Work Text:
Kaeya Alberich is not real.
He wore a melded mask of different personas chipped from the different people he’s had the pleasure of meeting. He got his work ethic from Lisa and Jean, the pleasant smile he often offered to the general public from Barbara and the fashion sense from his estranged father, to name a few. He likes to think that the person he is today is all thanks to the people he’s met along the way.
As a child, Kaeya was told that Archon-loved cities were filled with terrible people who only knew how to take and never give. He was taught that the people from the different cities on Teyvat were nothing but selfish pigs who did everything for the sake of their own good.
He quickly learned that none of the Khaneri’ahn teachings were true.
If he had to count the good things that happened to him in life, he's pretty sure it would fit in one hand. But he should preface it by saying that all good things started with a scared redhead that fell from the sky, offering his hand in friendship to some stranger he didn't know but somehow found kindred friendship in. That quickly took a turn when his homeland fell and everyone fled, Kaeya never seeing the freckle-faced kid ever again.
Then it was a kind man and his equally kind son. (Both relationships took rather sour turns in just a few years.) What was Kaeya expecting? His life never really provided him with a reason to believe that good things could actually stay happy, you know?
The next act of kindness he was faced with was from a city with freedom flowing in their veins and generosity pumping from their hearts. Then it was a guild filled with brave and righteous people who aim to serve and protect those that could not protect themselves.
His circle kept growing and growing until he could no longer count just how many friends he’s made in the years he’s been above the Abyss. If you told his 8 year old self how much progress he’s made in the years, he wouldn’t have believed him. In fact, Kaeya doesn’t believe it much either but that’s just hindsight speaking.
Maybe he should’ve been less cynical about the state of his life but what else was he supposed to expect when all he was faced with growing up was bad luck upon bad luck. The weight of the world rested on his shoulders since the day he was born with the stars glimmering in his left eye, golden as the sun and bright as it too.
He thought he found solace in Mondstadt, the city accepting just about everybody that stumbled through its gates with open arms. They were naive like that but also kind, so, so kind.
Kaeya would’ve died if he was dropped at the gates of another city but he was dropped at the feet of Barbatos’ domain and like every free child, the god took him into his arms and let his people nurture the child in a way a god never could.
As time passed since the fall of Khaenri’ah, he truly thought he was never going to see Ajax again.
Ajax, his sword, or so the other teen proclaimed the minute Kaeya bested him in a fight.
Kaeya stood above the redhead with his sword pointed at his jugular. The fallen teen looked at him with nothing short of admiration and hunger gleaming in his eyes.
“Let me be your sword, my prince.”
Silence enveloped the two of them, the only sound that could be heard in the courtyard was the faint chatter of people from the distance and the heavy breathing from both of them. Then a smile appeared on Kaeya’s lips.
“Are you sure you’re up to that task, Ajax? There is no turning back from this once you’ve made your decision.”
Ajax immediately rose from his lying position into a kneeling one. “I will honor my promise to you, my prince. I will remain wholly loyal to you and serve my purpose as your sword. Use me as you please.”
Kaeya watched him with amusement and affection. It was easy to love Ajax, with his flushed cheeks painted with freckles that looked a lot like stars and eyes bluer than any crystal he’s ever seen before. But the thing that endeared Kaeya the most to him was his smile and fire, coming out as the victor on any challenge he’s faced with even though there are no chances of him ever winning.
It was easy to love him and it was just as painful to watch him go.
Kaeya sighed and wiped his hand over his face. There was a reason he hated reminiscing about things from the past. It made his chest hurt and his eyes burn with intensity he thought he lost long ago.
“Captain Kaeya, are you alright?” A voice inquired from the doorway.
Kaeya looked up and immediately sent them what he hoped was a comforting smile. “Yes, I’m fine. Thank you for asking, Huffman. What brings you to my office?”
Huffman gave him a once over and a suspicious look before continuing. “Acting Grandmaster Jean has called a captain’s meeting in her office. Even Captain Albedo has come down from Dragonspine for whatever reason it is you were called.”
That made Kaeya’s brow raise. Albedo was one of the people he was closest to. They were complete opposites in terms of personality but Kaeya liked staying in his office in Dragonspine, just listening to him mumble about whatever his current project was. However Albedo was a massive hermit and preferred keeping to himself. Kaeya could count on one hand how many times Albedo came down the mountain willingly to attend a meeting without him or Klee having to go up and persuade him to.
“That is very interesting information, Huffman. I’ll be going then.” Kaeya replied and stood, stretching his arms above his head.
“Do be careful, cap. I heard rumors there’s a Harbinger walking around town.” The knight said with disdain before saluting and leaving.
Kaeya has never had anything but minor altercations with the Fatui, so he has no reason to watch his back. Diluc, on the other hand, was a completely different story. He knows that his older brother went around beating Fatui members when he was in Snezhnaya and the thought of it brings a smile to his face. Sure, he was persona non grata now but that’s what made the entire ordeal even funnier.
He knocked on Jean’s door before waltzing in with a pleasant smile. “Hello, my beloved colleagues. What–” He slowly trailed off, eyes now glued on the familiar mop of red hair and familiar noctilucous blue eyes.
“Kaeya, this is the 11th Harbinger. Tartaglia, this is Cavalry Captain Kaeya Alberich. He’s going to be your guide for the next–”
“Excuse my language, Grandmaster, but what the fuck?” Ajax burst.
The entire room looked at him in alarm. “Is there a problem?” Jean asked, eyes narrowed as she assessed the man in front of him.
Kaeya gave him a warning look. This wasn’t the time, goddammit Ajax.
“I thought you were dead.” The Harbinger continued.
Kaeya sighed. “You thought wrong.”
“I looked for you for so long.”
“Then you were looking in the wrong places.” Kaeya replied simply. He pretended that he wasn’t about to turn and run as he watched Ajax approach him like prey prancing towards their prey. He froze in place when he felt a warm hand cup his cheek. “Ajax.”
“I thought I was going mad, Kae. They told me I was only gone for three days. Three days.” He whispered. “I thought you were a figment of my imagination for a better part of my teenage years.”
Kaeya knew the other man was starting to dissociate. He’s familiar with it. He turned towards his colleagues with a strained smile. “Mind giving us a bit of time?”
“We expect an explanation after. Understood?” Jean said firmly. He could see the concern underneath all that authority. They are friends first and foremost.
Kaeya nodded and exchanged a look with Albedo. The blonde simply nodded before leaving the room with the rest of the Favonius members.
“Come on, Ajax. Come back to me. I’m right here. I’m real and breathing.” Kaeya whispered right next to his ear. “We’re alive.”
“We're alive.” Ajax murmured in response. “I miss you.”
“I’m right here, Ajax. There’s nothing to miss.”
“I’ve missed you for years.”
“And we found each other again. You found me again.”
Ajax did not dignify him with a response. He simply buried his head into the junction of the cavalry captain's neck, pressing a kiss there. They sat in silence, Ajax still held in Kaeya’s arms. Kaeya's hands were cold— they reminded him of home.