𝐋𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐥𝐲

9

(YN) wore a thick coat and gloves on his hands. Extra measure that he won't get cold. At first, he planned to paint the tree while they're there, but carrying all of the materials is a bit too much. Especially now that it's night. And (YN) doubts Kaeya has enough energy to carry all of his stuff on his own. Really, (YN) is taking advantage that he has his own escort while being here in Mondstadt. He should treat Kaeya to dinner or to a drink to thank him.

Staring at the stars above, (YN) wondered if there are also stars over there in Natlan. His parents had loved the stars. Well, love is an understatement. It's more of an obsession. His parents would take any opportunity to stargaze and... well, just stargaze. No words exchanging from one another and their eyes counting how many stars are there in the sky. It's something that (YN) can't understand when it comes to his parents. Why stare at stars? There's nothing significant about stars. And why are they so obsessed over it? It's like the stars are their archon rather than Lady Murata. One time, (YN) got so curious that he asked. Why the stars? There are more things that you can obsess over --- why not painting? The two of them are already established painters, yet, they spend most of their time stargazing.

"Sir (YN)!" Glancing to whoever called at him, (YN) saw Kaeya on a horse. Weird, was what (YN) thought. There weren't many horses in Mondstadt because of Grandmaster Varka taking all of them to his expedition. So why does Kaeya have one?

"Grandmaster Varka had left one horse for me to take care of. Lily was sick when Grandmaster Varka had decided to go on an expedition. So this one was left behind under my care." (YN) approached the horse. Obviously, it was much bigger and taller than him. The mane shone even under the moonlight and when (YN) decided to touch it, Lily had let him touch her nose.

(YN) chuckled, "Aren't you a sweet one?" (YN) continued to pet Lily. Still surprised to see a horse. With easier ways of transportation, horses were now hardly nowadays. People see that it was more convenient to use those inventions where an anemo slime was used to make things float. And only a tiny windmill was used to direct the direction. (YN) was also used to that sight whenever he goes out shopping for materials. A more tiny contraption than the larger one, of course. So horses were more used amongst families with noble blood. Horseback riding is one of their favorite past times.

"Shall we go, Sir (YN)? The night is only so short here in Mondstadt, after all." Kaeya held out a hand to (YN). The latter looked at the other's hand. Most of it was covered with the gloves Kaeya wore, only the fingers (except for the thumb) were left uncovered. (YN) wondered if Kaeya had any scars. With a scary job, it would be inevitable to not have one. Even the most carefree adventurers have either one or two from their travels. Taking Kaeya's hand, (YN) can feel the thick callouses that the man has. It was definitely thicker than he originally thought they would be. (YN) doesn't have that many calluses in his hands either. Even if he does use a bow, it's nowhere as thick as Kaeya's. And it's only on the tip of his fingers.

When their hands are holding each other, Kaeya hoisted (YN) up behind him. "Hold on tight. I'm not the Cavalry Captain for nothing, after all." (YN) could feel the heat rushing up to his cheeks and ears. Wrapping his arms around Kaeya's waist, it was smaller than (YN) thought. Well, Kaeya does indeed have a small waist. However, (YN) thought that it's not going to be this small.

Just what the hell am I thinking!? (YN) shook his head, trying to get rid of his thoughts from earlier.

»»————-　♡　————-««

Throughout the ride towards Windrise, Kaeya nor (YN) spoke a word. The silence between them was not awkward nor uncomfortable. Rather, it was the opposite. It was quite lax, the two noticed. And quieter than their previous encounters where Kaeya would talk non-stop and (YN)'s angry groans and grunts would be present. The two's interaction reminded everyone of Mondstadt of someone similar. Diluc Ragnivindr. Someone that Kaeya, himself, was so close to. Someone that no one would think Kaeya or the other would break ties off. Even if Diluc and Kaeya would exchange greetings from time to time, everyone can sense the closeness they once had was no longer there.

And seeing (YN) and Kaeya together, they can see what would the two old friends[1] in them. No longer laughing but willing to indulge in nostalgia. Well, Kaeya prefers to indulge it in more than Diluc.

"We're here..." Kaeya's voice was soft and his tone was placid. As if he was afraid of waking someone up even knowing (YN) was wide awake. Kaeya first got off before helping the other. Once (YN)'s feet touched the ground, he glanced at the tree in front of them. And his eyes can't help but widen and his mouth went agape. He has heard the legends of Lady Venessa and the tree in Windrise. The spot where she ascended to Celestia and transformed into the mighty falcon now that protects Mondstadt. The Falcon of the West

Fireflies glowing in the bushes and in random spots. Crystaflies are sparkling as they stay afloat. The wind was more prominent here. Whether it's because of the close relationship between the Anemo Archon and Lady Venessa or this is where Lady Venessa had ascended to Celestia, (YN) doesn't know. In fact, (YN) doesn't want to know. The prickling breeze caressing his cheeks and making their way into their clothes. Stinging them with the cold air.

The vast tree exceeded the size that (YN) expected it to be. The branches were almost large enough for one to sleep on. And the roots were growing out of the soil and destroying the cemented parts. And in front of the tree was where a statue of the seven of the Anemo Archon stood. Similar to the statues of the archon that (YN) had seen, the face was covered. Two braids on each shoulder and on his hands were a ball. Many speculated that it was anemo that the archon converted to a ball.

"Amazing, isn't it?" Kaeya commented. Grabbing (YN)'s hand into his hold, Guiding the other under the tree. Glancing up, the thick leaves were enough for one to be sheltered from the rain. And more crystaflies were staying still and some were resting on a branch.

"You said... couples choose this as a spot where they propose to their partner, correct?" For some reason, (YN) recalled the time that Kaeya had said this is where couples get engaged. Though it would be more romantic during sunset. Though at night doesn't seem to be so bad. With how the crystaflies and fireflies glow, this had a more fantasy-like feel to it.

Kaeya chuckled, "Does Sir (YN) want me to propose to him? Sadly, being in a relationship is not in my mind as of yet," he said. Even in the night, Kaeya can see how (YN) rolled his eyes. Hearing the male's silent exasperated sigh.

"I... Stars in the background would be amazing. Or a meteor shower. It would... have a more otherworldly feel to it... right?" Kaeya stared at the male beside him who's too busy looking up. Glancing at where (YN) is staring, Kaeya noted that the man was only looking at the leaves above.

"Stars, you say..." Kaeya isn't the type with a wild imagination. Although imagining a draft work of the painting with stars at the back is easy enough to do. Yet, Kaeya can only see black in his mind. It's as if his mind wasn't working. 

(YN) bopped his head, "That's right. My parents had met under a sky full of stars. Married at night and when they kissed on the alter, a meteor shower appeared. My parents think that they're blessed by the gods in Celestia. As much I don't want to admit it, I'm jealous. To get a blessing from the gods." Kaeya rose a brow, pondering if (YN) consider the Vision with him as a curse.

"What about the vision you hold of, Sir (YN)? Cannot you call it a blessing itself?"

"Visions? I heard from a friend of mine that Visions are the recognition from both gods and archons. Blessings are a different thing. To gift someone a Vision, when they noticed how hard after you worked or your passion to have or to do something. Blessings are when the gods gift you without any recognition."

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[1] - I am not sure if Crepus did really took Kaeya in as his own child. Since in the character stories, all it said was that Crepus took Kaeya in during a rain where he found Kaeya. No mentions of having intentions of making Kaeya his own child. Also, Kaeya has the name Alberich. Not Ragnvindr. Additionally, Alberich means elf, ruler, and mighty. More reasons to think that Kaeya has royal blood. And I know in the manga/manhua, it is stated that Diluc and Kaeya are adopted brothers which turns out to be a mistranslation of being sworn brothers. So I will go with that they are sworn brothers and not adopted brothers or step-siblings. Don't comment anything about this cause I don't want to spend my energy on this.