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Kaeya awoke to a small foot slamming into his sternum and he reached up without opening his eyes to pull Klee’s foot off of him. She kicked agressively into his hand until he grabbed onto her ankle and dragged her into a vertical position instead. She rolled over twice as Kaeya finally gave in and opened his eyes, watching her nearly throw herself off before she settled.
Jean was missing from the bed, leaving Klee free range. Kaeya sighed fondly, shaking his head in amusement. He sat up and let his back crack before he climbed out to walk to the other side.
Carefully, he slid his hands under Klee’s small form and lifted her up. He held her against his chest easily, grabbing for the comforter again. With a few tugs it came free from where it was tucked. Then he lay Klee in the very middle, wrapping the blanket around her until she was successfully burritoed.
For good measure he grabbed his and Jean’s pillows and tucked them on either side of her. It would keep her from falling off. Hopefully. It was too early to have an excitable Klee running around.
He glanced at the clock to confirm the time, sighing softly when five seventeen blinked back at him.
Kaeya listened carefully, hearing soft shuffling in the apartment. It wasn’t coming from the bathroom, which meant…
He stepped into the kitchen silently, keeping his footsteps light and steady. Then he slid one hand under the edge of Jean’s nightshirt, well his shirt actually but she’d stolen it. His fingertips danced on her hip, brushing over her skin and the edge of the small shorts.
“I thought I said I would be cooking breakfast this morning. Yet I see a mixing bowl that I certainly did not get.” Kaeya hummed against her neck, chuckling when she jumped a little. He caught the hint of a glare when she glanced back at him but it was gone a second later when she leaned into his chest.
Kaeya pressed a kiss to the crook of her neck and shoulder, happy to let her lean against him. He would be perfectly fine holding her in his arms until they both left this life. The very idea was enough to compel him to brush another kiss against her skin, so he did.
“You did,” Jean admitted, almost sounding guilty, “But a little knight managed a well placed kick to my back and I couldn’t quite manage to sleep again.”
That made him wince, sliding the hand on her hip to her stomach instead until he could pull her fully against him. His chin hooked onto her shoulder and he leaned his head against hers. It was his fault she was awake this early, he should have put Klee between himself and the edge, or crashed on the couch.
“Sorry, Jeanie.” Kaeya murmured, thumb rubbing against her skin. His other arm moved to wrap around her waist and help hold her close.
He’d need to let her go to cook, but for the moment he wanted to linger. It wasn't often they had days like this. Ones to breathe rather than rushing through coffee and into work to ensure the city hadn’t burned down when they slept.
Which was an unfortunately genuine hazard these days with the abyss getting more aggressive recently.
“It’s hardly your fault. You couldn’t have known she’d wake me up. I am curious how you slept through it so well.”
“Oh, that’s because Diluc used to try to murder whoever was in bed with him until he was… fourteen?” Kaeya said cheerfully, a smile slipping onto his face when she laughed. “Every sleepover was a fight for my life, but it also gave me a reason to kick him off.”
Jean tried to hide her snort behind her hand, shaking her head at him. She turned to look at him properly, abandoning the mixture in front of her. His grip on her loosened until she was chest to chest with him, leaning against the counter.
Her lips met his for the barest second, but it was more than enough to make his heart flutter and his eyes slid shut. A hand brushed fingertips over his cheek and he leaned into it obediently, fully willing to let her do anything for a single touch.
After a moment of silence, he let go of her hip with one hand until he could hold hers. He pressed a kiss to the center of the palm, holding it there even as his eyes opened again.
He was greeted with Jean looking at him with what even he could only describe as overflowing love and adoration. It was enough that he had to shut his eyes again and kiss her hand again, he wasn’t sure he could survive looking at that even after all of these years together. It was too overwhelming, but he could never leave or ask for anything more or less.
“Good morning, Kaeya.” Jean finally murmured, and another kiss was placed on his lips. This time she let him kiss back, whispering his own greeting into it.
When she pulled back, he opened his eyes fully. His hand tightened around hers, almost afraid she’d pull away from him.
She looked amused, pulling his other hand from her hip and turning so she could get back to stirring while holding his hand. He tried to complain, reaching around for the bowl and insisting she rest on the couch, but she squeezed his hand as if reminding him that she could manhandle him to the ground and leave him burritoed in the bedroom with Klee if he intervened when she didn’t want him to.
He loved her so dearly.
“Want to tell me what happened last night? Klee sounded pretty upset when she first came in.”
Kaeya sighed at the memory, stepping as close as he could. Very gently he tugged his hand from Jean’s, turning to lean his back against the counter and stare at the closed door at the other side of the apartment. Their shoulders brushed together and he took comfort from her steady presence.
“Nightmares. Pretty bad one.”
Jean frowned to herself, glancing over at him.
“Klee doesn’t usually run across the entire compound for a nightmare.”
“She does for this one. Remember that abyss mage a few months back?” Kaeya’s heart lost its levity at Jean’s affection as he explained to her the night’s events.
Jean was silent even when he finished speaking, carefully pouring milk into the mixture in front of her. Pancakes probably. Jean always made pancakes when she thought Kaeya had a rough night.
She rubbed her face tiredly even as she stirred and Kaeya reached for her wrist. He held it gently, wondering if she’d pull away.
She didn’t. She let him halt her movements and Kaeya didn’t need to see her face to know she was probably crying. She had a heart of gold that was bared for the entire world to see, she could never manage to not cry over something as heartbreaking as this. Klee was like family, their little Spark Knight.
He tugged her wrist gently until she folded into his arms. She didn’t sob, but he felt the tears soak through his shirt. Her sighs were full of heartache and she pressed harder against him until he was holding her as tightly as he could without hurting her. He rested his chin on her head, murmuring her name comfortingly.
He’d had the night to walk through the emotions step by step and had Klee’s smiling face at the end of it to make it better. Jean would be quietly upset for a while longer, so he settled against the counter to wait it out.
One hand reached up to card through her long hair, carefully untangling it with a practiced hand.
“Hey, we’ll talk with Alice and Albedo, okay? We can talk to Lisa too and Amber, we’ll all keep a better eye on her. Maybe drag Diluc up here to show that he’s fine and that it was just a bad dream.”
“Sorry, I-“
Kaeya shushed her and pressed a kiss to the top of her head.
“No need for that Jeanie, not for this.” He promised, leaning back so he could cup her face and wipe away the traces of tears. “Go make coffee. I mean it. I’ll finish breakfast. We can discuss more later, with Alice and Albedo. Until then, let’s just have a good morning.”
Jean sighed as if trying to force the tension from her shoulders.
“I was going to make them bunnies.” She admitted, looking over at the half mixed batter.
“ Jeanie .” If anyone else heard the gasp in his voice, they would have labeled it as mockery and amusement. Jean knew better. Kaeya always let her see behind the mask, to the touched and overly emotional side the very thought of the act brought him.
Pancakes were a comfort food. Pancakes that took twice as long due to the nature of getting the shape right just like Adelinde always did, was one of the most loving gifts Jean could give. She tried to streamline everything, including meals for both of them and rarely paused to give more than the barest amount of energy towards it.
Jean glanced back at him, smiling softly. Her hand reached out to brush over his, their fingers holding each other for a moment.
“I’ll take care of it.” He promised again, tilting his head toward the coffee pot. “Go get coffee and sit down. No more talk of this until nine am at the earliest.”
She didn’t sit down, something that didn’t really surprise Kaeya. She cradled the coffee like it gave her life, leaning against the counter and watching Kaeya heat up the pan to start cooking. He tossed her a cocky smile, just to see the amusement flicker in her eyes.
“Don’t just stand there and stare at me, I’m sure you can think of something to say. And if you can't, maybe it’s because you’re distracted by something calling for you.” He pointed over at the couch and got an eye roll for his joke.
She hummed softly into the mug, watching him with a curious look. Her head tilted and he wondered what her revenge for his teasing would be. Maybe she’d threaten to make him have to do more paperwork, and then backtrack when he agreed to do it.
“… Y’know Kaeya, you handled Klee pretty well.” Jean said conversationally and ignored his suspicious look. “You’ll make a wonderful father one day.”
Oh she was going for honesty and love, not revenge.
Kaeya’s mind went blank for a second, staring at her. His vision blurred slightly and he couldn’t even reach up to scrub it away. He grasped for a response but all that he could think about was the tightness in his chest. The hope of such a future was chased by fear of being his father and the terrifying state of the world.
Kaeya blinked twice, letting Jean’s face finally come back into focus.
Jean was watching him, her eyes understanding and patient as always. She’d stand there forever waiting for him to put himself together or call for her. She’d be by his side forever.
They’d promised.
Shield and Sword.
Jean and Kaeya.
Whatever happened… He was already different from his father, from his past. He was already changing this world, fighting the abyss and the fatui alike for a better future. He was never alone, not while the knights lived.
Not while Jean lived.
“And you, Jeanie, will make a wonderful mother.” He finally forced out, the fear washed away by her simple nod and smile.
“Well, with all of the experience with Klee at the very least I’ll have the patience necessary. And I’ll have you.” Jean laughed softly, moving closer to offer him a sip of her coffee.
He couldn’t help the urge to get a little poke in, his own silent revenge for purposely messing with his heart and making him feel things.
“Your coffee? If I didn’t know any better,” Kaeya said, starting to carefully pour in the batter, “I’d think you might be in love with me, Acting Grand Master.”
Jean’s eyes narrowed playfully at the challenge and Kaeya’s heart sank and fluttered all at once.
“Truly? Such a compliment this early in the morning, how sweet of you Cavalry Captain Kaeya. What a wonderful thing to be.”
Kaeya turned his head away to hide the dark flush crawling over his cheeks. He could hear her chuckling at his response, taking back the coffee.
How was he supposed to get through life like this? Forget ever having kids, Jean was going to kill him before he ever managed that proposal he’d been begging Venti to help him out with. His heart couldn’t take this.
“Mind your behavior,” Kaeya said, holding his head up high even if he couldn’t meet her eyes and adding a pompous tone. “Such actions are unbecoming of someone like you, harassing the cooking staff.”
The bark of laughter that erupted from her was too much, he couldn’t help himself.
He put the spatula down, reaching for her coffee and pushing it and her hand down onto the table. His other hand moved to cup her cheek and she leaned up to meet him halfway into the kiss. She was so warm under his touch, smiling hard enough that he had to break the kiss a second later and simply pepper smaller kisses against her jaw.
“Kaeya, Kaeya the pancakes-“ Jean laughed, unsuccessfully fending him off when she had a handful of his shirt keeping him in place.
“I don’t care.”
“Okay, then the cookware that you’ll be cleaning when it burns.” Jean said instead and Kaeya sighed and straightened up.
Only to get dragged back down when Jean finally calmed down enough to kiss him properly.
“Pancakes.” Kaeya hummed this time, remembering that they were both supposed to be adults here. Still, Jean kissed him again. Then another two more times for good measure.
She finally released him with a gentle push to his chest and he turned back to the pancake, to decide if it was doomed or not. After a second of deliberation he decided it was fine and flipped it, turning back to Jean in hopes of being rewarded with another kiss.
Jean had returned to her coffee and though Kaeya could see the amusement and affection in her eyes over the mug, he knew it was a lost cause. She’d had her monthly allotment of breaking the rules of being a boring adult and now she wasn’t going to let him burn their food just to spend more time kissing her.
He turned back to the pancake, laughing when he saw his flip had lost the bunny a blob of an ear. He half wished he could make them perfect, Jean deserved that, but they were much funnier like this.
He didn’t even try for perfection the next time, trying to see how fat he could make the bunny before it stopped looking like a bunny. He could hear her moving around, disappearing into the living room for a moment with the sound of rustling papers.
He turned his head to tell her to leave it for later, only to find her holding a calendar with a thoughtful look in her eye. She moved back to the kitchen, flipping a few pages until she was looking at the current month.
“Kaeya?”
“Jean?” He called back, nearly burning the pancake from staring too long.
“Do you remember when we were seventeen, Diluc had just left, Varka sent a letter telling us to-“
“Get fucked?” Kaeya said with far more cheer than the memories called for.
Jean’s glower burned into the back of his head and he shrugged, careful not to look at her. He had his opinions on Varka and she had hers. He just happened to think that she was fully in the wrong for the hero worship and needed to shout at Varka for a few hours. He loved Varka’s method of running the country, leaving them to their own devices and never getting in Jean’s way. He also despised that it started before they were even adults.
“To take care of the country.” Jean continued and Kaeya hummed. “I’m talking about the first night after that, when you became Cavalry Captain.”
“Of course I remember that, I’m almost insulted.” Kaeya glanced over, eyebrows raised. “I thought Sir George was going to faint when I swore myself to be your knight not Varka’s… Heh… But if you’re going to ask me to repeat that promise, you’re going to have to wait until I’m more awake to remember it.”
That was a lie, Kaeya knew that oath well. He knew both oaths he’d sworn that muggy summer. The one sworn in front of the entirety of the Knights, eyes on Eroch like a vow to take him and his ilk down with each promise, and the one sworn at the top of the headquarters to Jean and Jean alone.
His chest ached with the memories of that night. It had been a terrifying day, full of bitter anger, manic lust for blood and revenge, and the horrifying realization that what stood between his country and the total annihilation of everything the Knights stood for was two seventeen year olds. Jean and himself.
Jean’s eyes said she knew he was lying, knew he knew every word like it was carved into his soul. He turned away before she could start digging into his soul and leave him bared open. It was far too early for that.
“You’re getting in your own head and I haven’t even said why I brought it up.” Jean’s eyebrow raised to match his. “You’re not the least bit curious?”
“My most dear Jeanie,” Kaeya said, hand over his heart, “I simply believed you just loved me so much you wanted to remind me of our promises to each other. The sword to your shield. Your personal aide until death takes me. Ever yours to use, to fight with, to-”
“I thought you said you couldn’t remember it this early.” Jean cut him off, shaking her head fondly.
Kaeya shrugged in answer.
“You could just let me get away with wiggling out of whatever emotional conversation you want us to have?” He offered, fluttering his eyes at her and looking away again before she gave him that look of eternal and loving patience that always cracked him in two.
“… Okay, if you really don’t want to have this conversation.” Jean sighed. “I guess I’ll tell Lisa and Eula that I don’t need them to cover us for a day off. I suppose our anniversary isn’t that important to you.”
Kaeya blinked dumbly at the wall for a moment, trying to remember if they’d ever done an anniversary celebration before. Normally their days were just… Dinner together. Whether it was their relationship anniversary or the day of his becoming her captain.
He didn’t even get her a present last month for their third year anniversary because she’d asked him not to so she wouldn’t have to worry about one either. It was always just dinner. They preferred it that way.
“Why do you suddenly care?” Kaeya finally asked, not bothering to hide his suspicion. “Is Lisa holding you at vision point to go on vacation? Not that I’m not happy to spend the day with you, but it’s something you’re usually against.”
Jean hummed and then fell silent. When she didn’t say anything else, Kaeya paused. Jean wasn’t one for pranks, atleast not pranks like his own. Her pranks were moving that weird frog statue around the house to make him jump out of his skin. So what was she doing?
He turned around with the click of the stove turning off, crossing his arms and raising an eyebrow at her.
She was watching him with a closed off expression, the one that meant she was thinking deeply about something and didn’t want him to guess what it was. Her eyes flickered to him and gentled, her face breaking into a loving smile.
“Marry me.”
“Where did that come from? I mean yeah, of course, always yours- but where?” Kaeya was too flabbergasted to even properly be flustered by her proposal.
“I am allowed to be spontaneous, you know.” Jean said with a soft laugh, reaching out to take his hand. “I just… Just watching you Kaeya. You with Klee, you laughing over pancakes, you being here with me, how much you care about everyone… I don’t really want to wait around on it. I know we swore to stand by each other and be together forever when Diluc left and Varka didn’t come home, but that’s between us and that was for Mond. I want to be yours, for you, for us. Something that’s not because we’re seventeen and scared and alone.”
Kaeya stared for a moment, his mind grinding to a halt. Then he stepped up, this time it was less excited than his kiss earlier. It was patient, almost methodical. He took his time putting the batter into the fridge so he could focus solely on her, he didn’t want any distractions.
He reached for her, heart stuttering like usual when she stepped into his arms immediately. Her hands moved to lay on his forearms, sliding up to his shoulders and cupping his face.
“I want to be by your side for you, not because I’m scared of everyone else.” Jean murmured softly, smiling lovingly at him. “We made that promise when we were hunting Eroch, when we didn’t know who to trust. But I want to make another promise now, for you. Not for Mond. Not for anyone else. For you.”
“Jeanie,” Kaeya breathed softly, trying to get his mind to work. “I… Yes, obviously. Obviously I’m yours Jeanie, I don’t think it’s very private that I’m your captain not Varka’s. I’ll promise myself to you any day. We’re not scared kids anymore, and I’m yours… This does ruin the proposal I was planning however…”
Jean laughed, a messy and wet and beautiful laugh when she dragged his head down to press their heads together. Kaeya knew he was crying too but for once he didn’t mind, moving his hands to mimic hers and cradle her face.
“You can still propose if you want,” Jean assured him. “I just needed to ask now. Just wanted you to know.”
“Ah Jeanie, I knew you wanted me to stay with you forever when you informed me that you were going to break the rules and move into my apartment, without asking Varka. You have it pretty bad,”
Jean didn’t bother admonishing him, laughing again and leaning up until she could kiss him. Kaeya melted into her immediately, kissing back sweetly. Despite his first instinct to lose himself in the moment, Klee was still in the other room and he was starving.
“Jeanie.” He tried, murmuring her name into the next kiss. “We need to eat… Don’t make me the responsible adult here.”
Jean rolled her eyes when she finally pulled away, giving him an amused look.
“… But truly, where did this come from? How did… this come from talking about Klee? How long have you been thinking about this?” Kaeya tilted his head, his lips curled into an adoring smile.
“You told me to think of something to say. I’ve been wanting to say that I want to marry you for ages. I was going to ask on our anniversary but I don’t want to wait that long.”
Kaeya laughed softly, leaning in to kiss her again.
“It’s two weeks away. I feel like I might be a bad influence on you Jeanie.”
“Perhaps. But it doesn’t change the truth. I want to be yours because I love you, not because I’m scared. Two weeks is far too long. Besides, that’s two weeks to figure out how to tell Lisa that we didn’t do a proper proposal. She’s going to be very disappointed.”
Kaeya snorted, nodding along in agreement. Then he leaned in to brush his lips against her cheek.
“She won’t be too disappointed. Don’t think you’re getting out of a proposal from me. As if I don’t know how badly you’ve always wanted one just like your novels.” He teased softly, kissing her temple when she flushed and hissed his name.
“Kaeya if you try to propose at the office-“
“Shh. I know you, Jeanie, I know you.” He murmured, hands sliding down to capture hers and squeeze once before he let go. “Get the plates, we’ll eat and talk more. I’m not going anywhere. Klee, marriage, abyss. Nothing can scare me off, not from you.”