Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Kaeya sighed. Another day, another problem.

After so many years in Mondstadt, the Khaenri’ahn was sure that he was the normal one in the Knights of Favonius. No, make it the whole city of Freedom.

The sound of the explosion filled the room. Kaeya sighed again.

It sounded as if it came from Jean’s office.

He will go in a minute.

The Acting Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius slowly counted up to ten. And then continued up to twenty to calm down before looking back at the young elf, who was currently diligently studying the carpet in her office. It was littered with papers that were shuffling with the wind blowing through the broken window. Jean sheathed her sword.

“Klee, what is the rule about the bombs in the building?” the knight asked.

It took some time before the Spark Knight’s ear drooped a bit and she whispered,” not to.”

“Not to what?”

“Not to use the bombs in the building,” repeated the young knight just a smidge louder. Eyes still firmly fixed on the carpet. Jean sighed.

“That’s right, Klee. I am glad you know that what you did is wrong. Unfortunately, it means punishment.”

“Solitary room?”

“Indeed,” confirmed the Acting Grand Master. A knock on the door and permission allowed Kaeya to enter the office.

“Hello there,” the horseless Cavalry Captain greeted his superior.

“Oh, Kaeya! Could you please take Klee to the confinement room while I…” Jean waved her hand at the office. The Captain curiously looked around. He empathically nodded, offering his left hand to the Spark knight. Klee mournfully took it and the pair left the office.

“I am glad that you are not hurt, little spark,” Kaeya offered his condolences to the little elf. The girl mutely nodded her head. “Come on. Twenty-four hours. And I will take you to go fish blasting after it.”

Klee in surprise looked up at the Captain. He smiled at her eagerness and signed ‘quiet’ before opening the door to the confinement room.

“It will be our little secret.” The elf quickly walked in, waving to the Captain as he closed the door.

And now to do all the paperwork so that he could fulfill his promise.

Chapter Text

“Jean, no.”

“Jean, yes!” came the cry of the Acting Grand Master of Knights of Favonius before being followed up by the next shout. “Explode!”

The tinkling of the glass was muffled by the door, but it still made Kaeya stop in his tracks before coming closer to Jean’s office.

“Jean, you don’t have to go there right now. The problem was dealt with. What you need now is rest!” came Lisa’s voice. Kaeya knocked on the door. It would seem that their esteemed Acting Grand Master blew another window of her office in an attempt to escape and check on the situation of Barbara’s stalker. Even though the church sisters have already dealt with Albert. Sister Rosaria was an Archon sent to deal with it. They could probably forget about Albert for at least a week. The man was too devoted to the Deaconess turned idol.

But the window problem… It was the fifth time in the last two weeks, and not always the Acting Grand Master’s fault. (It was an occupational hazard of dealing with young and Pyro-wielding knights, and sometimes with excitable and more mature Electro-wilding mages. Especially when they were together in the office. Especially then.) And while they had the money for the necessary repairs, it was not unlimited. The repair costs also greatly rose with Grand Master Varka’s leaving for the expedition. And he was just coming in to give his reports on the funds as the Quartermaster. He, together with Hertha the Captain of the Logistics Company & Coordinator had previously met and crunched the numbers so that he could pass on the information to Jean.

Decision made, the Captain knocked on the door and entered the office, ready to assist the Librarian to stop their Acting Grand Master and force her to rest. Inside he was greeted by a view of Lisa pulling Jean from the window.

“How many nights without sleep?” the male asked as he joined in to prevent Jean from leaving the office.

“Two nights, which if you would ask me is two too many,” answered the Librarian as they pulled the struggling woman to the sofa in the corner. “And far too many coffees,” she pointed out all the empty mugs on the coffee table near when they managed to set Jean on the sofa. Lisa grabbed the duvet hanging on the back of the sofa and spread it over the woman.

“Master Jean, you know what happened last time you went that long without sleep,” admonished Kaeya his superior and most importantly friend as he helped Lisa to spread the duvet.

“But there was a huge backlog of the paperwork and then I had all the citizens' requests that I needed also to deal with,” Jean tried to justify herself, but the pair looked at her in disbelief.

“If you do not rest, I will complain to Barbara,” deadpanned Lisa. They really needed to set some rules to try and get the Acting Grand Master to rest. Otherwise, they might not have her when Varka will return.

“And you don’t want to worry her, isn’t that so, Master Jean?” added Kaeya.

“It is Acting Grand Master Jean, A. C. T. I. N. G.!” the knight grumbled at her friends. It was getting rather nicely warm under the duvet. Maybe she could indeed rest her eyes for a bit.

A knock on the door broke the comfy atmosphere opening to show Noelle who came in bearing a tray with a steaming mug of coffee.

“So it was you!” Lisa whispered in disbelief as she stared at the maid. Noelle definitely didn’t expect to see them here. Kaeya took the chance to glance at Jean, who was looking away, her cheeks growing slightly red in embarrassment. When they had the same situation previously, they had enforced a new rule limiting the coffee consumption of their Acting Grand Mater to prevent the situation where she would drink the coffee to stay awake for long periods.

“Ah, I can come in a bit later,” the maid stammered, quickly fleeting the office.

“Oh no, you don’t!” Lisa left the office in a hurry, following the maid. She quickly returned to the office, barking “Jean, rest!” and then returning to her pursuit of the maid.

The office remained quiet for a few minutes.

“Rest, Acting Grand Master Jean,” Kaeya sighed. “I don’t think Lisa will let you work if you don’t rest at least for a bit. I will return later.”

Chapter Text

Kaeya usually avoided the domain of the Sumeru Academic but needs must. He had to return the book he had borrowed. And the deadline was today. So, the Cavalry Captain of the Knights of Favonius had braved the Library. At least the Lady Librarian herself was nowhere seen. It wouldn’t be a big surprise to find the Dragon Lady who hoarded books napping in some sunlit corner of the library.

The door opened silently, and Kaeya was ready to kiss the maid who most likely maintained the hinges oiled. It was most likely Noelle. He continued creeping in, stepping from the heel to his toes and slowly advancing towards the return station set by the Librarian.

“Oh, Sir Kaeya, it has been a while since I last saw you here,” the woman in question appeared behind him. It took most of his willpower not to take his sword out. “Are you here to finally return the book?”

“Dear Master Librarian,” the Khaenri’ahn turned, a smile plastered on his face. “How are you today this fine sunny day?”

Lisa just smiled indulgently at the young Captain. Kaeya knew that look. He felt how his neck constricted and he couldn’t breathe in. He had to finish his business quickly.

“Indeed. Here it is. Not a stain, not a speck of dirt. And before the deadline!” the last sentence was squeaked as the Sumeru Academic advanced on the man and gently pried it from him to inspect the book for damage.

“Hmm, that is true,” she hummed. There was indeed no damage to be observed. She closed the book and gently put it on the cart to return the book later to its place. “But you did make it awfully close to the deadline.”

Kaeya swallowed hard. Here it was. Another lecture on the importance of returning books on time. He couldn’t really escape without then getting a lecture on the subject from Jean. Which would only result in getting the lecture from Lisa immediately after Jean.

“But you did return it before the deadline,” continued the Librarian. “So, I will let you go.”

Crisis averted. He wouldn’t lose an hour of his life on the lecture on the importance of deadlines in returning the books in pristine condition (which he did) and on time (which he also did).  

“Thank you for letting me borrow it, have a great day.” Kaeya had managed to escape the clutches of the Dragoness. He might not be that lucky next time. Still smiling,  he quickly made his escape but crashed through the doors into one of the knights that were apparently off duty and braving the Library. Both men scrambled to their feet and Kaeya was filled with dread. The knight was sweating and had a shine of hope when his eyes landed on the Captain.

“Ah, Otto. So nice of you to return the book.” All that Kaeya could feel was the tiny hairs on his neck standing up. As if the air was full of static electricity. He braved a glance at the Librarian. The air was purple with the charge the Lady Librarian was holding. And she was smiling. Kaeya patted the knight’s shoulder who was whimpering before he strategically retreated.

Later, Kaeya would swear that he heard the screams of agony as he climbed the stairs to his office.

Chapter Text

The first time Kaeya had seen the traveler was immediately after Dvalin’s attack on Mondstadt. Not a hair was out of place on their head as they were inspected for a sign of injuries by his favorite outrider. Amber being their only outrider in Mondstadt had nothing to do with that. (And all who said otherwise were dirty liars.)

But it was not the first time he had heard of the Traveler. Reports of the blond-haired outlander were coming for several months. They usually were found either fishing at the beach or exploring the Stormbearer Point. For some time, the reports also mentioned a fairy-like creature that floated and disappeared and spoke the Common tongue. Apparently, the Traveler fished the creature from the ocean, and it was now teaching them the tongue. Nothing in their behavior was pointing to them being interested in the city. Until Amber stumbled into the unusual pair in Whispering Woods and decided to bring them into the city.

It was very fortunate for the Traveler that Amber gifted them a glider. Although their arrival coinciding with the Attack led to some more interesting theories and conclusions that he would definitely work through at a later time. Although he was thankful for them repelling the Dragon from the city.  

But the Traveler was not from around here. And it was seen from all the reports he was getting as they were gathering resources and preparing to clear the Temples from the Ley Line disruptions.

From the beginning, if the Traveler could, they would climb the walls instead of going up the stairs. There were instances where they would climb almost to the top and then fall and keep standing by the wall as if shocked by the gravity betrayal before attempting to climb once more. Not only that but the Traveler could also be often seen climbing up the buildings as well and collecting the eggs and the Philanemo mushrooms that grew on some of the buildings and the mills.

They didn’t limit their foraging to the city. They could be often seen outside roaming the wilderness collecting all the herbs and fruit they could find, sometimes collecting even the seeds of the dandelions. And sometimes from the open boxes in Springvale. The citizens weirdly did not press any charges and when pressed would explain that before looting the Traveler would fight some hilichurls or other enemies in the area (again collecting small things from the fights like broken masks and firm arrowheads) and as they never asked for anything they decided to allow the Traveler to ‘loot’ the boxes. Especially, considering they took one of some fruits or vegetables.

Kaeya also understood why the Traveler signed up with the Adventurers Guild. Even though Jean had granted the Traveler the title of the Honorary Knight of the Knights of Favonius the whole ‘Honorary Knight’ jig couldn’t provide for the Traveler and their companion. They did provide a room for them to use but the Traveler seldomly used it and spent most of their time outside. Kaeya himself was intending to provide the Traveler with a new weapon, the moment he had some free time to talk to Wagner.

There was also an increasing number of reports about strange chests that spawned in hilichurl camps that were locked behind the Abyss seal and would open for the Blond Outlander after they cleared it. It had never happened before and Kaeya was scrambling to find an explanation for the phenomenon. 

The less said about the floating statues spread all around the region that changed color the better. Apparently, the Traveler managed to use them to teleport all around the area.

Yes, the Traveler was proving to be an enigma. He will just have to keep his eyes open and be ready. Just in case.

Chapter Text

Kaeya leaned out of the window of his office to observe only the most bizarre training he had ever seen. And sadly, it was not the first time he was watching the scene below.

There was Ellin talking with the Traveler. He could hear Ellin asking the Honorary knight to break the wooden dummies in one fell swoop. This time the dummies were arranged in a half circle.

The traveler studied the position of the dummies before taking a position. With a shout of “Quake!” the Honorary Knight shook the ground causing a localized earthquake with geo spikes remaining in the ground and the dummies all fell. The Traveler had totally nailed it. As usual. And apparently just came from Liyue.

“Nailed it!” the girl jumped delightedly. “I never thought of trying that… Thanks! I’m gonna try it myself now.”

The Captain was ready to bet anything that the Traveler was puzzling out the mechanics of Ellin’s attempt to do the same attack without a vision as they have never seen what Ellin did after the demonstrations.

“Not bad, Traveler,” the Captain applauded from the window causing both to look up, Ellin immediately stammering a greeting with the Traveler serenely waving at him. “Come up to my office next, Traveler. There’s something I might need your expertise in.”

The Captain stepped back to his table leaving the window open, well aware of Traveler’s dislike of all stairs. As it was explained to him with Paimon’s help – the Traveler preferred speed. The faster way to get to their destination, the better.

And as he had expected not a minute later the Traveler climbed up into his office through the window.

“Ah, welcome Traveler,” the man offered his greetings, leaning on his table. As Paimon immediately showed up he greeted her as well. “Paimon as well.”

“Good to see you, Captain Kaeya!” the little floating fairy waved her hand as the Traveler nodded in agreement. “So, what was it that you wanted our expertise in?”

“I wanted to ask if you had ever seen Ellin do the same maneuver after you showed it to her?” Kaeya motioned with his hand at the window. The pair of outlanders shook their heads. “I highly recommend it.”

The Traveler glanced at their companion, brows furrowed. They then glanced at the Captain but it is hard to figure out Kaeya’s facial expression on a good day. The Traveler followed by Paimon edged to the window and looked out. Ellin had just finished setting the dummies back again and was standing closer to them, eyes closed in concentration. She then opened them and stomped her leg with a shout of “Quake!”

Nothing had happened.

The traveler looked back at Kaeya arching an eyebrow.

“This is what you wanted us to see?” questioned Paimon, but Kaeya only waved at them to keep watching. Ellin tried again and again. But then there was something, and…

…Ellin didn’t disappoint.

All the dummies were broken, there were no remnants of geo spikes in the ground.

“How?’ the pair shouted in disbelief. Paimon continued to add on to the question.” But she doesn’t have a geo vision. She doesn’t have a vision at all. Oh, Paimon is confused! How did she manage it?”

“Nobody knows,” Kaeya threw up his hands before putting them on his chest. “And apparently it will remain a secret.”

Chapter Text

Since he first saw the floating Traveler's companion, Kaeya was interested to figure out what Paimon was. She first popped out of nowhere in a storm of sparkles next to the Traveler in the Library where they spoke after Dvalin's attack on Mondstadt and since then he was diligently gathering information.

When the Traveler explained their story to them Kaeya couldn’t stop himself from scrutinizing the tiny creature Floating next to the Traveler, hardly believing what was shared. Especially the bit about fishing Paimon out of the sea. But now here it was, the confirmation of the reports. So, Kaeya had to believe.

Today he followed the Traveler to the Good Hunter’s where they had proceeded to buy a few dishes easy to eat on the way, such as Mondstadt Hash Browns, Chicken-Mushroom Skewers, and Fisherman’s Toasts. Kaeya noticed the Traveler was ready to finish her order but then Paimon continued to add on to the list of foods, such as Sweet Madame and Sticky Honey Roast. Sara had quickly added the requested items before the Traveler could object. When the dishes were ready the pair went to sit at one of the tables and the Traveler slowly munched on a Skewer as they watched Paimon vacuum the plates clean of the food.

 ‘No wonder the Traveler picks up everything they see in the wild if they must feed Paimon,’ mused Kaeya as he observed the pair. He also had made a note to speak with Sara, so that she would let the Traveler cancel the dishes if it was needed.

As a result of Paimon’s order, the Traveler set out of the city much later than intended for the commissions. They had quickly dealt with the commissions before setting out to explore. All the while Kaeya followed them at some distance. Most of the time Paimon was flying around the Traveler and telling them stories and legends of Teyvat, pointing out various plants along their path.

During this stakeout, Kaeya was 'lucky' enough to observe Traveler and Paimon in battle. Whenever the pair stumbled upon a hilichurl camp the floating Faery would disappear and leave the Traveler to fend for themselves, sometimes choosing to appear and distract the enemies. Unfortunately, it was not a fool-proof plan, distracting the Traveler as well and being sometimes the reason for their wounds. Luckily the Traveler was prepared to be wounded and quickly cleaned their wounds before bandaging them.

Kaeya would have to talk to the pair, and maybe suggest another way for Paimon to help the Traveler if she chose to do so. It would be very unfortunate if their Honorary Knight would suddenly keel over due to wounds. And horrible PR for the Order of the Knights of Favonius. The last thing it needed was news that the Honorary Knight had succumbed to their wounds... While the Fatui were in Mondstadt it would be better not to have any weak spots.

“Kaeya!” the floating riddle of a creature greeted the Captain as he was observing the Traveler fighting another camp of Hilichurls. Their hard work in clearing the camps all around the city was much appreciated.

“Paimon,” he greeted the Faery. “Productive day?”

“Hahaha, very much so,” Answered Paimon, gently bopping in the air. “Paimon was wondering what you were doing out of the city?”

“Oh, me? Just went out to clear my head for a bit,” replied Kaeya, his eyes glued to the Traveler. “I couldn’t help but notice that from the description the Traveler gave us of the Unknown God you look very familiar with the description.”

“Oh, is that so? Paimon is pretty sure that she is not the Unknown God though Paimon can’t be sure as Paimon doesn’t remember much before being fished out by the Traveler,” the Faery twiddled her fingers, shyly looking up at the Captain.

“That’s okay, I guess,” Kaeya waved her off as the Traveler finished collecting the spoils of the fight with the Hilichurls and was looking around, most likely for their companion. “Thanks for answering my questions.”

“But you didn’t ask any?” the Faery asked in confusion

“Pass along my greetings to the Traveler,” Kaeya waved her off and briskly went back to Mondstadt.

He still didn’t have enough information to make any kind of decision about what Paimon was. He will have to try alternative resources.

Chapter Text

"Cavalry Captain," Albedo called out just as Kaeya closed the door to his office for the evening. The fact that right now was an early afternoon didn't matter. Especially because Kaeya had a date with a bottle of wine which he was going to miss again, judging by the facial expression on the Alchemist's face.
"Oh?" Kaeya fervently hoped that whatever that Albedo wanted was going to be short enough.
"It is time for your annual health checkup."
Fuck.
"Now?" Kaeya questioned, as he thumbed the door handle of his office. The fair-haired man nodded. Kaeya sighed and opened the door, motioning the scientist in. As soon as the man was through the door Kaeya snapped the door closed and locked the door with the cryo application on the lock.
He had several minutes of a head start in their annual game of cat and mouse.

Kaeya quickly made his way downstairs and was already opening the main entrance door when someone called his name again.
"Jean, I would really like to help you, but I really need to go right now."
A small explosion was heard from the floor above them followed by the melodic sound of broken glass. The Cavalry Captain didn't wait for her response and quickly left for Angel's Share.
If he managed to get even a drop of alcohol before he was caught by Albedo, the scientist would cancel the checkup. And yes, Kaeya understood that it would just delay the inevitable, but he was completely not in the mood for it today.
As he descended the stairs of the Favonius Headquarters he had almost collided with Sucrose, Albedo's assistant, who was really coming out of her shell with her innovative (and arguably sometimes terrifying) experiments. (The less said about her anemo hypostasis replication experiments, the better.)
"Sir Kaeya!" the petite female exclaimed as the Cavalry Captain caught the alchemist to prevent her from falling.
"Sucrose, with all respect, " the man rightened the young woman. "No."
"But..."
"No," Kaeya started jogging from the Favonius HQ. He was halfway through his escape plan.
"I am sorry, Sir Kaeya," was his only warning before Kaeya felt his legs being pulled out from under him. He managed to soften his fall, but the second wave of Astable Anemohypostasis creation had pulled him back. He had a few seconds before Sucrose would hurl at him her Unstable Concoction. He had to get as far as possible. Kaeya scrambled to get on his feet.
"Isomer 75, type 2!" the exclamation told him that his time had run out. Kaeya pushed with all his might against the pull of Sucrose's forbidden creation.  He was lucky he was on the edge of AoE of the Large Wind Spirit and soon he was back on track to Angel's Share. Hopefully, Rosaria was already there, and he could just steal a gulp of her wine. Diluc most likely knew that he had a checkup scheduled for today and would of course interfere with his plan.
Kaeya waved to the guy manning the crafting table as he ran between the buildings and soon, he was in front of the tavern. He reached for the door handle but stopped himself just before fully grasping the handle. It was too easy. Usually, he would have much more interferences on his path. And today it was only Sucrose. The door must be booby-trapped. There was no way there was no trap on the other side of the door.
With a heavy sigh, Kaeya rounded the building and entered through the back door.
If the captain did walk through the main entrance, he would have managed to execute his plan. Alas, when Kaeya stepped through, he didn't notice a wire which he had managed to activate, and the man had quickly found himself hanging suspended in the air in a net.
Kaeya sighed. He lost. The captain glanced at the bar where he saw his brother serving a drink to Albedo.
"Master Diluc, since when have you opened a hunting season on your customers?" Kaeya couldn't help but quip. Albedo hummed as he tasted the drink and Diluc busied himself with polishing an already polished glass.
"Sir Kaeya, if you had followed the regulations of the organization you belong to you wouldn't have found yourself in this situation," Diluc snapped at his adopted brother.
"If I may interrupt," Albedo set his drink on the bar stand and walked towards the captured Cavalry Captain. "Sir Kaeya, you have cleared the obstacle course in less time than usual, even though you were caught in Sucrose's Wind Spirit. You are not out of breath.  You don't seem to favor any of the limbs, which allows us to conclude that you have no wounds. All I need to finish your checkup is a blood sample, which I can take now."
"Oh," Kaeya didn't expect such sneakiness from the Chief Alchemist. Kaeya pushed his hand through an opening in the net to allow Albedo to draw his blood. Soon the Alchemist was on his way out of the tavern, a blood sample in his pocket.
"Master Diluc, " asked Kaeya a few minutes after Albedo left. "Would you terribly mind dismantling the trap?"
Diluc glanced at the Cavalry Captain, before focusing back on the glass he was polishing.
"No, I like this new decoration." 

Chapter Text

It was so late at night that the correct terminology for the time would be early morning. And the only thing that measured the passage of time was the blood drops splattering on the marble floor in front of the medical wing in the Mondstadt church. Kaeya knew that he should come in and get his wound treated but just couldn’t bring himself to do it.

Due to the shortage of personnel, he had gone out to clear a Hilichurl camp that was a bit too close for comfort. He had easily cleared the camp but on his way, he was ambushed by another group of Hilichurls.

They are definitely evolving.

Kaeya would have been fine with the ambush and would have managed to fight them off, but one of the hilichurls was especially stubborn. When Kaeya had broken their bow, the creature attacked the captain straight with an arrow clenched in their hands and forced it deep into his shoulder. Kaeya had killed the hilichurls but now he had to go to the Church to get treated as Albedo who often worked through the nights was at Dragonspine.

With a steadying breath, Kaeya finally forced himself and knocked on the door. He didn’t have to wait much longer after that as the door opened and he was promptly pulled inside. A minute later he had found himself sitting on the patient’s cot and the Deaconess already cutting off the sleeve around the wound.

“Good evening, Barbara,” Kaeya greeted the young woman.

“It is already morning,” the woman shot back examining the wound. Oh, he caught her in that mood. Kaeya bit his lip. If he didn’t antagonize her and let the deaconess work in peace he would soon be on his way to his office where he will be able to sleep for a bit.

But Barbara had other plans.

“Sir Kaeya, how many times a month do I have to see you for your nightly visits?” the young woman called her hydro powers forward and with their help started to wash the area around the wound. The water felt burning cold on the wound.

“Dear Deaconess, I hope you understand that the visit here was unplanned.”

“Oh, I understand that, Barbara forced the man to lie down on the cot and grabbed the arrow shaft. Kaeya winced at the slight shift of the arrow in the wound. “At least you didn’t break the shaft… this time.”

Kaeya remembered the last time he had to come to Barbara with a similar wound. He had to break off the shaft as it was interfering with the arm movements. And he broke it as close to the wound as he could, but then the rest of the arrow shifted in even deeper during the battle. When he finally came for the treatment, the Deaconess had to break out the tweezers to pull the arrow tip. Of course, the extraction was so much more painful than actually being wounded. And Kaeya would bet his eyepatch that Barbara made it as painful as she could so that he would never break off the shaft. The captain had to concur though – it was a method that worked. After he had healed, he started practicing the sword also with his non-dominant hand.

Barbara clutched the shaft with her left hand, her right braced on Kaeya’s shoulder. A strange glint in her eyes. Kaeya gulped, preparing himself for what was to come.

“Brace yourself,” she ordered the captain and pulled on the arrow.

Kaeya clenched his teeth, silent but a grunt still escaping him. The arrow soon was out and Kaeya breathed out, the pain from the wound already lessening significantly. Barbara disposed of the arrow in the special bucket she had in the corner for hilichurls weaponry.

“Sir Kaeya, what am I going to do with you?” she asked the Cavalry Captain lying on the cot before her. The man tried to smile charmingly.

“Love me, heal me, never leave me?” Kaeya suggested.

“Well, I won’t say no to healing you,” the Deaconess laughed at the captain and rewashed the wound with the water from her hydro vision. As the cold water contacted the wound Kaeya grunted again in pain.

“Can’t you make the water just a little bit warmer?” he grunted.

“No,” cheerfully replied Barbara, cutting off the hydro application. She took a bottle of hydroxide peroxide from her instrumental stand. “You know it as well as I do. This treatment is… a deterrent.”

Yes. Kaeya knew that. That is why he went for his medical problems (if he felt brave enough and couldn’t treat them by himself) to Albedo. Albedo used unorthodox methods, but at least they were less painful, than the methods used by Barbara.

The Deaconess poured the peroxide right on the wound, the liquid pooling in the wound and merrily bubbling, killing all the bacteria. It was also indiscriminately killing the rest of the cells, the burning feeling from it slowly seeping deeper and deeper. Kaeya groaned, eyes closed, slowly riding the pain out. Several moments later the pain lessened as the Deaconess washed out the residual peroxide with her hydro vision.

“Kaeya,” Barbara leaned so that her face was right above the man’s face. “Look at me.”

Kaeya knew that that was an order, but he was too slow to follow it as Barbara forced his face up to look at her.

“It is unacceptable for you to get hurt,“ Barbara told him, her eyes on his singular barely open eye.

The adrenalin after the fight had finally started to vanish and the painful sensations of the wound cleansing did not help regain the lost energy. Now all that was left was the bandaging. He could easily survive that. Maybe. Kaeya was slowly drifting to sleep. Only the dressing and then he will escape to sleep in his office. But Barbara once again had something else planned.

She took an already cleaned needle already threaded with a thread that was thoroughly soaked in the healing liquid.

“It will sting a bit,” was the only warning Kaeya had before the Deaconess started to suture him. As the young woman meticulously sewed the wound shut Kaeya couldn’t care enough to keep quiet and soon the room was loud with his groans, pants, and moans. The thread luckily didn’t get snagged anywhere and even though it left a burning feeling it was soon transformed into a pleasant warmth taking away the pain. That same worth and the low humming from Barbara had helped to relax him just in time for Barbara to finish the sutures and to do the bandaging.

“That’s it,” the young woman patted his head as she started to clean the area. The warmth coming from his wound was now gently lulling Kaeya to sleep.

“Sadist,” he sleepily murmured. He had to stay long enough only to escape to his office, then everything would be even better. But Barbara just smiled at him, gently petting his hair.

“Sleep,” Barbara breathed out to Kaeya who had already lost the battle with the body demands.

Kaeya slept well that night, not waking even once.

Chapter Text

As promised Kaeya took Klee to go fishing blasting. (He was the designated Klee-sitter for today.)

“Yay! Klee is so happy! We are going to blast so many fishies!” the excited girl ran in front of the Cavalry Captain.

“Yes, a blast of the time!” agreed the man, his brow twitching. To organize Klee’s fun day with him Kaeya had to jump through several bureaucratic hoops. He needed to get permission from Jean; to help prepare the pond for the fish blasting, so that no significant and lasting damage was done to Nature (because there would be damage, he just had to minimize it); warn the people so that they would not worry. And the paperwork required to organize it all! Ugh, do not even get him started on the subject!

So here they were, going fish blasting at the Starfell Lake. No one was around the Lake and Kaeya for some time had even entertained a thought that the Hilichurls had somehow got information that Klee was going to be in the area and decided just to not be around, lest they become the collateral for fish blasting.

To his surprise, there was no damage done to their immediate area. Klee also was quite successful in fish blasting and soon they had a small mountain of fish lying on the ground between them.

“Klee hadn’t had so much fun since forever!” the girl was gushing as the Captain packed up the fish Klee had caught.

“I am glad to hear that you had fun,” Kaeya stood up, the fish vanishing into the bag he had explicitly brought for this occasion. “When we get to the city, I am sure that Sara at the Good Hunter will allow us to use the stove to prepare some grilled fish.”

“Yay! Grilled fish! Let’s go! And then we can share it with Master Jean and Mr. Albedo!” the girl cheered running around Kaeya, clearly still having a lot of energy to burn.

The pair soon went back to Mondstadt. As they were passing through the Whispering Woods, they heard the characteristic laughter of an Abyss mage.

“Oh no!” the elf-like girl cried out.

“Oh, no?” Kaeya repeated the exclamation. Klee was not the kind of girl to exclaim an ‘Oh no!’ at the laughter of an abyss mage.

“My treasure!” the girl sprinted in the direction of the laughter.

“Yes, of course. Please, run towards the threat,” the Khaenri’ahn grumbled as he switched to a jo to follow his young charge.

Although it is the threat that is going to be in danger.

The pair quickly got to their destination where they indeed saw an Abyss Mage, who was giddily jumping with a small red ball in its hands.

Oh no indeed. Did she hide her bomb at the same location as before?

“Give me back my Humpty-Dumpty!” Klee demanded from the Mage, but as expected he responded negatively.

“Ha-ha-ha! This time you will not be able to stop me!”

Oh, Archons. It is even the same mage!

What were the chances that he was just trying to make friends with Klee?

Klee was preparing to bomb the mage to try and get her ‘treasure’ back but Kaeya had managed to prevent it by unleashing his elemental skill on the Abyss Mage. The Mage did not freeze in place, but his movements had become more sluggish. Seeing the man who reduced his movement speed was now advancing on him, the Mage decided to cut his losses and quickly disappeared dropping the Humpty-Dumpty on the ground.

Yeah, no. Zero chances.

“He ran! What a coward!” Klee exclaimed rushing towards her dropped treasure. What Klee did not notice, but Kaeya did from his height was that the drop had managed to activate the cute bomb. The Captain caught his young charge and quickly left the blast range of the device. And not a moment too soon. The quake caused by the bomb tried its hardest to force the humans to the ground, but Kaeya had stood his ground, Klee safely tucked in his hands.

“Oops!”

Oops indeed. The bomb was strong enough that now they had a new clearing in the Whispering woods. The grass and shrubs on the edge of the blast radius were merrily burning, and everything within the damaged area was gently smoking. He had to put it all out completely. Kaeya knew that if he did not start immediately, they might have the Whispering Fields instead.

He groaned and started methodically freezing everything.

And when Kaeya was done, he knew that there was a high chance he will join Klee in solitary confinement.

Chapter Text

Reports of a vigilante operating at night were very inconsistent. Some reported about the vigilante duking it out with the Abyss Mages. Some reported about the sabotage of Fatui operations, while others reported that the vigilante was actually a part of the Fatui, working with them and furthering their goals. The constant in the reports was that the vigilante was a man with a domino mask that covered the upper part of his face and a dark Cape with a hood covering their body and casting a shadow on their face. And that his name was Darknight Hero.

Kaeya was tired of the little information he and his people were able to gather. And now, because of this vigilante, he was forced to pull an all-nighter. The Acting Grand Master Jean had basically ordered him to figure out the vigilante and to deal with him accordingly.

The Captain sighed and leaned back in his chair. His reflection in the dark window followed his movements. The clock struck midnight. He might as well go out to clear his head. And maybe if he was lucky enough, he will stumble on that new "irritating factor" of his job.

Kaeya leisurely exited the Favonius Headquarters, one of the lower-ranked knights attaching themselves and following him. Kaeya held in the sigh that was threatening to escape him. The Acting Grand Master had implemented the buddy system! Jean had declared that while the nightly activities of the vigilante were on the rise, nobody was supposed to walk alone.

The nerve of that woman...

Kaeya didn't do well in prolonged contact with people and preferred to work alone. He really had to solve the vigilante question as soon as possible before it got so much worse.

Everything was quiet in the upper part of the city, but Kaeya was still feeling restless. Together with his shadow, he went into the lower part of Mondstadt.  The Cat's Tail was already closing, and the drunk citizens were slowly pouring out of the bar, some of them going home to sleep off the alcohol but the rest slowly shuffling towards Angel's Share. Kaeya followed the group of drunks into the tavern, who quickly dispersed with new portions of wine and soon were continuing their nightly activities. The Captain slowly approached the bar. Usually, at this time Diluc would be manning the bar, but today it was Charles. Kaeya froze just before he opened his mouth to request a coffee. The Traveler was also behind the bar, in bartender uniform, and was slowly mixing a cocktail, following the instruction on the table.

"Charles, they are a child!" Kaeya whispered to Charles, whom he caught by the lapels of his vest and pulled over the bar stand.

"I am not a child!" came an indignant response from the Traveler.

"Hush now, Traveler. The adults are now talking," Kaeya hushed putting an index finger across his lips. He then turned towards the barman, his smile gaining that little edge, becoming more threatening than a joking smile.

"I am older than either of you!"

"I have them mixing non-alcoholic cocktails," Charles quickly calmed down the Cavalry Captain.

“My apologies then,” Kaeya released the hold on the barman. Charles nodded in response, accepting the apology.

“Anything from the bar?” Charles asked after he put his collar in order.

“I’ll have the pinecone caramel latte.”

“One latte is coming up,” Charles nodded before getting started on the drink.

“Charles,” Kaeya’s eyes were glued to Charles’ hands as they were deftly preparing his drink. “Where is Master Diluc? I would have expected him to be behind the bar.”

The Captain raised his gaze to watch Charles’ face as he answered.

“Master Diluc is currently bringing some ingredients from the storage.”

There was not a twitch when Charles answered him, but Kaeya knew he lied to him. And not because he knew Charles that well. The Traveler gave it away, twitching at Charles’ answer. So, he had found his weak link.

“So, Traveler, how did you find yourself with mixing lessons?”

“I came to visit Master Diluc, but he had to leave for the storage. He had suggested the lessons with Charles to pass the time while waiting for him,” came the reply. The Traveler didn’t look at him as they shook the tumbler in the special pattern Charles had shown them before. Kaeya was preparing to continue his questioning when he was interrupted.

“Sir Kaeya,” a knight had burst through the door. He was heavily breathing, and a thin shin of sweat covered his forehead. “The Darknight Hero was spotted outside the city walls under the Church. He was fighting the Abyss Mages.”

“Charles, Traveler,” Kaeya quickly nodded his farewell to the two behind the bar and left the tavern, the messenger knight on his heels. The Captain ordered some of his men to remain outside to watch the Tavern (he had a feeling that the vigilante will come back here after his fight) and then left to try and catch the fighters.

When they arrived at the location the fight was already over, but the combatants were not ready to part. The Vigilante was completely wet, holding a hydro Abyss Mage by the lapels, furiously shaking them in his hold. Another Abyss Mage was trying to crawl from under the Vigilante’s foot, periodically freezing the foot that was stepping on him.

“Hey!” and with a shout, the power balance had shifted. The cryo Abyss Mage had managed to freeze the other leg and the Vigilante who was turning around slipped on the frozen leg and fell down. The impact with the earth forced him to release the hydro Mage in his hands and the pair quickly absconded laughing maniacally. The Vigilante tried to follow them, but it proved to be a mistake as he fell once again slipping on the ice.

“You…” the Vigilante growled at the approaching Captain.

“Well, well, well… What have we here?” Kaeya crooned at the fallen man. From this close, he could easily confirm some of the reports. Especially the descriptions of the Vigilante. The man on the ground tried to stand up but he was quickly dissuaded by a sword in his face courtesy of Kaeya. The rest of his subordinates surrounded the pair, cutting off the rest of the retreat pathways.

“Hello, Darknight… Hero,” Kaeya greeted the man who was now keeping quiet. A few red hair tufts could be guessed in moonlight escaping from under the hood. A familiar glint in the eyes from the moonshine.

Well, no time to lose. Maybe he will be able to close the case after all.

“Help him to his feet,” Kaeya ordered and soon the whole group was slowly marching back to the city. The speed was such because the moment the vigilante was on his feet it was clear that the man had twisted his leg on the Abyss Mage’s ice.

The group was almost at the city, but their path was blocked by another group of Hilichurls. They had several pyro Hilichurls Berserkers and two rock Shieldwall Mitachurls.

“Watch the Vigilante,” Kaeya ordered to a pair of knights before throwing himself into the fight with the rest of the knights. The fight was easy, but the group of hilichurls had a backup. When they had finally finished, and Kaeya went to check on the knights guarding the Vigilante he saw the knights all knocked out.

Kaeya couldn’t help but curse. They had the vigilante in their hands!  He still had that lead in the Tavern, so as soon as he helped his knights to bring the wounded to the Headquarters, to get treatment from Albedo, Kaeya left to get back to Angel’s Share.

When Kaeya entered the well-lit Tavern, he saw his adopted brother standing behind the bar stand, mixing some drinks with the Traveler following all his movements. Charles was working with some boxes that were not here before.

“Oh, Master Diluc!” Kaeya greeted the man as he sat at the bar. Diluc raised his head to look at the Cavalry Captain. Kaya took in his adopted brother's appearance. The dark circles under his eyes seemed just a bit more pronounced than usual and his hair even more tousled than usual.

“Sir Kaeya,” Diluc returned the greeting before glancing back at the Traveler. “Now Traveler, that previous attempt was good enough, but try repeating the recipe with the pointers I gave you.

The Traveler nodded before sliding to the corner where were the instruments he was using. When both the men were sure that the Traveler was completely immersed in their task Diluc turned to Kaeya.

“So, what will it be, Sir Kaeya?”

“I still didn’t get my pinecone caramel latte,” the Captain climbed into one of the chairs. “But I don’t think that I am actually going to stay awake that long now that I have the assignment cracked.”

“Death after Noon it is then,” Diluc nodded before quickly fixing the drink. Kaeya mumbled his thanks when he got his hands on the drink and both enjoyed the muted buzz of the tavern late at night. Kaeya was the first to break the silence between them after he finished his drink.

 “The least you could do after resigning is not force me to pull all-nighters to fill in your paperwork for your nightly excursions, dear Master Diluc,” grumbled Kaeya as Diluc poured him another glass.

“Oh? And pray to tell, Sir Kaeya, how is it that I force you?” Diluc picked up a clean glass and gently started polishing it. He was working fast and methodically, quickly working his way through the glasses and setting them in the rack.

“We both know well enough about your… extracurricular… activities.”

Diluc noncommittedly hummed as he set the glass to the side. He then grinned.

“You still have to explain to Jean though.”

Kaeya looked at his adopted brother in horror.

That bastard.  

Chapter Text

The Adventurer’s Guild had requested the help of the Knights of Favonius and Kaeya, as the one with the least responsibilities, according to everybody else, was chosen as the tribute to fulfill that request.

And so, one rainy day (Rain, in Mondstadt city? Never before on his memory... ) the Cavalry Captain had found himself walking to the Guild to meet his partner from the Guild. As soon as he had arrived at the Guild he was greeted by his partner.

“Good morning, Captain Kaeya,” Kaeya stopped in his tracks. He was greeted by the unluckiest person in the whole of Mondstadt. Well, the day was bound to get even more interesting.

“Good morning, Bennett,” Kaeya replied. He then nodded to Katheryne in greeting.

“Ad astra Abyssosque. Welcome to the Adventurer’s Guild, Captain Kaeya. Thank you for taking on this request.”

Kaeya had always marveled at the Snezhnayan bionic doll. At first, he had believed like the rest of the men that Katheryne was a living person but he then later managed to confirm the rumors that the woman was a bionic doll that had managed to keep her maintenance for so many years, never breaking down and having to reboot itself when in the presence of other people.

After signing the required paperwork that Katheryne had provided him, Kaeya and Bennett finally left the city. 

The adventurer's guild had found a new domain that was by all clues provided temporary but way too hard for many of the Adventurers. To ensure its disappearance somebody was needed to explore it. But the person whom they could send in without a question was currently unreachable. (It must have been the Traveler, stuck once more in yet another nation, played by the local politics...). And Bennett's usual partner was currently on a different assignment. And so, to ensure the survival of their Adventurer the Guild had requested a Knight. Say what you want, but the Guild took care of their people.

The domain was located near the Falcon Coast. The pair had arrived at the entrance with no trouble, except for a moment when Bennett had almost fallen on a small pebble. Even the rain had cleared fast and the sun had come out. Kaeya felt in his gut that the Domain was going to be terrible. 

"Ready to go in?" Kaeya questioned his partner for the mission, as he did his last-second checks.

"I am ready!" the excited teenager raised his fist into the air. A moment later he was hit by a small pebble on his head that came from out of nowhere.

"Uh, where did that come from?" Bennett looked around, rubbing his head from the hit.

Kaeya had to remind himself that this was one of the best Adventurers the Guild had ready to spare. 

...

The Domain itself was straightforward. Enter the room, and activate the mechanism responsible for spawning the slimes or a group of hilichurls. Beat the enemies, activate the newly unlocked door mechanism, and advance to the next room. The enemies were all easily beaten by the pair, with Kaeya letting Bennett loot all the chests they found in the rooms.

The Bennett Luck struck true in the last room. The room by itself was not any different from the previous four. Stairs from the door leading down to the floor where was located the mechanism to summon the enemy, locked behind a puzzle. The door snapped shut as they passed through it.

The sudden closing surprised both men, and both rotated to look at the now-closed door. The difference was that Bennett was closer to the steps and the rotation unbalanced the young Adventurer forcing him to roll down the said stairs. Kaeya wasn't fast enough to catch Bennett's falling body and just watched with trepidation how lifelessly his partner came to a stop at the base of one of the fire torches.

"Bennett!" Kaeya rushed to the still body, trying to rouse him. Quickly checking for a pulse, the Captain sighed in relief - Bennett was alive. Just unconscious for now.

But that was a problem. Bennett required medical help as soon as possible. To do so they needed to fight whoever was going to spawn here. And to activate the spawning mechanism they had to light the torches. And the only person between them who was able to wield pyro was unconscious.
Kaeya bit his lip, quickly scouting the puzzle from his position. He saw all four fire torches. If only he had had another source of fire...  wait. He did have it! Now only for this method to work.

A heavy sigh and Kaeya snapped to action. He first pulled the unluckiest Adventurer to the farthest corner he could, away from all the action. Then he stepped back to the torches and took out his tinder box from the small pouch he had brought today with him. He quickly opened the box and took out the tinder and the fire steel. A few quick strikes over the first torch...and it lit up! Kaeya breathed out the breath he did not know he was holding. The method will work. Now only for the enemy to be susceptible to his cryo powers. He quickly lit the rest of the torches.

...

This was definitely the result of Bennett's 'Luck'.
The enemy that spawned was indeed susceptible to his cryo. The enemy that spawned was a freaking Abyss Herald. It was a Hydro Herald. But this was definitely above the regular Adventurers' pay grade.

He clenched his teeth in frustration. If Bennett had come here with his partner they could manage this fight, probably, but narrowly and with a great many injuries.
He had to finish the fight as soon as possible, he had to get Bennett back to the city. The Herald slashed with his blade with Kaeya jumped back and to the side to avoid an injury. The Herald was too fast.

"Freeze!" Kaeya cried, trying to put a bit more of his power into his elemental skill. It managed to hit the Herald, slowing him a bit, and allowing Kaeya to cause even more damage with his blade. The Herald obviously did not like the pain and retaliated. He raised both his arms and unleashed a cross-shaped water projectile. The Captain managed to avoid it, but he had to glance back, as it came too close for his liking to Bennett's still unconscious body. Resolve even stronger than before, Kaeya unleashed his elemental burst and rushed the Herald who in turn spun out of Kaeya's sword path.

"Will you fucking stay in place!" the Captain roared, before unleashing another elemental skill. That was now enough for the Herald to infuse himself with Hydro.
Kaeya scrambled from another attack before he stepped on something and fell down. Kaeya spared a scuffing glance at the object - it was his tinderbox - before focusing once more on the enemy. The Herald was advancing, preparing to make the last swing count. Kaeya knew that he will not be able to stand up in time and his skill was still in cool down. He was prepared to dodge the attack but in the end, he even did not have to.

"Everybody stand back!" A familiar voice cried out behind Kaeya. How did he end at this corner of the room again? A surge of protective fire covered him, and he immediately felt relief from all his small wounds. The voice then continued. "Take cover!"

Kaeya followed the instructions to the T, rolling to the side, away from the Herald and from somehow now awoken Bennett who with a head injury was probably gaining another head injury. Nothing of the kind had happened. Bennett was also standing in the AoE of his burst and instead of his elemental skill blowing up in his face he nicely busted through the Herald's hydro shield, causing him to vanish.

"Nice one," Kaya cheered from his sprawled position.

"Ha-ha-ha, thank you for taking care of me, while I... was... out of combat," Bennett tried to thank the Captain in return, but the man just waved him away.

"Go get the loot, I will just rest here for a bit more, and then we are both going to get medical help,"  Kaeya emphasized his point by stretching a bit more in his position.

"But I feel fine!" Bennett responded, opening the chest that spawned on the spot where the Abyss Herald fell. A distance away Kaeya could see the portal that will take them outside.

"You got hit in the head," the Captain stood up, ordering the fur that was on his shoulder.

"I always get hit in the head," the boy grumbled, as he rubbed the sensitive spot.

"You are still getting a checkup," Kaeya announced as he led his partner out of the domain. He laughed at the low grouching of the unluckiest Adventurer of Adventurers' Guild, the Mondstadt branch. This was not as bad as he was expecting it to be. 

Chapter Text

As they walked from the now slowly disappearing domain Kaeya kept an eye on his partner. Bennett suffered head trauma when he fell, and even though he walked and could fight as usual it showed. The teenager was flagging a bit. Kaeya himself was now feeling pulsating pain in his ankle and the loss of energy that came from the lowering of adrenaline levels.

Kaeya prayed to any Archon that would listen to him for Albedo to be in the city.

…

After checking in with Katheryne and reporting the success of the commission the Cavalry Captain and the Adventurer started the slow ascent to the Church. Kaeya himself was going to escort Bennett to the Deaconess and then seek Albedo’s help, but luckily, he thought and now would not have to go back and forward. Kaeya asked the Guards at the Gate if they had seen Albedo leaving the city. And unfortunately, the answer was positive, and Kaeya had to go to Barbara as well. But at least no additional walking on a painful ankle. Improvements!

The Captain shivered as they climbed the Mondstadt stairs. He most likely dodged a bullet by checking on the Alchemist’s possible location. His previous experience dictated he should present himself to tender mercies of the Deaconess of the Mondstadt Church if Albedo was not available. Otherwise, a very cross Barbara could hunt him down to administer the required medical help. Another possible development of him not presenting immediately at the Church for treatment could earn him a lodged complaint with the Acting Grand Master Jean, and then the woman would just look at him with her perfected expression of deep disappointment. (They often had to health-shame other Knights when they ignored their health).  And if Jean knew then the Library Witch would also know about it and would just laugh condescendingly at him until he got the treatment.

They had just arrived at Church Square when Bennett had stopped, his gaze becoming unfocused. Kaeya stopped immediately when he noticed it, his gaze focused on the Adventurer.

“Bennett,” Kaeya was not impressed with his condition. He walked back to the teenager and slowly raised his hand to check Bennett’s temperature. The forehead was warm to touch, and Kaeya dearly hoped that the boy will be able to reach the Church by himself.

“Captain Kaeya,” the Adventurer murmured leaning into the cool hand on his forehead, closing his eyes to enjoy the feeling.

“C’mon buddy, we are not frozen in place after all,” the teenager huffed a laugh hearing the Captain’s favorite catchphrase. “Just a bit more before we reach Barbara’s tender treatment. Can you walk with me?”

Bennett nodded, still leaning into the cool arm. With his eyes still closed he felt how the hand was withdrawn and then one of his hands was raised and slung across the taller male’s shoulder.

The pair slowly conquered the stairs leading to the Church and as Kaeya braced himself to open the big door it was opened from the inside. 

Kaeya swallowed hard. Barbara was standing in the opening, her hands resting on her hips.

"Kaeya, Bennett," the Deaconess greeted the wounded pair. Kaeya was absolutely sure that the slight tone changes in the greeting flew right above poor wounded Bennett's head. But Kaeya noticed it. He squinted at the retreating form of the Deaconess as he followed her deeper into the Church.

Barbara had favorites...

...

"Lower him on this bed here," Barbara pointed out a bed in the corner of the Medical Room as she continued to the cupboard to gather the needed supplies. Kaeya gently lowered Bennett onto the bed, the teenager once again spacing out.

"So?" Kaeya took a step back when Barbara returned, supplies neatly laid out on a small rolling table.

"We were commissioned to clear a domain," Kaeya started the explanation. "In the last room, Bennett fell down the stairs and knocked his head on the stone. He woke up in the middle of the fight with the Abyss Herald, but on the way back he started to have periods of spacing out."

Barbara hummed as she caught the sunlight in a small hand mirror and shined it into Bennett's eyes. Both eyes reacted to the light, with the irises constricting equally fast in presence of the light. The adventurer tried to move away from the light, but the Deaconess gently caught his chin with her hand.

"Bennett,  honey, it's okay. I am just checking the extent of your trauma," the young woman lowered the mirror as the teenager whined a bit in her hold. "Sh, sh... it's okay. I need you only to do one more thing. Can you do it for me?"

Bennett hummed in agreement, a small blush spreading on his cheeks as he registered Barbara’s hold on his face.

"Brilliant! Now, when I say 'go!', I want you to try and touch with your right index and then with your left index the tip of your nose. Ready?" Barbara released Bennett's face and quietly clapped her hands with a soft smile on her face as the teenager hummed in agreement. "Steady... Go!"
The Adventurer slowly but steadily managed to fulfill the order of the Deaconess, whose smile grew even wider as he progressed with the assignment.

"Amazing! Good job, Bennett!" the young woman took a small bottle from the table, quickly pouring its contents into a cup and giving it to the Adventurer who also had a small smile playing on his lips. She gently gave the cup to him and nudged him to drink it before maneuvering the boy to lie down and rest.

The whole time Barbara was treating Bennett, Kaeya stood as quietly as possible. He observed how the Deaconess treated his commission partner. She was so gentle that Kaeya could not reconcile the Barbara he was seeing now and the image of Barbara in his head. But he had to confess, he was curious to see if Barbara will be gentler with him, if for no other reason than being in presence of an audience.

After Barbara took the cup from Bennett's hands and brushed his hair away from his forehead she turned back to Kaeya.

Yeah, the audience did not matter to the Deaconess. 

The Captain involuntarily froze under her gaze which immediately hardened as she took in his form.
"Do you need a special invitation to sit down?" the young woman took a step towards the man, who in turn stepped back, to maintain the same distance between them but he miscalculated and with a small sound of surprise he fell on the bed standing behind him.

"So?"

"I... fell during the fight," Kaeya winced as Barbara growled at his admission.

"Captain Kaeya!" the Deaconess forced the man to raise both his legs on the bed and soon freed the wounded leg from its boot. The ankle was just slightly larger and warm to the touch. After a quick session of twisting the ankle at different angles and observing Kaeya's grimaces, Barbara with ease of long-term practice wound a bandage fixing the ankle in the neutral position.

Huh, maybe Bennett's presence did mellow her out.

"Now, you have to stay off that foot for at least three days," the Deaconess ordered the Captain as she poured him the liquid from the same bottle as she did for Bennett into a new cup.

"But I can't stay here! I have more obligations I have to fulfill today!" exclaimed Kaeya after giving a cursory sniff of the liquid.

"Well, that's too bad," Barbara sang as she smiled at Kaeya. "You should have thought about it before you fell! Please, drink the medicine."

" But that was an accident!" Kaeya spluttered. That was ridiculous. It was not as if he tried to get wounded.

"Please, drink your medicine," the young woman repeated herself, her eyes focused on Kaeya, hands resting on her hips.

"It stinks, what is it?" Kaeya sniffed the liquid again, before gagging at the smell.

"Medicine. Drink. It."

"No," Kaeya and Barbara were suddenly locked in a battle of wills, maintaining eye contact. They kept at it for some time. Through the window filtered in the noises of life in the city, but the pair said nothing.

A small snore from Bennett broke their battle and with speed Kaeya didn't expect from Barbara she took the cup from him. She then poured the contents into his lax mouth, managing to do without choking him. The liquid acted immediately, and Kaeya felt himself slowly fall asleep.  He scowled at the young woman, but she just smiled at him. The Deaconess just drugged him with one of Albedo's anabolics with a strong sedative effect.

"Good night, Captain," Barbara gently brushed the hair from his forehead to the side.

After all, Captain Kaeya needed a firm hand to teach him to care for himself. 

Chapter Text

Kaeya did not usually interact with the bio-alchemist, preferring their status quo of non-interference. But needs must and so here he was, knocking on the laboratory door.

He knocked his knuckles on the door, with the other hand counting three seconds before on the other side of the door was heard a gasp, tinkling of broken glass and a cough that gradually grew louder as the assistant to the Head Alchemist moved towards the door. It was soon open and there in the entrance stood Sucrose, every part of her clothes, face, and hands covered in dark glittering soot. In her hands, she held a towel with which she had obviously tried to wipe the powder as evidenced by the smudges on the cloth and the patches of partially cleaned skin.

“Hello Sucrose,” Kaeya greeted the green-haired scientist as he took her form in. He then glanced over her head at the visible part of the laboratory and held a wince. Whoever was going to clean it was going to have one heck of a time. The soot seemed to cover every single horizontal and vertical surface available. The Hilichurl’s skeleton Sucrose had at one corner of her laboratory was though suspiciously clean.

“Sir Kaeya,” the woman quietly greeted him back with a small bow. “H-how do you do?”

“None of that ‘Sir’ business, please,” he waved off the title, as was the tradition when he was dealing with Sucrose. “I am marvelous, but if we may drop the politeness requirements and get to the reason why I am here…”

“Oh, o-of course,” the towel in Sucrose’s hands was slowly turning glittery black from the way she was fidgeting with it in her hands.

“Did you, by any chance, recently spend a day with Klee?”

Sucrose furrowed her brows, the towel now becoming a ball.

“I, I was the designated babysitter,” she confirmed, eyes not even looking at the Captain.

“Was it, by any chance after one of your research sprees?” Kaeya already knew the answer, but he had to hear it from her.

“Uh, ma-maybe?” At least now her hands were completely clean. The same could not be said about the towel.

Kaeya raised his right hand to massage the bridge of his nose.

“Well, we’ve got a situation that requires your input to solve it.”

Kaeya held in one hand the heavy bag Sucrose had packed before they both left the laboratory, while the other pointed out the new landmarks.

“Here the goose-fish had initiated their invasion,” Kaeya pointed out the burnt remnants of the hilichurls camp.

“I a-am sorry?” Sucrose stopped dead. “What?”

“Goose-fish,” Kaeya repeated. “The scout that reported this was not very imaginative and he named them as he saw them. I also didn’t believe him until he showed me a photo of the animal in question.”

Sucrose at this extended her hand, requesting the picture to see for herself. Kaeya fished the picture out of a pocket and passed it to the scientist.

On the picture was indeed depicted an animal that could be called a goose-fish. It had goose feet; the body was that of a fish that gradually elongated into the gooseneck which carried a fish head. It also held a tip of an arrow in its mouth and was charging the photographer. Behind it, other specimens were depicted advancing on a group of Hilichurls with bats and shields. Some of the members of said group though were running out of the frame.

“What? How?” Sucrose spluttered as she continued to study the photo.

“Well, in my case I would need to know the answer to the question of how to get rid of them, although the answers to your questions also sound very interesting.” If only to be able to prevent this situation from happening.

The pair followed the trails of destruction and broken Hilichurl weaponry, with Sucrose stopping from time to time to try and gather material like fish scales or feathers to study the Goose-fish specimen later at her lab. Soon they came to an edge of a cliff where they took a small breather.

Kaeya was standing guard as Sucrose started a few tests to see to which of her chemicals will the new species be sensitive. She put some of her scales in tubes of acids and poisons when a loud cluck was heard. Both the humans were startled (although in Sucrose’s case Kaeya was not so sure) and immediately went into action with Sucrose quickly storing the tubes in the bag Captain Kaeya had graciously brought out for her. Kaeya himself took a position in front of the bio-alchemist.

“Sucrose, we might have to run for it,” he quietly told the female crouched behind him. She glanced around his feet to see a gaggle of geese-fish being joined by a plump descending from a cliff above them.

“Ugh, Captain Kaeya, we might not have that option,” Sucrose pointed out the edge to which they were so close.

Kaeya raised his head as if whispering a small prayer to whatever Archon could and would accept before materializing his sword.

“Would you mind releasing some of your Forbidden Creation?”

“Not at all,” Sucrose took a small vial out of the bag before uncorking it. “On the count of three!”

“One!” The gaggle was fully grounded and all of them had a weapon clutched in their snouts.

“Two!” Kaeya pulled out a small bottle of water also uncorking it.

“Three!” ”Anemo Hypostasis Emulation!“ They cried out simultaneously as a honk was heard all over the gaggle as if a war cry calling to take up arms and attack the humans.

A Large Wind Spirit erupted from where Sucrose threw her vial and a moment later it was infused with Hydro from the bottle Kaeya threw a split second after Sucrose. A lot of the geese-fish were immediately pulled into the center of it and with Kaeya unleashing his elemental skill all these animals were frozen solid. A few hurls up in the air and they vanished in puffs of smoke.

“Sucrose, again!” Kaeya shouted over his shoulder as he unleashed his skill once more before having to parry a goose-fish that had managed to acquire from somewhere a small sword.

Sucrose threw two more vials from which the Large Wind Spirits also erupted, each pulling a large group of the precisely named animals with Kaeya flinging some of his water inside to infuse them again.

Those three bursts had managed to decimate a huge part of the gaggle but there were still a lot and the pair was slowly pressed closer to the edge of the cliff.

“Sucrose, we might need a repeat performance of your burst!” Kaeya was physically fighting these geese-fish, trying to push them back to allow for some breathing room but with the height difference, it was an uphill battle.

“Uh, you are all out of the water though?” Sucrose asked as she dug inside the bag. Kaeya winced a bit at the not-accusation. “It doesn’t matter. I think I have an idea I would like to try.”

The small tinkling of the glass bottles as she mixed a new concoction was covered by the relentless honking of the geese-fish. As soon as it was ready, she announced as such, and Kaeya quickly moved to the side to allow the bio-alchemist a clear view.

“Forbidden Isomer 23 - Crepuscular burnet!“

Sucrose threw another vial that quickly exploded releasing a Large Wind Spirit. Kaeya frowned as he watched the new Spirit take form, change its colors into a darker green with red spots and promptly finish off the rest of the geese-fish, leaving behind a few of the specimens which immediately tried to leave the scene of mass culling.

“Keep one of them alive!” was heard before Kaeya threw himself at the remaining quickly disposing of and capturing one of them with an Omni-Ubiquity Net that the Traveler gave him before.

When Kaeya got back Sucrose had already packed her bag and was jumping from leg to leg, her hands extended towards the trussed animal and a quiet chant of ‘Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!’ could be heard from the bio-alchemist.

“Here you go,” Kaeya gingerly presented the struggling animal to the woman and picked up the bag ready to escort the scientist back to the city of Mondstadt.  

Later this evening, when Kaeya was organizing the schedule of Klee babysitting he swore to never again put Sucrose on the schedule without making sure she was not coming off a research spree.

Chapter Text

“Traveler, please give me your sword and follow me,” Kaeya had finally caught up to the Traveler as they were walking to the Good Hunter after their daily commissions.

The Traveler exchanged glances with Paimon before the pair of them took a fighting stance.

“No.”

Kaeya blinked at the reaction before raising his hands, palms towards the Traveler.

“I sense I made some sort of mistake. Let me explain.”

The traveler just scowled at him, but Paimon did motion for him to continue.

“I just wanted to upgrade your weapon. Every time I see you fighting you have the dull blade,” Kaeya rushed with his explanation. “It can’t be safe!”

The Traveler’s scowl got even deeper, but Paimon relaxed and turned towards the Traveler.

“Didn’t you say that you used to have a matching sword with your twin?” Paimon was floating in a thinking position before flying right into the Traveler’s face. “Now you will be able to afford the more expensive one! You can pool your sword money with Kaeya!”

Kaeya waited patiently as he watched the Traveler fight with his dignity.

The Traveler shot Paimon a look filled with such hurt that Captain winced at the second-hand accusation. Paimon was airing the Traveler’s problems for all to hear. From his previous observations, Kaeya knew that the Traveler was also having money problems as the little fairy continued to eat through their wallet even though the Traveler continued to gather food whenever it was possible, even collecting meats and fowl from the Hilichurl camps. So any money the Traveler could use for the sword most likely was not enough to get a sword that would hold through their adventures.

Kaeya knew that the wait for the Traveler’s decision was over when the Traveler blew out a heavy sigh.

“Thank you for the offer,” they bowed in thanks to the man who just swung his arm to rest on their shoulder, and the pair, with Paimon floating after them, walked towards Wagner.

“Hello, Wagner!” Kaeya cheerfully greeted the smith who was working on a hot piece of iron, forming it and forcing it to elongate.

“Captain Kaeya,” the smith grunted between the hists of his hammer.

“I’d like to commission a sword.”

The smith froze, his arm stopped mid-swing as he raised his head to look at the Captain before noticing the Traveler who was trapped and the man’s arm. Traveler’s companion floating by their head, head tilted to the side as she curiously looked at his work.

“A mo. then,” Wagner nodded before turning back and shouting for his apprentice. “Schulz! Take over!”

The apprentice quickly took Wagner’s position and continued to work on the still-hot metal as the smith led the trio to the back to look at the available swords.

“About time!” Wagner took out several swords and set them all on the table before also setting a few dummies for testing. “Now then, Traveler, show me your sword.”

(What followed next will forever remain in Kaeya’s memories.)

The sword that the Traveler had presented for inspection after his encouragement was a very well-used and cared-for dull blade. But even he could see that the sword had in it maybe two more strong swings before it would have snapped and left the Traveler stranded without a weapon at the worst moment. Wagner swore before snatching the sword from the Traveler and throwing it into a basket of broken weapons he was collecting in the corner.

“You are not leaving here without a new sword,” Wagner announced, setting his hands on his hips. Kaeya could not fault the Traveler for shivering at that statement as the smith did look just a little bit deranged. Guess the sword was in worse condition than what he saw. Then the Captain chanced a glance at Paimon who was uncharacteristically silent. She was floating and inspecting all the swords presented on the table.

“Grab a sword and try it on the dummy!” Wagner ordered when the Traveler was still standing frozen in front of the collection from having their sword so roughly decommissioned. The Traveler snapped into action and picked a sword that Paimon pointed at. Then they walked towards one of the dummies and made a few trial swings.

“Harder!” the smith ordered, and the Traveler winced before complying. As Kaeya watched over the process, he noticed that even now when the Traveler was swinging harder they still didn’t use all of their power.

Wagner growled in frustration. He also saw that the Traveler was not applying themselves to the swings.

“Traveler…”

The Traveler froze once more, indecision shining in their eyes.

Kaeya sighed before pulling out his sword.

“En garde!”

The sparks flew as the swords blocked each hit. Kaeya unrelentingly attacked the Traveler, forcing them to use more and more strength to block the attacks.

A high-pitched shriek and a tinkling sound broke the pair as the Traveler dumbly looked at the broken blade in their hand. The other part was embedded in the roof, still slightly vibrating.

“Paimon?” the Traveler whispered the name, looking around trying to locate their companion who floated out from behind Wagner, having dived there for cover. They breathed out a sigh of relief when they noticed the fairy was safe. “I am so sorry…”

“Grab another!” Wagner thrusted a new sword after freeing the broken piece out of the Traveler’s clenched hand.

Kaeya didn’t hesitate and attacked the Traveler with new vigor as they stared at the new sword in their hand.

The pair continued their dance. But this round didn’t last for long as the sword in the Traveler’s hands broke once more.

“Kaeya didn’t stop this time, forcing the Traveler to dance around the swings, to block with broken stump what could be blocked and to evade what could not as they made their way to Wagner. The Traveler quickly exchanged the swords and led the relentlessly attacking Kaeya away from Paimon and the smith who was examining the broken swords.

This time the sword held for longer but as Wagner opened his mouth to halt the testing both the weapons broke.

“Ugh… how?” Paimon eloquently asked from behind Wagner as the Traveler observed yet another broken sword in their hand. Kaeya quietly gazed at his own damaged sword.

“This is indeed very improbable.”

On the table were left only two swords: the dull blade and the Favonius sword. The same type of swords the pair had before the impromptu testing.

“Well, as much as I would love to have you both test these words,” at last the smith set aside the broken blades and looked at the pair of fighters sternly. “I fear that given enough time you will manage to break them as well.”

Kaeya laughed uncomfortably as the Traveler rubbed their neck in embarrassment. They did manage to break a lot of Wagner’s works. Paimon at this point had floated from behind her shield and started scrutinizing the swords left on the table. Wagner then continued.

“The only ready swords left are these on the table. Luckily for both of you, they are the same models both of you used previously.” At this Wagner made a serious face and Kaeya started fearing for his wallet. They did break a few expensive swords after all. “This time you will have to pay only for the two blades you are leaving here. Next time, Captain Kaeya, if such an event repeats itself, you will pay for all the broken swords.”

Kaeya swallowed the small stone that formed in his throat with relief and nodded in agreement. His wallet will live to see another day!

“You, on the other hand, Traveler,” said Traveler jerkily nodded to show that they were listening. “When you need a new sword, I will give you a discount if you agree to do a similar in-intensity sword test.”

The Traveler happily nodded at the offer, with Paimon loudly cheering by their side.

“Good. Now. Away with both of you! Schulz and I have now lots of work thanks to the pair of you!” Wagener chased them away with a broom that was handed to him by the named apprentice who had already started cleaning the remains of the (disastrous) testing.

“Thank you!” the Traveler quietly thanked Kaeya before hugging the Captain when the trio was far enough from the smith. Paimon echoed the thanks a second after the Traveler.

“No problem, Traveler,” Kaeya ruffled their hair before the Traveler broke the hug and quickly made their escape, Paimon waving him a ‘goodbye’ before floating after the Traveler and beginning to nag them about a sticky honey roast.

“Absolutely no problem, kiddo,” Kaeya whispered, a small smile on his lips.