Kaebedo || Where The Cold Doesn't Touch

To Catch A Liar - 47

Kaeya rubs his eyes, he groans and sits up as best he could. He shifts to find Klee at his side, sleeping soundly and at ease. He ruffles her blonde hair and she squirms but looks peaceful, he doesn't have the will to disturb her.

So he gets up from the bed, his back is killing him. Is he getting old? He can't really tell. Time is blurring together too well and he doesn't have the energy to try and pick it apart.

Before he left the Abyss, Albedo and Durin had made a promise. They all promised to not utter a word to anyone. Albedo would stay in Dragonspine and Kaeya would visit once a day but would be sure to not be followed. It was risky but it was the only way they could discuss what exactly was going to happen. It also helped that they could keep each other company until then. Until... everything eventually ends.

Though Kaeya readily agreed to it, it isn't easy for him. He realizes now that he's always been a bit impulsive, letting his feelings get in the way. Every step he's made in his life has been carefully calculated but at the same time he's always wanted to break free from the box he's created for himself. And this was finally his moment to do so, to run and be free from everything that's been holding him down. But he was hesitating. Why?

He looks back to Klee who had rolled over onto her side. She was a reminder of all the good things that have happened over these past few months, or maybe a year and a half to be technical. He can look fondly on those memories, keep them tightly knit to his chest and move on. Because Kaeya Alberich was never allowed to have nice things and living a peaceful life was never the life he was allowed to have. So he smiles, sad but real. Then he leaves because if he stayed a moment more then his emotions would damn him.

He smiles and waves to the town folk, informing one of them to let Sara know that Klee was in his apartment. He gave a light chuckle expressing that he would get home late and didn't want Master Jean to be cross with him. They readily agreed, giving their good lucks and regards as if he were on another mission. But this time it was not the case.

Then he was off, headed in the direction of Dragonspine. He made his way through Windrise, lingering at the tree that sits in the middle. He breathes in the Mondstadt wind, as if it was his last breath. And he moves again, as if he didn't pray to the statue of the seven, as if he didn't have his moments of clarity, as if his problems were far, far away.

The wind is relatively calm as he quickly makes his way up to the mountain. Dragonspine, a place he was indifferent to before but now it holds a certain place in his heart.

It's cold and bitter but it has given him the greatest gift of all. Love and a lovely Alchemist to share it with.

His thoughts are interrupted as he sees a figure ahead. Dressed in all red, a particular outfit that he hasn't seen on him in a long time.

"Kaeya."

Kaeya stops and stares, doesn't dare to take another step forward.

"Diluc."

"Didn't Jean inform you that your mission would be in the Thousand Winds Temple? What are you doing down south?" Diluc adjusts his sleeve, waiting for a response.

Kaeya hesitates, maybe a little too long because Diluc walks up to him, looking at him with a stern expression.

"I'm going to Dadaupa Gorge, it was a mission that I hadn't finished when I left."

Diluc isn't convinced, he was always suspicious of Kaeya's whereabouts before but there was no way to fool him now. "Likely story but it's been over a year now since those missions, they were either taken care of or forgotten. But you know that, so why would you come up with such an obvious lie?"