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The sun has set, and the birds have all gone home to rest for the night. Yet, Kaeya was still in school, attending his additional history class with his friends. Maybe if I didn’t stay up binge-watching movies and instead studied, I wouldn’t be here. Kaeya thought to himself. The male turned his head to the back, checking if he was the only one who was bored out of his mind. Itto was making paper airplanes, and Childe was…making goo-goo eyes at their tutor.
“I think we can stop here. I wouldn’t want you guys to run into any problems while walking home-” Zhongli looked out the window, “Especially this late at night.” He sighed, taking his glasses off.
He was a year ahead of everyone else and also the history teacher's favorite pupil, he's also incredibly popular with the ladies, but he's utterly unaware of it.
Everyone got their things ready and left the classroom. Kaeya was first to exit the room, Childe trailing behind him.
–
Kaeya sighed at Childe’s usual rambles about Zhongli as he collected a few other things he needed to bring home from his locker. This has become a routine for him, Childe gushes to Kaeya about Zhongli anytime he’s free, usually, Kaeya would act annoyed, telling his best friend to shut up for a minute about their upperclassman to which Childe responds live laugh Zhongli. Kaeya can only rub his temple in circles. But honestly, Kaeya enjoys Childe’s presence, he’s one of the longest friends he’s made ever since moving here which makes Kaeya treasure his friendship with the latter very much.
“Did you see how Zhongli took off his glasses was so- Kaeya, I’m going to start crying,” Childe whined to the bluenette about how sad his love life was. Kaeya gave his friend short answers like “mhm”s, “really?”, “I see." God, was he tired of watching his friend be so down bad over someone who also likes him.
“Kaeya. Are you even listening to me?”
“Huh? Yeah, continue.” Kaeya answered half-heartedly. No, he wasn’t. Poor Childe, his friend’s mind was thinking of something else. Someone else. Kaeya checked the time on his phone. 16:54. 2 missed calls from ‘batman wannabe’, A new message from ‘batman wannabe’.
Why is Diluc calling him out of the blue?
Kaeya redialed Diluc’s number and got an answer back immediately, “Oh did you miss me so much to the point you had to call me, dear brother?” Childe could hear a muffled gag from the other side of the line.
For some reason, Kaeya was able to see Diluc’s eye roll in his head despite it being a voice call. “Hell no, Father and Adelinde were wondering if you’re going to have dinner at home tonight?” Diluc asked.
Kaeya nodded.
“...Hello?”
“Shit! Yeah, I’ll-” Kaeya was about to say yes when a familiar voice he hadn’t heard in a while screamed his name.
The screams became louder, scaring even Childe, and a small child who seemed to be no more than eight launched herself at the bluenette. Kaeya, thankfully, had reflexes fast enough to catch the little girl in his arms in time. Klee looked up at him with big glassy eyes, it seems that she’s been crying.
Klee and Kaeya became friends not too long ago after meeting accidentally at the park on a very uneventful day. In all honesty, never in his life did Kaeya ever expect to befriend an eight-year-old girl, let alone his crush’s eight-year-old sister. Still, Kaeya isn’t complaining, Klee’s adorable and very bright for a girl her age. Kaeya found himself growing a huge soft spot for the little girl. As the youngest son of the Ragnvindr family, he’s always wanted a little brother or sister who he could take care of and spoil.
“Hello? Kaeya?”
Kaeya has forgotten about his phone call with Diluc just now (as has Childe, who is just silently watching the entire thing happen in front of him). “Um, I think kshhh…you’re kshhh…breaking up, Diluc. See you at kshh…kshh home!” With that, Kaeya ended the call.
(Meanwhile on the other end of the line:
“Hello? Hello? God damn it, Kaeya.” Diluc facepalmed himself.)
Kaeya sets Klee down on the ground safely, “Klee, what’s wrong? And why are you still at school so late, shouldn’t Albedo be here to pick you up already-”
Klee frowned sadly in response. “That’s the problem! Albedo gege suddenly won’t wake up! Klee was scared so Klee looked everywhere for someone to help! But then I heard ummm…” The girl looked at Childe who was waving at her with an excited smile plastered across his face, “That gege’s voice so I followed it and found you!”
Klee frowned sadly in response. “That’s the problem! Albedo gege suddenly won’t wake up! Klee was scared so Klee looked everywhere for someone to help! But then I heard Ummm…” The girl looked at Childe who was waving at her with an excited smile plastered across his face, “That gege’s voice so I followed it and found you!”
Kaeya’s smile dropped at the mention of Albedo suddenly not waking up according to Klee’s words. “Klee, what do you mean? Where’s Albedo now?” He asks, his voice full of worry as he looks at the young girl with a serious face. Klee pointed at the Chemistry lab just down the hallway, “There-”
Kaeya picked Klee up immediately without hesitation, immediately darting to the lab the girl pointed at just a second ago. Childe lets out an offended gasp, “Are you seriously going to make me walk home alone?! You traitor!”
Kaeya yells across the hall, “Don’t worry, you won’t go home alone!”
“What’s that supposed to mean?!”
“If you don’t mind, I can walk you home.”
Childe turned around and he, too, almost screamed as loud as the little girl that stole his best friend away from him. “Zhongli?!”
–
Kaeya opened the door to the lab without hesitation. He already assumed Albedo was the type to push himself to the limit when it comes to school but he didn’t know it was this bad. His eyes immediately fell on the figure that was slouching. “Albedo? Hey, Albedo.” Kaeya immediately rushed to the blonde’s side.
Albedo wasn’t passed out as Klee said but he did seem more tired than usual, “Albedo, can you hear me?”
Albedo looked to the side and immediately widened his eyes, rubbing his eyes, he can’t believe what he was seeing, “...Kaeya? What, what are you doing here?” His voice was soft. Albedo has always had a soft voice but right now, it was a different kind of soft, almost as if he’s weak. Kaeya wanted to scold Albedo right now for overworking himself and scaring the life out of both him and Klee but chose not to because of the eyebags under the shorter male’s eyes.
Kaeya sighed, “You don’t look okay. Pack your things, I’ll walk you and Klee back home.”
Albedo immediately jolted up to decline the offer, “You don’t have to-” but was instead met with an intense headache that made him fall face-front. Thankfully, Kaeya was able to catch him on time but due to Albedo’s burning body, he almost let go by accident.
“Mmm, I don’t have to, huh? Sure. Klee,” Kaeya called for the male’s sister, “You know the way home right?” Klee nodded.
“Alright. Watch your brother for me and make sure he doesn’t move a finger. I’ll pack his things first.” Kaeya said as he picked up the beige-colored backpack laying on the floor.
“Kaeya, I don’t want you to get home late-”
“Shut up. My house is just around the corner.” (It’s probably not.)
Albedo sighs, there’s no way he can convince the taller male to listen to him at this point.
“Just bring my laptop and the notebooks on my desk, Kaeya. But honestly, you’re overreacting-” Albedo tried to reason with the other male in the room only to receive a “Shh!” from both Kaeya and Klee. Albedo shuts up for the rest of the time Kaeya packs his things. Kaeya finished packing his stuff in no time.
“Let’s go. Klee, climb up, I’ll give you a piggyback ride.” Kaeya crouched down to Klee’s level, allowing her to climb up his shoulder easier. Once Klee was secured and Albedo’s backpack was slung on, he gently grabbed Albedo’s hand.
Albedo was too tired to decline at this point and had just accepted he was going to walk home with him.
Now, Kaeya wonders, did he forget something? It feels like he did but he can’t remember what it was…
(Meanwhile at Dawn Street…
Diluc answered the door, unamused to see someone that wasn’t his brother at the front door. “What do you want, Childe?”
“How cold, Diluc! If I didn’t know any better, I’d assume your heart is as cold as ice!” Childe crossed his arms, teasing the redhead. Diluc rolls his eyes, annoyed at his junior’s antics.
“Get to the point, Childe.”
“Your brother’s backpack. Now, bye!” Childe and his classmate Zhongli left as soon as they dropped Kaeya’s backpack.
“What the heck?! Kaeya that bastard!”)
–
The walk home was uneventful, besides the occasional “turn left”s and “turn right”s from Klee, none of them exchanged any words.
“Stop! This is Klee’s home!” Kaeya looked at the building and it looked to be right, he assumes. Kaeya presses the doorbell nervously.
A woman who seemed to be in her early 40s answered the door, she had long golden locks, her eyes red as crimson and she was wearing a red silk robe. The woman resembled a grown-up version of Klee. She must be her mother. “Ah, you guys are home! I was about to go to school to pick you guys up myself but Francessca stopped by and we talked for hours. I didn’t want to kick her out of the house as it was rude but- Oh! We have someone else here? I’m so sorry I didn’t notice you, dear.”
The woman’s tone is the same as Klee’s, naturally high-pitched and very cheerful. It’s terrifying how much of Klee’s genes were passed on from her mother.
She introduces herself, “Oh dear, I apologize! You were just standing there so quiet so I didn’t notice you, ugh, I’m getting old aren’t I? Anyways come in, come in, you’re one of Crepus’s boys right? Um, if I have to guess, you must be little Kaeya, right? How’s little Diluc? I haven’t seen you boys in a while, hehe! I remember how Crepus would always bring you guys to our little get-together with our other friends! Oh, but you must have forgotten already, it was so long ago!”
Klee’s mother lets the kids in, and just as soon as Kaeya was about to speak, she continued. “My, look how much you’ve grown. You went from a cute little boy to a handsome young man, dear! Crepus must be proud of you. Ah, right, I’m Alice, I doubt you remembered my name from long ago, after all, you were so young and tiny! Probably younger than little Klee!”
“Anyways, Kaeya! What brings you here?”
Kaeya mentally sighed in relief, as he was able to speak now. “I’m sorry for intruding Aunt Alice, it’s just Albedo passed out in the Chemistry lab and I don’t trust him to bring himself and Klee home safely in this condition.”
Alice gasped. “Why didn’t you say so? Albedo, why didn’t you tell me, dear?” She reached for his forehead, pressing her hand against it only to take her hand back immediately, “Dear, you’ve got a fever! You should’ve told me you were ill, I wouldn’t have let you go to school today and would’ve picked Klee up.” The three could hear the motherly tone in her voice, “Go to your room, I’ll go prepare some carrot soup for you so just rest, okay?”
“Kaeya, I’m sorry for asking for more but could you stay and watch Albedo for a bit, at least until the carrot soup is ready.” Alice apologized to Kaeya for burdening him despite being a guest. Kaeya shook his head, “It is no problem, Aunt Alice. I worry about Albedo as well so I want to help as much as I can too. But right after I call my brother though.” Kaeya searched for his pockets only to gasp. His phone and backpack.
“Actually, could you call my father instead? I think I left my phone at school on accident.” Alice nodded, “Of course, dear!”
–
Kaeya followed Albedo inside his room, setting the blonde’s backpack aside.
To his surprise, Albedo immediately reached for his backpack, Kaeya let out a gasp, “Absolutely not. You are going to rest whether you like it or not.” Albedo sighed, he glares at Kaeya with his tired eyes. Kaeya notices his eyes were duller than usual. There’s no way he’s going to allow Albedo to work on anything school related for the rest of the night. Kaeya leads Albedo to the bed and forced him to sit down.
“You’re overreacting.” Albedo coughed mid-sentence, “I’m already feeling better.” the shorter male sat on his bed much to his dismay. Kaeya shook his head, not believing any of Albedo’s words.
“And you’re not taking care of yourself, of course, I’d react like this!” Kaeya responded. He rubbed his temples, “Just…lay down alright? I’ll be sitting here to make sure you’re resting and not working on anything.” He sat down on Albedo’s chair, crossing his legs and arms. He takes his job watching Albedo very seriously.
–
A loud knock was heard outside of Albedo’s door, “Albedo gege! Kaeya gege! Mama’s done preparing dinner! Can we come in?” A child’s voice was heard from the other side.
“Come in.”
The door opened and Alice walked in with two bowls of carrot soup, “Sorry for taking a long time, my little helper made a small mess in the kitchen but everything’s fine!”
Kaeya looked at Klee who was wearing an apron. She must be the little helper. “No worries, and what’s the second bowl for? Should I feed Klee?” Alice laughs.
“No, dear. That one’s for you. I feel bad for making you walk both little Albedo and little Klee home and then making you watch Albedo, I know how stubborn he can be, especially when he’s sick.” Alice eyes the blonde, and in response, Albedo refuses to make eye contact with Alice.
She continues, “So, this is a thank you and my way of repaying you for helping me, dear. Also, Crepus told me you can stay for dinner and your bag and phone’s already with little Diluc.”
Kaeya lets out a sigh of relief, “I see, okay. Thank you, Aunt Alice.”
“No problem, dear.”
–
Alice and Klee left the two alone after they finished their soups. Kaeya looks at Albedo who seems to be in much better condition. “Kaeya, I’m sorry again for making you walk me back home.”
Kaeya sighed. “Albedo, this is like the third time you’re apologizing, seriously, I don’t mind.”
The bluenette gets up, “I’ll get going now, I hope you’ll feel better soon.” Albedo gathered all his courage and energy from his body, “Kaeya, wait, uh-”
Kaeya pauses mid-track and turns his head. “Yes?”
“Um, thank you.”
Kaeya smiles, “You’re welcome. Now, rest, alright?”
Kaeya was about to exit the door when Albedo suddenly called for him again, “Kaeya! One more thing.”
Kaeya turns around, once again, “Hm?”
“Uh, I’ll treat you something to eat or something when I get better.”
Kaeya declines, he wasn’t helping Albedo because he wanted him to repay him. There’s no way Kaeya will accept this offer, “Albedo, no, I’m only doing this because I want to, not because I want you to repay me-”
“I’m doing this because I want to too!”
“...”
“...”
Very bold, Albedo. The sick blonde thought.
“Ah, well, who am I to decline an offer from the Albedo Kreideprinz, am I right?” Kaeya teases, Albedo’s face turning as red as a tomato.
“We can discuss about it once you feel better, alright?” Kaeya reassures Albedo and in response he nods.
“Goodnight then.” Kaeya turns off the lights in Albedo’s room. “Goodnight.” Albedo spoke softly.
Kaeya shuts the door to Albedo’s room, and quietly head downstairs. Alice, who was at the living room quickly walked up to him.
“It’s getting really late, are you able to walk home, especially with how dark it’s gotten- Oh, how about this, I drive you back home? Yes? I don’t mind! I’ll grab my car keys, you wait here, dear.” Alice was about to leave when Kaeya immediately declined her offer.
“Aunt Alice, you don’t have to. My house is just around the corner. It’ll only take twenty minutes for me to walk home. Thank you, though.” Kaeya said. Alice was hesitant in letting one of her friend’s son walk home alone in the dark like this but there was no point arguing with Kaeya, she knew that. She remembers how hard-headed Crepus used to be back in her days. It must run in the Ragnvindr bloodline.
“Alright then, you’re always welcome to come back, alright? Take care, Kaeya!”
Kaeya nods, “Thank you, Goodnight, Aunt Alice!”
Kaeya closes the front door. Once Alice made sure Kaeya was far enough to not hear her. She grins, “They’re so in love.”