Work Text:
“Good work, Bennett.” Kaeya grinned, affectionately ruffling the boy’s tousled hair.
Kaeya believed in Bennett’s potential. True, that notorious bad luck of his did pose quite a challenge at first; he would always end up tripping on air or letting the sword handle slip from his hand, but those were things that Kaeya always had to deal with even the normal, un-cursed recruits. Bennett took to the sword like young Kaeya once did, stumbling and fumbling but determined to be as cool as the young Ragnvindr he had an affection for. It did give him quite a lighthearted laugh watching Bennett attempt to replicate his graceful stance. No, the boy’s charm isn’t like Kaeya’s graceful waltz, his was a more fun and cheerful movement, befitting such an exuberant and wonderful young man. With time, Bennett’s swordsmanship would improve beyond Kaeya’s own skill, at least this is what he fully believes.
Caught up in his joy and pride, Kaeya didn’t notice his young student gazing upon him with awe and sparkling eyes.
The next few days were…a bit unusual, although not enough to disturb Kaeya.
“Sir Kaeya! I finished cleaning up the mess at the training grounds!” Noelle beamed up at him. Kaeya’s heart softened as he smiled at her, lifting his gaze from his papers to pat her head gently. “Is that so? Thank you for working so hard.”
Somehow looking like she had been refilled with energy, Noelle proclaimed that she would be making snacks for everyone. Kaeya sighed fondly as his office door slammed in her wake; he hopes Noelle won’t work herself too hard.
“Ka-Kaeya!” Amber flustered, angrily pacing a bit before she faced him, “I scouted a new encampment of Hilichurls near Drunkard Gorge, there were Abyss mages there as well.”
“Fantastic work, Outrider Amber.” Kaeya hummed, gently petting her head. “I’ll clear it out today during my patrol.”
“Kaeya. Meat. Razor hunt meat.” Razor grunted, dropping off a basket of boar meat into Kaeya’s hand. “Meat for lupical. Too skinny…must eat.”
Kaeya laughed, reaching up and hugging Razor tightly as he nuzzled his face into his hair. “Oh, what a sweet puppy! Why don’t you bring Bennett and Klee to my house so I can make us skewers, hmm?”
Razor’s tail wagged in contentment. “Yes, Razor like Kaeya’s skewers. Will eat with lupical.”
Kaeya blinked in astonishment as a few of his recruits lined up and asked for headpats after their training. In his shock, he ended up patting their heads on instinct, a few words of praise leaving his lips. When they were gone, Kaeya sat there trying to figure out what was happening.
A pair of red eyes watched scornfully from behind a wall.
Kaeya went to Angels Share to contemplate the day’s events. To his surprise — Barbatos, if there are any more surprises for him, he might have a heart attack! — a glass of his beloved Death After Noon slammed on the surface he was leaning on, causing him a small amount of fright that only doubled as he looked up and saw two finely aged red wine eyes staring at him.
“I made it for you.” Diluc informed him as he crossed his arms and stared, looking annoyed as he seemed to be waiting for something.
“O…okay…” Kaeya stuttered, “What…what do I owe you?”
Diluc scowled and Kaeya felt like crying.
What did I even do this time!? I just arrived!?
He consulted Jean about his troubles.
“I just don’t get it!”
“So you are saying…” Jean whispered, “That you reward them with headpats and hugs if they accomplish their tasks.”
“I guess?”
Jean looked up to the heavens as if she came across a great new discovery.
She left him after that, so Kaeya went to the lovely Ms. Lisa for help. She did not seem as odd as Jean, but she did look at him strangely in a different way. Her wicked and calculating grin instilled the fear of the Archons into Kaeya’s very being. He was then ordered to leave the library to leave her to her important work, and so like any smart man would, Kaeya turned away and did as he was told. That terrifying encounter left him with no other choice but to go to Albedo, who was always quite odd, so it at least wouldn’t be any different from the norm. Kaeya told him his woes as he did with the others. Albedo’s eyes glimmered in the same way after a successful experiment.
“A reward, you say? In the form of headpats and hugs…” He mumbled under his breath. “Yes, this will need experimentation. I will look into this phenomenon for you, you need not worry, Sir Kaeya.”
The next day, Kaeya was called into Jean’s office. She wordlessly showed him the documents she finished the other day. Then she hugged him tightly, squeezing him like one would hug a fluffy, well-loved Teddy bear. She then sat him on her lap and rested her eyes, falling into a peaceful slumber upon the soft cushion of Kaeya’s chest.
Jean thanked him after she awoke from her short nap, looking rejuvenated and well-rested. Kaeya, equally as pleased from cuddling with his friend, told her that he would be there whenever she needed. He ignored the way Jean immediately threw herself into work with determination in her eyes.
He was pulled away by Lisa the moment he was out the door.
After looking at the catalogued books at the library, she took him to a side room where she often rested and then she sat down on her vanity, lending him her hairbrush. With the expertise that came with being Klee’s best friend and her trusted babysitter, he gently combed through her silky taupe locks until she gracefully slumped over and slept. Kaeya lifted her and laid her in the bed in her spare room, whispering a soft good night into her hair before leaving her to rest.
Albedo found him outside the library after that. He was led to the lab, and with no need for Albedo to explain, Kaeya simply gave him a warm hug.
Klee later joined in after showing him a drawing she made of the three of them; a short little blob representing Albedo, a tiny red thing that was supposed to be Klee, and Kaeya the big cryo slime giving them a big embrace. He laughed and held her close, telling her that she would never have to prove herself to ask for anything from him. Being his precious little Klee was enough.
He didn’t notice the ominous figure hanging outside of the window.
“Why isn’t he rewarding me?”
“Master Diluc,” Venti chuckled, “Perhaps you should just ask him for your reward? That’s what everyone is doing.”
“Even you?”
“You sound offended.”
“What work did you do to get rewarded?”
“Hey! I’m your archon, you know! What is this disrespect!?”
It’s an unspoken rule in Mondstadt. If you work hard, the cavalry captain will give you his warm smile and an even warmer hug.
It was dubbed by the Adventurer’s Guild as “The Kaeya Reward Exchange.”
The traveller often availed in these, and how could Kaeya say no to them? Such a hard working kid, a few hugs and headpats wouldn’t be enough to make up for what they do for Mondstadt. Jean also ranked quite high, and that was only what she deserved. She’s practically the backbone keeping Mondstadt from falling into disarray.
The knights’ performance has improved, the atmosphere seems a lot happier. Truly, there doesn’t seem to be any downside to this reward exchange, so Kaeya happily indulged the citizens of Mondstadt. After all, this is his home. He’d do anything to make it a happy place for the little children running around its streets.
He didn’t expect a tourism boost as a result of this reward exchange, though.
Kaeya stared up at the tall refined gentleman who suddenly helped him carry the heavy amount of new training equipment he got for the recruits. He hummed appreciatively and bowed slightly to Kaeya’s level, cor lapis eyes looking quite pleased as he pressed a kiss against Kaeya’s knuckles before walking away.
Then the other day, a certain harbinger cheerfully procured a hefty mora pouch, and then gave Kaeya a hug.
He tried visiting Angels Share again. Diluc’s face looked like just ate salt and lemons, along with some dried fish. Kaeya worried that he might’ve done something wrong again, because Diluc kept giving him that same expecting look that he’s been giving since a few weeks ago.
Diluc announced the last call and ignored his patron’s protests. Kaeya was about to leave, but Diluc’s strong hand covered his before he could move out of his seat.
“Stay, Sir Kaeya.” Diluc’s rumbling voice whispered in his ear. Kaeya staved off the hot blush threatening to turn his face red and willed his heart to calm down. (What was that voice for? Master Diluc, that’s not fair.)
The patrons left them all alone. Diluc moved out of the bar separating them and stood in front of Kaeya’s stool. The cavalry captain gulped nervously. One moment Diluc was standing completely stoic, and then he was kneeling and grasping at Kaeya’s thighs.
“Kaeya, don’t I deserve a reward too?”
Puzzle pieces that were so obvious connected in Kaeya’s mind at last, and he gave Diluc a small grin as he tilted his chin to meet Kaeya’s eye.
“I didn’t think you wanted one from me.”
“I do.”
“Then, I’ll give Master Diluc a special Kaeya reward.”
For all his bravado, Kaeya could only kiss Diluc for a few seconds before it was too much for him, and he ended up blushing and trying to pass off his shyness. Unfortunately for him, Diluc knew him too well, and the man seemed insistent on swallowing Kaeya’s whole being with his kisses.
They parted, a small string connecting them still, panting breaths mingling into the air and becoming one.
“...Don’t give anyone but me that reward, okay?”
Unable to help himself, Kaeya went into a little fit of giggles. “Of course, it’s exclusive for my hard working Master Diluc.”
Diluc licked his lips, silencing Kaeya’s childish amusement by wrapping a hand around his throat, and another steady hand against Kaeya’s soft lips.
“I’ll work harder then.”
Through every trouble and through every peril, Mondstadt stood strong and fearless.
Other nations have their archons, their guardians and their divine beings.
Mondstadt has Kaeya.