paradoxical | genshin impact

31 : liar.

"...I'm in love with you."

The moment the words fell from your lips, a clap of thunder rumbled in the distance. Your heart was beating hard and fast; you could barely breathe. You didn't really know what to expect once you finally came clean about your feelings, but you at least anticipated Kaeya to be shocked.

Now though, he was just staring at you with an unreadable look.

Did you mess up? Was he going to end things with you right here, right now?

No... You didn't want that. It would be the last thing you—

Suddenly, the Captain used your iron-tight grip on his wrist as leverage to pull you closer, enclosing you in an embrace that you hadn't expected at all. Your eyes widened, mouth quivering with words you didn't know how to string together. Why was he...?

"I'm glad," he whispered, pressing a gloved hand against the back of your head before squeezing you tighter. It's as if he's keeping you in place, not wanting you to see the look on his face at that moment. You could feel the raindrops pelt your skin as Kaeya held you out in the open with seemingly no plans of letting you go.

"I'm glad..."

...What on earth did that mean?

Three days later, the rain hadn't stopped pouring. The storm watchers informed the rest of the citizens that this typhoon might not let up for at least a couple more days. But despite the onslaught, it was still business as usual at Angel's Share. Even if you haven't spoken to Kaeya since that fateful encounter on the bridge, and your thoughts were all over the place, you still had the courtesy to show up for work.

You knew Mags and Charles could tell something was wrong. They'd always toss concerned glances your way every now and again, but thankfully decided not to pry. It's a good thing Diluc hasn't dropped by lately either. Your boss wasn't exactly as discreet as his employees could be.

"Aww, why the long face?"

You're a bit startled to hear that familiar voice over the counter. From his seat, Venti flashed you a cheery smile, strumming his lyre lazily before placing it on top of the polished wood. You sighed. It wouldn't be long until the patrons caught on to your blue period, too.

"The weather's just dampening my mood, I guess," you told him before sliding a mug of ale across the counter.

"Hmm, I don't really believe you, but sure~"

Venti opted to leave it be as he enjoyed his drink, and you took the momentary reprieve to think over what happened three days ago.

Right after Kaeya embraced you without giving you a real response, the two of you had to run underneath the canopy of Katheryne's booth to claim your commission rewards. Being soaked in the rain would've normally incited a few laughs, but the air between you had been unbearably stiff. You couldn't wrap your mind about what Kaeya had meant when he said he was glad then, and you still couldn't paint a clear meaning for it now.

Was he glad you loved him? Did that mean he felt the same way? You didn't know. You couldn't even confirm it with the man himself, because once Katheryne handed over the goods, Kaeya was quick to excuse himself from the scene—saying Varka saddled him with another job before leaving without a proper goodbye.

It certainly didn't help that, once you got home, the first thing you saw was the framed Kamera photo that Kaeya took his sweet time to decorate a few days prior. It sat idly on your nightstand, right next to that nostalgic jar full of crystal cores. You wondered if you've been reading him wrong all this time, despite everything you've been through.