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The day had utterly exhausted you. Taking commissions all day had just about worn you dry. Of course, working with the Knights of Favonias was certainly not helping your exhaustion. It’s on grueling days like this, where all the stress piles on you; it crushes you under the weight of responsibilities - where sometimes you question yourself why you were given your vision. Your feet ache as you walk yourself home. Living in the city of Mondstadt came with a plethora of its own unique challenges. Despite all the trouble that was constantly brewing, you loved your home dearly. Mondstadt had a well known, quaint charm to it. And the locals? Well, some say they were the heart of the city. You liked to say that someone in the city had your heart.
You bear the heavy key to your home, and unlock the door. You push the heavy wood, and shut the door behind you. You rest against the door for a few moments, just trying to keep yourself together for a little bit longer. The familiar fuzz is starting to cloud up your head. You pushed it aside, for now you just wanted to flop onto your bed. So you did just that. You barely had the energy to walk to your room, let alone take off your clothes or even your shoes.
You started to doze in and out, until there were familiar footsteps approaching. You heard a chuckle from the doorway.
“Hello darling,” Called the Captain. He walked closer, and laid a hand on your head. “Oh, my, look how exhausted you are.” Kaeya mumbled. You nodded, but made no move to turn. Your body felt too heavy for even that. “Snowflake, are you feeling small?” He asked quietly.
You shook your head and made a sound of disagreement. “I’m not little.” You muttered back. You both knew it was a lie.
Kaeya sighed. “We’re not playing this game tonight. You’re exhausted.” Kaeya said firmly, all playful suave gone from his voice. “I’ll be happy to play any other game except this one.”
You groaned, which dissolved into a whine.
“See? You’re already slipping. I’m going to get you your cozy pajamas, and we’re going to change.” He decided. Not for the first time tonight, you just didn’t have the energy to argue. Kaeya gently turned you over, and smiled. “There you are my little darling.” He murmured. He pressed a kiss to your cheek, and sighed fondly. He left your gaze for a moment, to grab your favorite pair of pajamas. Like clockwork, Kaeya mindlessly changed you - your routine was the same every time. Once your clothes were put on you couldn’t help but let the long sleeves hide your hands. It always made you feel so much smaller. You kept looking at Kaeya, while he made his way around the room tidying up. You remember the first time you had slipped, he was right there to catch you. Sure, he had no clue what was going on, but he could always act fast on his feet. That day nestled itself in your memory, always making you feel warm and safe.
“Now then, does a certain little snowflake want to get into bed?” He cooed at you. You nodded happily, crawling into bed, and burying yourself under the covers. You hear Kaeya chuckle, as he pulls the blanket up to make room for himself under the covers. You crawl up a bit, poking your head out from the warmth. The first thing you notice, is that Kaeya’s lap is empty. More importantly, it’s there for the taking. You plop your head down in his lap, and let out a little giggle, kicking your feet and squealing in delight.
“I’m not even sure why you still fight me on this anymore.” He muses. “Look at you, you needed this. I needed my baby.” Kaeya says sweetly, gently scratching your scalp, and threading his fingers through your hair. “Oh, I almost forgot.” He smiles, reaching onto the nightstand to grab something. All of a sudden, something is prodding at your mouth, you focus in, and you realize what it is. Kaeya is holding your pacifier to your lips. You lazily open your mouth, and he pops it in.
You finally feel at peace, safe from the world and people around you. You feel yourself relaxing against his body. You grow drowsy, and your eyelids feel way too heavy.
“My little darling.” The man above you coos. “Go to bed snowflake. Rest. I’ve got you.” With that, you allow sleep to take over.
Your morning starts with someone all but banging on your door. You awake groggily, pacifier still in your mouth. You’re torn. You can’t open the door like this. You just can’t. But it needed to be answered. Tears start to form. You just can’t think. Normally in the morning after you regress, you take slow steps to entering your normal headspace. You hear someone groan next to you. Kaeya. You shake him desperately, hoping he’ll just wake up already.
“ Shit, I’m up, I’m up. He says, clearly tired. He turns to you and gasps. “Oh darling. I’ll take care of this.” He promises, hoping out of bed and sprinting to the front door, ceasing that loud, awful banging. You start to breathe slow, just like Kaeya taught you to. When you’re calm enough, you let the door peek open slightly, trying to listen in on who it is, and just what they want.
“...And we need both of your help.” A woman says frantically. The voice sounds familiar. “I’m not sure where Eula is, and Jean and Lisa can only hold them off for so long.” Upon further inspection, you get a good look at who’s there. It’s Amber, you can easily spot her for her usual red getup.
“Alright, we’ll be there as soon as possible.” Kaeya nods. Amber heads off, and Kaeya returns to the bedroom.
You’ve already forced yourself out of your headspace, and have started to get dressed, and get your bearings. This was no time for you to be playing baby.
“Snowflake-” Kaeya starts.
“I’m fine.” You reassure. Even though you’re still iffy on the whole adulting thing.
Kaeya huffs. “You’re not.” He argues.
“It doesn’t matter right now, it sounds like there’s trouble and both of us are needed.” You slip your shoes on, and head towards the door, everything you need ready for battle. Before you open the door. Kaeya stops you.
He wears an angry glare. “Listen to me, you should stay.”
Your eyes go wide, and you feel your fighting spirit, and lingering anger rising. “Absolutely not. You must be out of your mind if you think I’m going to stay put! Move Kaeya, we’re losing time.”
You can tell he wants to argue back, but he just sighs. “Fine. Let’s go.” He releases his grip on your wrist and you sigh right back at him.
“So what’s the emergency?” You honestly don’t want to talk to Kaeya right now, but you still need to be filled in.
“A huge group of Abyss mages are right at the front of Mondstats gates. They started to attack nearby civilians. Luckily no one was too badly hurt.” Kaeya informs you as you both run to the gate.
“Alright, so what’s the plan?”
Kaeya smirks that utterly charming and mischievous smile. You feel a lot less angry at him just seeing it. “Give ‘em hell.”
You find yourself smiling. “Now that’s a plan I can get behind.”
When you arrive at the scene, you and Kaeya both start attacking. The battle was a difficult one to say the least. There were even a few close calls. But as always, Kaeya swoops in to save you.
You all are out of breath by the time the last mage is defeated.
So much for today being a relaxing day.
Finally, someone speaks. “Let’s debrief in my office.” Jean announces. Everyone starts to walk along at a languid pace, exhaustion clear in the air. Amber starts getting her usual chipper energy back, and starts chatting with Lisa, who happily listens along. You fall back, walking right next to Kaeya. You both look at eachother. You hold each other's gaze for a beat, then burst out laughing.
You voice your earlier thoughts aloud. “So much for relaxing today huh?”
“You said it.” Kaeya replied. He took a breath, and smiled. “How are you, darling?” He asks, a bit more seriously.
Your smile drops, as you look to your feet. “Not good.” You whisper. “‘m sorry I was ‘ellin at you. Wasn’t nice.” You mutter, feeling awful for how you directed your anger onto him.
Kaeya smiles, as his hand grasps yours. After battle, your hands always get sore. Having his cool hand hold yours soothes you, and calms you. “It’s ok snowflake. You were confused and scared. I understand.” His thumb starts to rub your hand, making you smile. “Do you still feel little? Where are we right now?” He whispers.
You sigh, “Yeah, feel all floaty. Tired.” You grumble.
“And cranky, definitely cranky.” He laughs. “Oh boy. What ever will I do with you snowflake?”
“Be nice.” You huff, a pout forming on your face. “‘m not cranky.”
Kaeya smiles, “Oh yes you are little one. But that’s alright. I love you especially when you have that sweet little pout on you face.” He teases. “You’re just my sweet little baby huh? Huh? Oh, yes you are.” He coos, voice sickly sweet.
“Don’ tease!” You whisper-shout.
You all finally arrive at Jean’s office, and you all breathe a sigh of relief. Jean begins to talk, and you start to zone. Kaeya quietly whispers into your ear. “The adults are talking now, snowflake. You don’t have to listen, I’ll tell you when you’re a big kid later.” He assures.
With that knowledge, the meeting goes by in the blink of an eye. You all part and say goodbye, and after a brisk walk, finally you return home. As soon as you walk through the door you let out a loud groan.
“You said it.” Kaeya mumbles. “C’mon darling, bedtime.”
Before you start your nightly routine, you give Kaeya a big hug. “T’ank you ‘Aeya. Love you.” You whisper.
You know Kaeya is smiling above you. “Anything for my little snowflake. I love you too.”
You stay like that, just for a little while longer. You know no matter the stress, no matter the situation, no matter the odds; Kaeya will always take care of you, no matter what.