Chapter Text
It was mid-afternoon when Kaeya had finally received orders from the Abyss about his new mission. He was to retrieve a machine part from where Celestia had kept it in the Whispering Woods. This part was vital to the Loom of Fate project, so he could anticipate needing to fight an Archon to obtain it.
Kaeya wove through the woodland, barely managing to avoid snagging his clothing in the nearby trees. He adjusted the mask that covered his face, hoping the repairs he had done would stick.
Silently, he cursed Celestia for keeping important items hidden in areas like closed off forests, though he supposed that was the point of it all. Out of sight, out of mind, and no one from the general public would question them, let alone try to steal it. The only ones who would make such an attempt would be Abyssal Agents such as himself.
He snorted, musing about the term ‘Abyssal’. He was simply enlightened, not like those who sleep under Celestia’s rule.
He was not just Kaeya Alberich, loyal husband who stays at home, shopping in his free time. He was Pavo Ocellus, remnant of the Eclipse, the last Abyss Agent who knew what he was doing. He understood what those heroes who called themselves ‘Archons’ were really protecting.
If the truth got out, everything would be much less black and white. He wouldn’t be a villain, and thost who tried to stop him wouldn’t be the saviors.
His thoughts faded as he approached a clearing.
“Bingo.” He whispered under his breath, spying on the millelith guards that surrounded the gear shaped object that floated on a pedestal. Forming an ice-cold blade in his hand, he teleported behind one guard, surprising him and alerting the others. With a mocking grin, he slashed, killing the man in front of him instantly, while whipping around and attacking another. He moved gracefully, occasionally teleporting behind guards to catch them off guard. Suddenly, his world was shook by a sudden crack, he head whipped to the side. Slowly bringing his hand up to his cheek, he felt the blood pulsing beneath his cheek, before letting out one, cruel, loud laugh.
“One of you landed a hit! How…quaint.” He sneered, before willing away his ice with a woosh. The soldiers surrounding him backed up, nervous, awaiting his next move. With no warning, Kaeya lunged, attacking the soldiers with measured strokes, beating them in one go.
While his actions seemed mindless, sadistic, they never were. He had a plan, he always had a plan, he just had to hold off these soldiers, had to attract enough attention, he just had to wait for one person…
“Pavo Ocellus” Boomed a voice, descending from the heavens like a dark angel. Kaeya stopped his attack, dropping the soldier he was beating, before turning around and grinning, this time a smile so genuine it hurt. There, in the clouds above, in all his glory, stood Morax. The hero of Celestia and war god, keeper of the peace. Summoning his ice blades, Kaeya readied his stance, preparing to attack the incoming hero. Morax finally reached the ground, moving the minute the soles of his feet touched the ground. The two whizzed around each other, a complicated dance only they knew. All that could be seen in those moments were quick flashes of blades, the movements too fast for the human eye to follow. Finally, they stopped, panting, with Morax’s spear against the grinning peacock’s neck. Cocking his neck to the side, Kaeya’s feral, intelligent eye settled on the other.
“Glad you could make it, demon. Pray tell, what was the hold up? Why, I think almost half your men are dead already.” Morax grit his teeth, a flash in his eyes as he drew his spear back to go in for the kill. Just as he was about to strike, Pavo teleported behind him, leaving only a laugh in the air from where he was ‘trapped’. Morax whipped around, ready to attack once more before seeing where exactly Kaeya had teleported to. In his hand was what he had come for, the mysterious gear that was put under Liyue’s protection, so the Abyss Order wouldn’t get their hands on it. Giving a friendly wave, Kaeya grabbed the gear, winking as Morax rushed towards him, spear in hand.
“Goodbye now~ I do hope to play with you soon.” Kaeya gushed, saccharine sweet as he teleported away with a woosh, narrowly avoiding the tip of the spear impaling his midsection. As he landed a couple feet away, in the woods, he leaned on his knees, panting tiredly. He watched in the clearing as Morax looked around wildly, letting out a frustrated yell when he couldn’t see the villain. Kaeya let out a weak smile, wiping away a line of sweat before looking at the gear in his hand. Lumine would be pleased with this, and he always loved any opportunity to mess with the Archons. The fighting and teleporting made him weak, sure, but it was always worth it when he got home and his husband took care of him. Seeing the worry in his eyes always brought Kaeya a sort of guilty pleasure, the knowledge that at least someone in this cruel world truly cared about him. Limping away, he held the gear close, dreaming of the slow cooked soup he’d surely have for dinner tonight.
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Zhongli was tired. He was so, so tired. He had been chasing Pavo Ocellus for longer than any other villain in his entire career, and it was like the man was a mystery. It was impossible to gain even the slightest bit of information about him, and he seemed to match Zhongli, who was by far the strongest Archon, in strength. He was an enigma, one that has been giving Zhongli a headache for far too long.
It had started five years ago. Zhongli’s job as a hero at Celestia was easy, eliminating threats while rising above the lesser heroes who worked at the company eventually, he had even beat Osial, and obtained the spot as one of the seven Archons who protected Teyvat. His boyfriend, now husband, had chosen a home near both Liyue and Mondsdat, so that neither of them would feel too much homesickness.
Everything was perfect, until the thorn in his side had appeared. At first, it was just reports of a strange teleporting masked figure who was appearing around Celestial sites, threatening the artifacts they kept for public safety. Zhongli figured he was some low level villain, not worth anyone’s time or effort. Let his Millelith handle it.
However, that had proven to be a horrible decision. In the matter of a week, the agent had stolen three artifacts of extreme importance, leaving Celestia at a major loss. Zhongli had confronted the villain, only to receive a laugh to the face and some sharp quotes, taunting him with information no one was supposed to have. He had shook the hero, and Zhongli had to go home depressed, a souless man who worried his husband.
The next few weeks, however, Zhongli regained his strength, strategized, and retaliated. He had managed to find the agent’s base, and attacked, retrieving some pieces stolen, yet unfortunately allowing Pavo Ocellus to escape.
And thus started this game of cat and mouse, of thievery and retrieval, and no matter what he did, he never got anywhere close to arresting the agent, letting him slip away into, most often, the night. He had gotten complacent over the years, the pursuit wearing him down. Now all he did was confront the man, write a report, and call it a day.
It was only Pavo who could frustrate him this much, only Pavo who could make him as angry as he was in his early days as a hero.
Zhongli scowled from where he was leaning back, looking up at the ceiling. Why was it that Pavo only showed up in his territory? Always close to the Mondstadt border too, why couldn’t he bother Venti for a while instead, make the archon do something that wasn’t drinking wine all the time?
Ah well. Another day, another failure. It was time to head home anyway.
Packing up his files with a sigh, he submitted his report to Katherine at the desk, giving a weak smile before heading to the parking lot to find his car. As he tossed his suitcase in the back and loosened his tie, the only small comfort that remained in his mind was going home to his lovely husband, and seeing his bright smile light up his world. It truly was the only thing looking forward to, Zhongli mused, pulling his car out and driving away. What on Teyvat would he do without him?
The ride home went by fast, the city blurring by as Zhongli entered the suburbs.
Upon finally pulling up to their quaint home, he was pleased to see their other car still in the garage, meaning his husband was still home, and not away buying groceries or whatever the like. It was upon his husband’s own insistence that he stayed at home, and Zhongli made enough Mora for the both of them, so finances were never a concern. Happily stepping out, his mind was flowers and rainbows just at the thought of recharging with his sweet spouse. Opening the front door, he called out a greeting while slipping off his shoes.
“Honey, I’m home!”
“Welcome back!” Called the silky smooth voice from the living room, and Zhongli was practically on cloud nine just from the reply. Tiredly walking over, he flounced down next to Kaeya, leaning his head on one of his shoulders. Chuckling, Kaeya slowly put away the book he was reading to caress Zhongli’s head, comforting the older man.
“Long day at work?”
“You have no idea.” Zhongli groaned, burying his face into Kaeya’s shoulder.
“Oh please, how could paperwork at a desk wear you out this much.” teased Kaeya, still petting his head. Pouting Zhongli raised his head to look dead into his husband’s eyes, prompting a snort from the other.
“You have no idea.” He repeated, before burying his head once more. Kaeya chuckled, now lightly pushing him away.
“All right, all right, get up sleepyhead. You can sleep after we have dinner. I got meat from Springvale, and you know what that means~” Zhongli’s eyes lit up, almost drooling, before straightening up, the epitome of refined.
“Ahem. Well, I suppose I do have some energy after all. I shall go wash up and meet you in the kitchen, my love.” Laughing, Kaeya lightly punched him, before getting up and tying an apron around his waist.
Zhongli went over to wash up, later joining Kaeya in the kitchen. Cooking was one of his favorite activities to do with his husband. The way they moved around each other, in a silent song and dance as they handed each other chopped vegetables and spices. It was like they fit together like a puzzle piece, moving around each other so easily. It was familiar, in a way, yet not a way that Zhongli could place.
Even when they were dating, Zhongli was absolutely infatuated with the other, from the light in his starry eye to his airy laugh to his clever gaze. It amazed him, sometimes, that he could love someone this much. Landing a kiss on his cheek, he wrapped his arms around Kaeya, the two standing over the bubbling soup. Kaeya was humming a tune, and stirring occasionally.
It was, unfortunately, times like this that Zhongli’s mind strayed. Despite going into work at Celestia’s hero agency everyday, he had never actually told Kaeya what he did. While Celestia does allow family and friends to know a hero’s true identity, Zhongli had never actually told Kaeya about his work.
At first, it was a fear that Kaeya would only stay with him because of his status as an Archon, succumbing to the ordinary temptation to worship the unordinary. However, the more they got to know each other, the harder it was to tell him. Kaeya’s face always went blank when it came to anything related to Celestia, and Zhongli hated watching him recede into that carefully constructed mask.
So, he ended up never mentioning it at all, just letting the ‘problem’ fade into the background of their lives, a conversation for another time. As the years passed, ‘another time’ never came, and now Zhongli dreaded what would happen if Kaeya found out.
While it wasn’t likely that he’d completely reject Zhongli, he might be upset that Zhongli had hid something so huge from him, and seeing even the semblance of a frown, or even worse, tears on his face would completely break Zhongli’s heart. So he stayed silent, willing to carry his duties as a secret till death, if it meant his happy days with Kaeya would continue.
He was interrupted from his contemplation by a light bonk on his head, as the man in his arms pouted up at him.
“Zhongli, the soup’s been done for a while now. You must be really tired to zone out like this…go sit down. I’ll get everything set.” Before he could protest, he was pushed to take a seat at the table, watching as Kaeya settled down across from him after getting them some rice and sides. They ate eagerly, and in silence for a couple minutes, before Kaeya slowed down to ask about his day.
Zhongli talked, playing up his day to accommodate for his secret. He had come up with an imaginary coworker named Pavlin from Snezhnaya to represent Pavo, and shoved all his complaints onto them.
“And yet again, Pavlin escaped from my grasp. It’s starting to get ridiculous how many times he refuses to turn in his work, and makes me quite literally chase after him.” Zhongli growled, glaring down a piece of meat in his stew. Kaeya nodded sympathetically, comforting him in his frustration.
“This man really does sound like a piece of work. How horrific to make someone so irritated.” Zhongli sighed, shaking his head.
“Well, enough about me. How was your day?” Kaeya’s gaze visibly darkened, his movements with his spoon becoming closer to stabbing than eating.
“Well, when I was at the supermarket, that man showed up again. The one I told you about? Morland? He always takes the best of products, and I have to fight tooth and nail just to snatch it from under his nose. It truly is horrific what he puts me through.” Zhongli puts his hand on Kaeya’s in sympathy.
“You should bring me next time. There is strength in numbers.” Kaeya snorted, pushing his food around.
“Thank you, Zhongli, but I’ll power through. I’ve been holding my own long enough.” Zhongli nodded sagely. However, his sharp eyes had caught the way Kaeya’s arm was held at somewhat of an odd angle as he ate.
“Are those aches still plaguing you? I believe we should visit the doctor, if only to refresh you.” Kaeya waved an arm in the air, a sheepish expression coming on his face.
“Come now Zhongli it’s but a scratch. Still, I won’t say no to a massage after dinner…” Kaeya purred, making Zhongli’s face warm. He never could get quite used to Kaeya’s often sultry tones, yet they drew him in all the same.
As they finished their meal, a warm and happy atmosphere overtook them, and they cleaned up with much lighter thoughts. As Zhongli finished putting away the last dish, Kaeya grabbed his arm, whisking away to their bedroom. Zhongli laughed, peppering his silly husband’s face with kisses. Kaeya giggled in turn, but soon the innocent kisses turned into something heavier. They languidly made their way to the bed, stripping as they walked.
When Zhongli woke once more, it was morning, and the sun was filtering in through the blinds. He lifted himself up, stretching and yawning as the last dregs of sleep faded away. He looked next to him to a completely passed out Kaeya, snoring lightly and drooling all over the sheets, limbs haphazardly tossed every which way. With a soft smile, Zhongli pressed a light kiss to his lover’s forehead before getting up, collecting the discarded clothing from the night before. It was the weekend, so he figured he’d simply toss them in the washer to clean later. He placed them in a basket for easy transport. As he made his way to the laundry room, however, he tripped over a loose panel in the flooring. He barely managed to save himself from sprawling across the floor, staggering as he attempted to regain his balance.
“Goodness gracious-” He grumbled, setting down the basket to see what was sticking up, examining the floors closely to find the perpetrator. He made a face, confused, because the house was so new. Unless someone purposefully pried up the board, why on earth would it be sticking up like that? Before he could rip it open, however, a voice came from the bedroom, lilting and tired.
“Honey? Have you started on breakfast or should I?”
Ah well, Zhongli could always fix it later. With a smile, he got up, proceeding to the laundry room, while yelling back.
“I’ve got it all under control. If you could get my suit out though, that’d be an immense help.”
And so their morning routine continued without a hitch, and Zhongli was out the door in minutes, wearing his usual business suit and tie. Celestia always handled the white robes and mask that came with his hero outfit, so he never really had to worry about that. As he made his way to his car. Unknown to him, Kaeya was getting ready on his own, and they would reunite sooner than either of them would think.