Chapter Text
— C —
Spending time in Mondstadt would have been a reward for most people. The region was often idyllic, safely protected by the Knights of Favonius. Citizens and tourists alike didn’t have to worry as long as the Knights were around.
Which is exactly what made the experience nothing short of torture for Childe. He had been given a vacation . After everything in Liyue and then having to clean up the mess left by other Harbingers, Childe had earned some rest. If only it was in Liyue, where his charming lover and beloved personnel were instead.
He couldn’t deny his terrible reputation, not only as a member of the Fatui but as the somewhat deranged man who tried to unleash a God upon Liyue. (At the very least, Liyue had started to see him as an idiot who thought he could beat a God, not one trying to bait one out.)
Everywhere he went, whether for business or pleasure, had suspicion on him. Even stepping out for dinner had people act as though he’d start a rampage.
He had self-control , thank you very much. Even if that self-control was rapidly waning with every overcharged meal and set of passive-aggressive directions given.
Childe is ripped from his thoughts by the sound of footsteps behind him. He spins around, hearing someone speak.
“Lord Tartaglia,” the Captain of the Guard greets with a light-hearted wave and grin.
Right, Captain Kaeya of the Knights. The man was mysterious, something about him was hard to ignore. Whether for good or for bad, Childe wasn’t quite sure.
But, so far, their interactions had remained mostly cordial, even if a bit tense.
Childe forces his body to relax, against his own instinct. “Please, just call me Childe.” There was no point in making this the first encounter to go sour. “How can I help you, Captain?”
Kaeya closes the distance as he shrugs. “I'm acting on a favor for a friend. It seems we have a mutual acquaintance in Aether.”
“Aether's in Mondstadt?” Finally, someone he could have some fun with.
Kaeya shoots him a puzzled look. “I was surprised when they looked excited to learn you were here, but I guess based on your reaction, you guys must get along.”
“We have a mutual appreciation for strong opponents,” Childe says with a shrug. He chooses to ignore all the other reasons they were close, such as the many times where Aether had caught him in an embarrassing state after the events with Zhongli.
Kaeya nods. “Well, good to hear, because that's what we're looking for. There's an infestation of Abyssal creatures that are building a nest of sorts a bit too close to the city. Aether insisted on recruiting you for the mission.”
That explained all the malicious energy he had been sensing whenever he left town.
“I'm happy to help, after all I've been itching for a good fight.” Childe grins, clapping his hands together.
“Oh? The missions from the Guild weren't enough for you?”
Childe freezes for a moment before swearing. “The kids snitched, didn't they?”
Kaeya’s serious expression breaks and he openly snickers. “Of course, they did. They're good kids.”
—
Kaeya leads him to a winery in town, one of the more popular ones, Dawn Winery. After getting chased out by the owner, Diluc, Childe had determined that most wine really wasn't worth potentially getting arrested. Sure, maybe a few judges would understand fighting in self-defense, but Ekaterina wouldn't.
He was not sitting through another behavioral lecture.
But, maybe he would need one anyways, as he notices someone familiar beside Aether.
“Xiansheng!” Childe picks up his pace, weaving through the small crowd towards his partner.
Zhongli turns around, letting Childe slot into his embrace with ease. Beside them, Aether snickers.
“The Fatui has an owner?”
Childe pulls away, glaring at the owner of the voice. Diluc.
“Relax, Diluc.” Kaeya clicks his tongue. “He's here to help us out, as Aether's friend.”
He had set aside his uniform for most of his time in Mondstadt, carrying only his Delusion and mask. For the most part, he wasn’t here as a Fatui, he was supposed to be on vacation.
Aether nods, sighing lightly. “Childe can be trusted.”
And, with that, Diluc stops arguing. Leave it to Aether to be able to quell someone like that with a few words.
Childe steps away from Zhongli, feeling the slight tug of resistance from the other. Instead, he focuses on Aether, grinning once again.
“It’s good to see you again, comrade!”
“Same here, Childe.” Beside Aether, Paimon bounces up excitedly.
“Paimon’s here too!”
Childe rolls his eyes, grinning fondly. It hadn’t been more than a few months since he last had seen Aether and Paimon but the reunion was easily enough to brighten his spirits after the cold reception of Mondstadt.
And Zhongli’s presence made it much much better.
Childe claps his hands together. “Alright, comrade! Tell me, what’s your plan for this little mission?
Aether returns his smile with their usual expression, warm and confident. They glance around, between the four men gathered.
“With all of you, it should be simple.” They pull out a map and spread it before the group. “Let me explain…”
— K —
Having Aether appear to help with the infestation was a relief to say the least. Especially with how easily they gathered allies. With more and more problems cropping up, the Knights were quickly getting spread thin.
So, even if a Harbinger wasn’t his first choice, Kaeya wasn’t about to turn down the help.
Aether had quickly mapped out a plan, indicating the specific path of travel they would take. They would loop around the encampment, to scope it out before making any rash decisions.
The Traveller was vague, but there was something Aether wanted to confirm before they took it down.
They would set out tomorrow, only taking the time to gather resources for the challenge ahead.
In the meantime, Kaeya can’t help but keep his eyes on Childe.
The hollowness in his eyes was unsettling enough, but there was something about Childe that felt… familiar.
Not in the way you would recall an old friend, not in the way you would recognize a person from a description.
It was like coming back to a place you hadn’t seen in years and remembering everything, from the smells to the sights.
It felt like—
Kaeya stops at the sound of a mug hitting the table in front of him. Glancing up, Diluc stands before him, his usual look of disdain on his face.
“I usually don’t care about anything you choose to do, but don’t tell me you’re interested in that. ”
The mug before him isn’t full of alcohol, but rather warm cider.
Kaeya makes a face, rolling his eyes as he takes a sip. “Don’t worry, that’s not why I’ve been watching him.” At the silent prompting from Diluc, Kaeya shrugs. “Something about him reminds me of something. I don’t know what, but I can’t help but be curious.”
“Aren’t you just reminded of the past?” Diluc mutters, shaking his head. “It’s bad enough to deal with you, but I only agreed with working with him because of Aether.”
“You wound me, Diluc.” Kaeya says teasingly, but despite it all, some part of him is relieved that his brother didn’t have to be convinced to work with him.
“Is this something to be worried about?”
Kaeya bites his lip, casting another glance towards Childe.
The man is animated, bright as he teases Paimon. The smile on his face seems real, even to Kaeya.
He shakes his head. “It seems like we’re on the same side right now.”
Diluc nods, walking away as he shouts for Aether. Whether he trusts Kaeya’s word is entirely a mystery. Though, the answer was probably no.