alongside this man called Dainsleif," Aether started again. "He seemed knowledgeable about them, and he was strong. He also had someone he wanted to meet again. We were looking for the Abyss Herald, one of the higher echelons of the Abyss.
"We found one, they were...they were experimenting with a Statue of Seven," Aether frowned lightly. "After investigating, it seemed they stole the statue hundreds of years ago, but only now put together their plan to create an artificial god. They had planned on using Osial, a remnant of the past Archon war, but the Fatui ended up exhausting his powers– I'm rambling a little bit here...sorry..." There was a vulnerable look in his eyes as he swallowed down a gulp of tea. Kaeya scooted just a little closer. Their knees touched slightly. Aether didn't complain about the touch.
"He...he told me a little bit," Aether said shakily. "About...Khaenri'ah, about the Cataclysm. And he told me about the origins of the Abyss." Kaeya observed him, taking in the tight grip on his cup. He could tell Aether was also appraising his behavior and expressions. Kaeya only hoped he didn't look too surprised. He knew a little about those events. After all, he was the traitor, someone who was tasked to destroy and betray their trust.
"And I saw her," Aether's eyes squeezed tight as if trying to erase the memory. Kaeya removed the cup from shaking hands, reaching out to take Aether's hands in his and feeling the vice in his grip.
"She...L-Lumine..." A wet sob tumbled out of Aether's lips. And Kaeya was tempted. Tempted to tell Aether not to keep going, to let him cry in his arms. But he bit his lip, instead letting his hand gently swipe at the tears rolling down Aether’s cheeks.
He had to let Aether tell his story.
"She didn't want to come h-home with me. She w-was a part of the Abyss Order, they called her p-princess and-" Aether's shoulders shook with the effort to keep his voice still. "She didn't want to c-come home..."
There was a beat of silence before Kaeya gently eased Aether into a hug – a hug the blond was more than happy to reciprocate. His arms squeezed tight around Kaeya's waist as if scared to let go. Kaeya’s mind itself felt chaotic, but he could only focus on the Aether crying in front of him rather than the bombshell he just dropped.
"You did a good job getting this far. It must've been hard." His words only seemed to make Aether sob harder. It had Kaeya wondering when the last time someone had cared for him like this was. There was nothing else he could do but accept what Aether said as the truth.
To find out that your own sibling was part of an organization that you are actively fighting, Kaeya could only pitifully sigh at how ironic the situation was. He experienced it once, except instead of being in Aether's shoes, he was in his sister's. And for Kaeya it was never a choice, it was his birthright but she... She must've known how much this would hurt Aether. And she must've loved him, there was no way that she didn't care for her sibling, so why...? Kaeya could speculate all he wanted, but there was nothing else he could do but be there for Aether right now.
"I'm tired," Aether's voice was muffled from where he was tucked into Kaeya's chest. Kaeya wasn't aware of how much time passed, but by then the rain had stopped and Aether's tears had run out. Kaeya’s hand was absentmindedly running through Aether's hair to soothe him.
"I'm so...so tired of this. First in Mondstadt and now...in Liyue. They call me a “hero" but I'm not. I feel the farthest thing from a hero. I just happened to be there, I just... I want my family back." Kaeya tightened his grip on the traveler.
This worn and weary traveler, who spent day after day trying to find any clue about his sibling. The same traveler who so very bravely sought out archons to help him, and yet in return he ended up fighting the battles of strangers. The very traveler that everyone took for granted, asking him to take care of menial tasks when instead he could've been getting the hard-earned rest he deserved. The traveler who stepped forward and never looked back, who always had a smile ready to greet anyone and everyone. Kaeya hadn’t ever realized how lonely and painful the existence of such a traveler could be.
Kaeya finally spoke, "Rest. No one has any expectations for you here, so you're in good hands." Kaeya reached out for a blanket, trying to detach himself from the blond to give him space.
Aether responded by gripping him tighter, "And you? You'll leave?" There was a lilting tease in his voice, faint but present. Usually, he would joke back at how Aether shouldn't "miss him too much" while he was gone, but Kaeya could hear the vein of vulnerability that threaded through his words just as clearly.
It was the same kind of longing that Kaeya often heard in his own voice whenever he spoke to the traveler. The longing that he spent hours and hours denying and suppressing in favor of his nonchalant attitude and easy laughs. The smiles he practiced in the mirror if only to keep the traveler within arms reach, and never a step closer. It was the same one he could never get rid of when he was bidding the traveler farewell on his travels yet again. (Kaeya always failed in the end. He was a pitiful man.)
Kaeya sat up straight before pushing Aether a little away from him. This time the traveler followed his motions easily; as if he had already given up. Kaeya looked him in the eyes. Aether's eyes that had so much light to them were now staring back at him dully, dark circles and redness from the crying imprinted on his skin like a brand. It didn’t sit well with Kaeya, this version of Aether.
"I'll stay. I’m staying. I am not leaving you behind, Aether."
And those words, he hoped he conveyed it well enough. He hoped that Aether understood that it wasn't just about this night and that it was a promise for the future. A future where he hoped to be there for Aether, just like he was tonight. He didn't need to be by his side – though a part of him desperately wanted to be. He just wanted to be someone that Aether could return to.
Aether nodded – a short jerk of movement – before going back to his place against Kaeya's chest. He could’ve sworn he saw more tears welling up in the corners of Aether’s eyes, but he didn’t comment on them. Kaeya let a small chuckle loose, a short breathy thing that lifted the atmosphere just a little bit.
He moved to lie down on his cramped, tiny couch. He had a perfectly usable bed, and two perfectly working legs to carry both himself and Aether there, but maybe this was better. Feeling the way Aether's legs tangled into his and the haphazard movements of Aether's hands as he rearranged their positions. His feet could very easily dangle off the edge of the couch if he wasn't bending them, but that didn't matter in the slightest. He very much preferred this over the previously empty house.
Aether had tucked Kaeya into his chest, throwing his arms around Kaeya's neck loosely. It was the reverse of their earlier position. Several throw pillows were under their heads, the blanket barely covering both their legs. Kaeya looked up at Aether, who in turn was already staring at him.
"Does the eye patch never come off?" Aether mumbled, tapping against the leather with a finger. Kaeya had the urge to tug on the string at the back of his head, and show Aether, baring his own secrets and scars to the one person that might not hate him for it.
Kaeya felt a small smirk tug at his lips, "I'll tell you later." Aether had rolled his eyes, a soft smile on his face as he hugged Kaeya closer. It was the first time Aether had smiled that night.
And he knew that he was supposed to be comforting Aether, but he felt strangely comforted; to feel the traveler falling asleep while holding him. Kaeya had never been held so warmly before and maybe...maybe that was what Aether needed.
To hold someone in his arms and know that they wouldn't leave or abandon him. To have that one person who knew his secrets and accepted them, without pushing him away. Archons know that sixteen-year-old Kaeya could've used a person like that, back when he left the only place he would ever call home.
A little traitorous voice in Kaeya's heart said that maybe Aether even cared for Kaeya, perhaps a little more than he originally thought. But he was sure that wasn't the case. Aether probably cared for him as much as he cared for his other companions. The traveler wasn't one to play favorites after all. (But Kaeya was a weak man, so he allowed the hope to settle somewhere deep in his chest.)
Kaeya stared at the steadily rising chest in front of him before closing his eyes, feeling the dark blanket over him slowly. He vowed to be that person for Aether. That would be enough for him. To lend him a shoulder and an ear when he needed to talk. To be there, in this dingy place he called his, just for the traveler. That didn't sound too bad to him at all.
Later on in the morning, as Kaeya was watching Aether complain about how his pancakes were "burnt as a dendro slime on fire!", he would realize that the word he was looking for was in fact "home." He wouldn't mind it if he could have mornings like this every day. He would be Aether's home if he wished him to be. (And maybe, just maybe, Kaeya Alberich would find a home of his own in Aether.)
Side Aether: END.