Chapter Text
His cold gaze remained settled on the bassinet in front of him, staring at the slumbering occupant.
The babe inside was a spitting image of him, dark hair, tanned skin, vibrant blue eyes. Just... smaller... and female. His gaze grew sad as he pulled out a photo of himself with darling you, all bright and lovely.
And lost.
He had lost you to childbirth, his desperate pleas having fell on deaf ears. Kaeya felt that even the mourning dove left him and ignored him when he wept, unable to do anything when your hand went limp in his own.
He stared at the photo, his eye going blank and glassy.
What did you sound like again? What did sleeping next to you feel like again? He couldn't remember...
The babe stirred in her bed, whining a little bit at some discomfort. He immediately sprang up, tucking the photo away carefully before plucking the small child up.
Is this what Master Crepus felt like when he raised Diluc without his wife to help? So helpless and lost, so clueless as to how to ensure his little one grew up well? He often asked Jean and Lisa for advice, wanting to ensure the best future for his child. But they often couldn't help.
His thoughts were destroyed by a small chubby hand, reaching up and touching his tired face. Kaeya looked down at his child, smiling sadly at her as she stared up at him, the same worry in her eyes that were often in your own.
She cooed at him, her little noises filled with worry. He had to admit that she was most definitely a clever, smart little girl.
"It's okay North..." he murmured, letting his forehead rest on the top of her small one. "I'll be a good dad... I promise... I promise I'll try. I will be the best dad you'll ever have. You're my little icicle... my little baby icicle."
A soft coo was the only response.
It broke the hearts of many to see a well respected and beloved man in Mondstadt, become utterly miserable, barely holding on, if only to save his little icicle. If only to protect his little North.