Work Text:
(I HAVE LIKE 2 DIFFERENT STORYLINES AND BOTH ARE UNFINISHED)
(Stuffing them both into this one chapter chat)
Storyline 1 (my better one):
All Kaeya wanted to do was find and see him for himself, maybe even to attempt getting this man on his side. He was used to getting into dubious business for the sake of new knowledge on something, always enjoyed snooping around in places where information was to be passed.
That’s what he told Master Diluc when he proposed this idea to the already annoyed and thoroughly irritated prince, sitting on his plush velvet seat.
"What made you think that you think this is a good idea?"
"See Diluc, I have confidence in my abiliti-"
"I don't. Neither do I see the benefits in this exchange. He's dangerous Kaeya, as much as I think he'd know a lot of things we need I don't want to see you with that guy."
Kaeya hasn't even talked to him, let alone seen him yet. The vague descriptions that Master Diluc and the bounty hunters provided about him were never enough to truly make a picture in his mind of the guy. To him, his redhead brother was talking nonsense, acting like a father that didn't want to see his daughter with a boy.
"Oh please, big bro. We haven't gotten any information about him for 4 months already, when I find-"
"If."
"...IF I find the guy, just let me try. I promise, no matter what happens, I will defend myself. And if something did happen, you'd send a whole legion to look for me."
After a moment of hesitation, Diluc sighed. He waved his hand, the other resting on his forehead, thumb rubbing on his temple from side to side.
"You're lucky I don't want to argue with you anymore. Just don't get killed."
So on Kaeya went, going down to the slums and areas that 'Childe' was spotted. He went through the winding roads filled with caravans selling wares, the vendors waving over at him. Even if he wasn't apart of the royal family, they still waved him over when he passed through. It was a sweet experience every time, almost making him a bit flustered with how comfortable he's gotten with a few. Some treated him like they've known him as long as his brother.
"Ah, afternoon Rosie! How's the children?"
She rubbed her dagger against the metal rod, silently loathing the sight of the bluenette in front of her.
"I'm not that gentle with my knifes, Kay. I wouldn't sell my children either."
"Yes, yes, anyway. I need to borrow one of them, that alright? My swords beyond sharpening... if you don't mind of course."
She did.
"But you can use an even shitter one, if you so desire. On the house."
"I might as well just buy an entirely new one then?"
Rosaria smirked before her face straightened again, leaning herself over the counter of her stall. "How much are you offering?"
Kaeya smiled sheepishly as he touched his back pocket of mora.
"May I ask, is a buddy discount available?"
Rosaria scoffed, showing him a worn out and battered blade before sticking it's tip into the table in front of her. It's detailing has long since faded from the rust building up.
"Your enemy will probably get tetanus, if that's any better."
"Sureee.”
Kaeya waved at her before he continued on, walking down the roads overlooking the great lake of Mondstadt. People flocked across the azure water shining in Cider Lake, watching the waves sway up and down the shore, lapping at the sand. It was much warmer outside of the palace, he's long since noticed. He continued to watch the crowds walk along the cobblestone paths, adjusting his coat and crossing his arms.
The trip to his trusty ship was short, the pier bustling just as much as when he first docked. A bard sung tunes of the waves, of how the birds first flew above a stormy sea, about how the ship flags led them back to the city. Apples were scattered around him, apparently that's all he took for his little performances. Kaeya found himself tossing one to the guy. As quickly as the bottom of the fruit hit the wooden planks of the harbor, uproar arose near one of the little stalls lining the outside of the walls.
A flash of ginger hair, red coat, long daggers of hydro manipulation slung at his side.
Everything matched Childe's description to the T.
His feet moved before he could register the Ragnvinder knights trailing after the figure. He collided with one of them as he stumbled while turning a corner, quickly taking the knight by the arm before dragging him along with him as he gave chase.
"Si-r Kaeya?! What do you think you're doing?"
"Yes, sorry for the trouble! I- uh!"
Their target tossed a barrel of wine a merchant was carrying over in their direction, narrowly missing a few other civilians. His aim seemed to be impeccable, as it didn't graze a single other person except-
"Gah! Don't worry about me! Keep following!" He yelped to the knight, his breath knocked out of his chest. He mis-stepped and let the barrel make him lose balance, breaking into pieces as the wine spilled over him and the ground. Taking out a bag of mora from his back pocket, he gave it wearily to the merchant, who was still in shock from witnessing the event unfold in front of him.
"Sorry for the trouble, sir. I can assure you Master Diluc himself with compensate for it."
He continued on, catching up to the knight. They fled through several alleyways, buildings, corridors, houses. The civilians were in upheaval with how much this guy would just barge in to lose Kaeya and the knight.
Eventually, the knight got left behind in the crowds, leaning on a nearby wall before he left the bluenettes sight entirely.
Childe was also losing his vigor as the chase went on, but Kaeya was convinced that if he kept going a little longer…
He managed to get closer to the fugitive, watching his figure closely as he got ready to strike, but…
Something about the way the ginger were stumbling over his feet as he ran and how his body tensed up seemed almost like he was in some sort of…pain?
Kaeya took this opportunity to his advantage, jumping once before settling his boot on the back of Childe’s knee. He fell over, groaning as his knees hit the pavement below him.
Promptly picking him up and putting him down in a corner away from the bustling city, the bluenette took his knife and pressed it against Childe’s neck.
"So you are the fabled 'Childe?' I was expecting you to be a little more intimidating, maybe not letting yourself cause a ruckus in broad daylight?"
Now, Kaeya could take a closer look at the mask the mercenary sported on his face, glossy under the sunlight as the bluenette pressed his free hand on his chest. It was sharp, his eyes just barely peaking through the thin slits in the mask. Sapphire blue eyes... definitely the target.
He continued after not hearing an answer from the dazed ginger.
"Hmph… unless you were planning to get caught? Have you finally had enough of it? Do you want to get hanged for all of the city to see?"
Blood began to trickle down Childe's forehead. Kaeya stood there staring as it dripped down to his brows, down the side of his face and staining the red scarf he had around his neck.
"Ah. Was that there before? Or did I cause it?”
“You talk a lot.”
Childe finally spoke, voice strained from the running as he took deep breaths.
”hm… hehe, maybe it’s because you didn’t respond at all. Childe.”
Kaeya put his face closer, trying to see his expression. He saw parts of his forehead, brows clenched together as he tried to push himself closer to the wall.
“I’ll give you mercy, however. You’re hurt. Wouldn’t want that to cause any bad blood between us.”
Pulling the knife in front of the gingers throat, he pulled bandages out of his back pocket. The pirate stared him down before swiftly taking the knife and cutting a long piece of it off, settling it back to Childe’s throat.
”If I did anything you’d… ugh… kill me. Isn’t in my interest anyway…”
An unamused expression led its way to Kaeya’s face, raising his brows and squinting his eyes as he sighed.
“Y’know I can’t trust those words. Now, if you don’t mind…”
Kaeya lowered the hood of Childe’s cape, wrapping the bandage tight around his scalp.
”Hold.”
The ginger complied, somehow Kaeya could feel the tension radiating off his hand. He took the bandage and cut another piece with his knife once more, putting it back towards his throat slower this time.
Wrapping another piece, he tied the fabric into a little bow before harshly pressing on it.
“Kch.”
“It’ll stop bleeding in a bit. Now that you probably won’t pass out while we talk, I’ll take you to my ship.”
Childe looked up at the pirate as he stood up, chuckling to himself.
”Ship? Why should I when I could just run away?”
”Doesn’t seem like you’re really eager to leave. The sightings of you in taverns have been frequent, you’ve been so much fun that people refused to turn you in.”
Kaeya stood behind Childe, holding his arms together with a firm grip. The ginger stilled after hearing those words.
“Hold on. You’ve heard about my appearances?” Childe muttered, moving around the bandages on his forehead.
“I’m not obligated to deal with you on my off time,” Kaeya began to weave the bandages around Childe’s arms, “I leave that to the knights while I’m out.”
”You… aren’t apart of the knights either?”
Tearing the roll away from the piece he tied, he scoffed and shoved the ginger forward.
”I’ll answer your questions when I get the information I need from you. Now move.”
As they walked out of the secluded area, the streets were far more silent. Barriers were held up where their little chase was taking place, and several knights were issuing warnings to civilians trying to pass through the roads.
The wine stains on his coat were sticking to his chest, he barely noticed it until he started to walk. He’d have to get a change of clothes in his boat before doing anything else.
A knight approached the pair with a great urgency, bowing to the bluenette.
”I’m sorry sir! I didn-didn’t mean to lose my pacing! I-I can take the fugitive for investigation if-“
”Woah, slow down! I caught him already, it’s fine. You did a great job keeping up with him.”
“Ah! Thank you sir, a great honor to be praised by you…”
“Also… don’t tell Master Diluc about Childe’s capture. But tell my crew at the palace that he’s at my ship, ok?”
“What? You really don’t want to turn him in yet?”
”It’s for personal reasons. If you’d excuse us.”
Kaeya began to rush Childe towards the pier and down to his ship, pushing the ginger down the wooden planks and into the docks. His ship was quite janky, a little bit smaller than the fugitive was expecting.
The flag of a 4-point star swayed in the wind, the sails rolled up and tucked away. Childe was dragged up the rope ladders at the side of the ship, a faster way to get on then lowering the board.
“In here.”
Kaeya held his arm tight as he opened a metal door leading to the captains office, leading him in and shutting the door swiftly. The locks were turned and the candles lit, and they were alone.
“Quite a nice place you got here.”
“Yeah, yeah. Now wait here, that little wine jug trick you did ruined my clothes.”
Sighing to himself, the bluenette opened the closet he kept close to a bookshelf near a window in the office, reaching in and grabbing a spare shirt he had.
Kaeya began to unbutton his overcoat silently, taking the fur off with a slight grimace as he looked at the state of it.
He took off his other coat under his overcoat, just as grimy and a damp as the other one. The thin shirt he wore under everything else was straight up ruined, as if the other items of clothing wasn’t as well.
“So do you want me to turn around?”
”It’d be better if you paid for everything I’m taking off….”
Kaeya pulled the shirt off, grabbing at a little handtowel in one of the cabinets. He wiped himself as best he could and groaned.
“Gods, I think I might as well just take a swim at this point.”
Childe chuckled as the pirate turned around, giving the little hostage a look. The fugitive felt his own face straighten, itching the back of his head.
“I can… stay here. And you can swim.”
The bluenette put both his hands on his hips, standing up straighter with his brows furrowed. Then he realizes something.
“You have those water swords don’t you? Can’t you just rub- like… use your hydro magic to… wash the wine off…?”
“That isn’t out of the question. But that just seems really weird for me to do that.”
”Ok, then just put some of the water on…” Kaeya held his little hand towel up, “this.”
Childe raised his hand up, letting water surround his arm before he aimed his finger at the towel. He let the water pressure release from his arm and spray itself on the towel in a line.
“Alright then.”
Unsure of himself, he took a closer look at the water on the towel. Kaeya swiped a little of it on his arm before wiping the rest of his body. The ginger turned over to look at a clock on the wall, urging himself to focus on the ticking instead of the man in front of him rubbing a towel over his body.
He’d thought this before, but man is this guy hot.
Even then, Childe was still unsure on how to feel about the pirate holding him “hostage.” They talked, they agreed on something, he was there in the pirates own office on his own ship. From their back and forth, and from the vibe this guy gave off, it didn’t seem like he had any ill intentions.
Of course, there was that bit of doubt and suspicion between them, well deserved from his reputation, but it didn’t stop it from feeling different then all the other times he’d been taken somewhere for questioning.
Kaeya soon after found a clean shirt, the same cut and length as his undershirts, wringing the towel out the window before settling it back down on his desk.
“You can turn around now. Better yet, take a seat.” He spoke, settling himself into his own chair as he watched Childe settle into a seat in front of him.
“I haven’t introduced myself properly yet. I’m Kaeya, the captain of this ship.” He spoke back, extending a hand out to shake Childes.
Childe stared down at his hand, then back at Kaeya, then back at his hand before shaking it firmly, Kaeya softly whistling from his tight grip, feeling one of his knuckles crack from the force.
He quickly drew his hand back, hiding his slight pain as he put it on his lap under the desk.
“As you know, you’re a well known fugitive in both Liyue and now Mondstadt. Not only that, but you work for the Fatui.. I’m inclined to ask you if that last part is true before I continue.” He spoke back, looking directly into Childes blue eyes under he holes in his mask, straight faced.
Childe nodded.
“That isn’t a secret.”
“Well, the people have been treating it as more of a rumor than an outright fact. I just needed to hear it from the man himself.”
“You talk like I’m a local legend.”
“Well, you might as well be. The taverns like you more then the castle. That’s local enough?”
“…heh.”
Kaeya folded his hands and settling his chin atop them, tilting his head.
“But that is unimportant. Now… regarding your partnership with the Fatui, just how far would you say this partnership goes?”
Childe pursed his lips, his eyes unclear as he stared right back to the other.
“They pay me. I get jobs done. I get to fight.”
Childe spoke plainly, matter of factly.
“Hm? That seems like anything a simple mercenary job would call for.”
“The Fatui has better pay. That means the jobs they give bigger risks. I like dealing with those risks.”
Kaeya paused. He really was battle hungry wasn’t he?
“But don’t these jobs make you risk both your life and your status? I’ve seen what the people of Liyue think of you…”
“And I can just say it was a job. I know they wouldn’t in their lives agree, but it really just was a job at its core.”
Kaeya nodded. Just a job at its core?
This guy… was pretty interesting.
(Reminder that this one and the next one is unfinished)
Storyline 2 (the one I scrapped for storyline 1):
“I think I’d get along well with him…” Kaeya trailed off, looking up at his brother who simply wanted to sip his tea in peace.
Instead of having a peaceful morning, Diluc was in the middle of a heated discussion on why contact with Childe Tartaglia Ajax, (with over 100 confirmed kills under his belt, mind you) was a horrible idea and could get Kaeya killed.
His blue haired sibling was going on about the possible benefits he could get out of coming into contact with him, acting as if this man was a tailor than a mercenary.
In response, Diluc rose his strained hand up, causing Kaeya to fall silent and look up at the redhead. “Is something the matter, Luc?”
Everything is the matter.
“Kaeya… how are you sure that this man is trustworthy in any capacity?”
“I was just in the middle of explaining it, wasn’t I? He can wield any weapon he can think of!”
“Not with his offensive talents, Kaeya, just in general. He’s completely loyal to the Tsaritsa? one of our sworn enemies?”
To that, Kaeya nodded. That is true, he thought to himself.
But even then…
“It’s not like I’m trying to convince him to completely turn away from them, I know full well that he is under the Fatui group. But how about outside enemies? Like the-”
“Like the Abyss Order… How can you be sure the Fatui don’t side with them as well?”
“That’s what I intend to find out. His stance with them, the Fatui’s stance with them. I’ll try and warm up to him so I can get any sort of lead. I’ve heard from your intel network that your honorary knight managed to get buddy-buddy with him, correct?”
Diluc stared at his brother for 10 long seconds before humming in agreement, shutting his eyes tight and taking a sip of his tea. He could swear an indent was on his forehead was forming from how hard he furrowed his brows.
“I talked to them, they said they’ll let me see him tomorrow. At 8 PM. Just… trust me on this one, alright?” Kaeya pleaded that Diluc would agree with him just once. He didn’t show it, but the redhead definitely felt it as the other stared directly into his closed eyes.
Even if Kaeya was also interested in getting inside information about the Fatui, he mainly wanted to talk with Childe face to face. Diluc couldn’t fathom why, especially the fact that his own honorary knight supported this.
Sitting there in his seat, Diluc hesitated. He tapped his foot against the floor of the dining room, his boot sole clicking with each jump of his leg. More than anything he wanted to just not make this decision at all, but that would just result in more bickering.
With a deep sigh, Diluc just barely gave a nod in the blue haired man’s direction.
Kaeya grinned, patting Diluc on his shoulder with a smile. He then turned around the sprinted out of the room, shaking his hand behind him.
“Great! I’ll tell you what I find, Luc!”
“Mhm, and stop calling me Luc.”
Date
7:56 his watch read. Kaeya shrugged on his coat, adjusting it’s fur and tying on his eyepatch. His apartment was generally close to the tavern that honorary knight said Childe wanted to meet at, discrete and out of the way.
It was a pretty hard to find place, nestled between alleyways, and the entrance was small and practically unnoticeable without a trained eye. Needless to say, Kaeya was surprised that mercenary knew about it at all.
Out the door he went, sheathing his sword as he walked out the door.
The buildings in Mondstadt towered over him, distant muffled voices and clamoring from the town square. But the alleys only grew more silent as he traced his fingers against the wooden walls, lost in thought. He tapped his fingertips gingerly against it, chewing this inside of his bottom lip as he approached the entrance of the tavern.
A familiar smell of mildew and alcohol drifted across this part of the alley, a sign with 2 angels and a wine glass hanging from a pillar above the wooden double doors. It was another branch of Angels Share in the same city, (as they can never have to much of the same alcohol) this one run by another owner than Diluc.
Chatter drifted off the walls, he could hear it outside of the tavern as he got closer to it. Then, he noticed him. A hooded figure stood outside, playing with a hydro dagger, leaning against the wall. Kaeya stopped in his tracks, watching as the stranger twirled it in his hands, pushing it with his thumb and spinning it around on his knuckle.
Kaeya wasn’t as un-noticeable as he thought he was, however, watching the unfamiliar figure turn to face him. He grabbed the handle from where it stood on his hand, hiding it under his cloak. A tuft of ginger hair was hidden underneath the red cloak he had on, sapphire blue eyes watching him with a blank look on his face.
Strangely, it made Kaeya stop in his tracks, pushing his lips into a straight line. He almost like a walking corpse from here.
A distant bird cawing in the distance filled the awkward silence that fell upon the two, standing parallel to each other. The ginger stared at him and Kaeya stared back. Even if this distance made seeing the others facial features hard, those blue eyes were the most noticeable.
Folding his arms, the hooded figure broke the silence.
“You wanted to see me?” He said, looking over at the other with an expectant look on his face.
“Ah. Then… you must be… Childe.”
Kaeya just barely said his name out loud, saying it under his breath.
“Yes, and you, Kaeya. A pleasure.” Childe responded, inching his way closer to the bluenette.
Kaeya was getting even more nervous as the other approached him, knowing full well that under his cloak hid dagger. Was the ginger doing it on purpose? Letting him know how risky it was to talk to him? Everything about him pointed to that being a glaring possibility.
The ginger was now in front of him, staring at the other.
“See, I thought you wanted to talk to me in the tavern. Why’re we out here?” Childe questioned, a small teasing smile on his face.
Kaeya nodded, shallow breaths as he felt himself get more nervous by the second.
“Yes, I- ahem. We best get inside before someone sees you.” Kaeya answered, walking towards the entrance and looking behind to see the other follow. Ah, then again that’s an ever worse choice, he could kill him behind his back.
He looked behind him again as they both stepped foot into the building. But even now, the ginger just seemed slightly giddy to get a free round of drinks.
The bartender waved over at the bluenette above the people lining the bar table. “Kaeya! Back again, are we?” He voiced over the chatter in front of him.
Kaeya turned over to him, waving over at the other. “Ah, yes, yes! I’m here for a meeting,” he gestured slightly at Childe, taking control of his nerves as he did so, “just get me a Death Afternoon and send it to the usual table.”
The bartender stared wide eyes at the man he was meeting with, before nodding. “Of course, I’ll get right to it!”
Childe silently watched on as Kaeya started making his way up the spiral staircase leading up to the top floor of the tavern, once more turning over to look at him.
He usually has meetings here…
He noted this down in his mind before following the other up.
“Here is quieter, much more discrete. Practically nobody sits here in most days. The staff won’t say anything about you, but the customers…” Kaeya whispered over to him.
The ginger nodded along, interrupting the other as he trailed off, “I’ve dealt with this kind of thing before, alright? I got it down pretty boy.” Childe muttered, watching over the railing at the others talking.
“You… you got it down. Alright then, uh…”
Do Snezhnayans think nicknames like pretty boy are insults?
He heard footsteps up the stairs, a server holding a tray of his favorite drink. Instead, there were 2 on the tray than just one he ordered.
“Here you are, your Death Afternoon’s. Enjoy.” They quickly exited the top floor in a scurry, terrified by the presence of the ginger.
Childe took one, looking down at the mixed drink with a curious glance.
(If anyone other then me looks at this hiiii!)