Extending the Olive Branch - Kaeya x Reader

A Nice Conversation

You wrapped your blanket tighter around your shoulders and scooted a little closer to the small fire. Despite the day being exhausting, you couldn't sleep. You couldn't stop thinking about the letter you had received from your mother. That, and Amber and Albedo's snoring rattled your brain it was so loud.

You stared at the blank notebook in front of you. What should you say? You always dreamed about telling her everything about your life in Mondstadt, but now that the opportunity presented itself, you had no idea what to say. You hadn't become a Captain of the Knights. You hadn't gotten a vision. You didn't even have a boyfriend to tell her about. After everything your mother had sacrificed to give you a new life in Mondstadt, what did you have to show for it? You sighed and put your head between your knees, begging yourself not to cry. Albedo and Amber's snoring buzzed from the tent while you squeezed your eyes shut tight.

"Can't sleep either?" Your head shot up and turned to look at Kaeya, who had just exited the tent. He plopped down next to the fire as you recovered, like putting on a mask to hide your emotions.

"Yeah, Amber and Albedo's snoring is making it kinda hard," you grumbled in feigned annoyance. Kaeya chuckled, then noticed the notebook on your lap.

"What are you writing?" he asked casually. You hugged the notebook to your chest and looked away, blushing slightly.

"None of your business," you snapped, causing Kaeya to laugh out loud.

"Geez, I was just asking," he stated, looking up at the night sky, "Do you always have to jump down my throat?" You looked at him, feeling a pang of guilt for immediately being on the defensive. You sighed in resignation.

"It's a letter," you replied frankly, "Aether made it to Khaenri'ah and he met my mom. She sent me a letter and I'm trying to write her back, but..." You paused, biting your lip nervously and staring at the blank page.

"I don't know what to say," you finished, whispering. Kaeya hummed in response, letting silence fall on the two of you. You looked at him, wondering what was going through his head as he looked at the clouds in the sky. His brows furrowed for a second, then you saw a smile curl up on his lips. He started to snicker, which grew into a full laugh. You stared in disbelief, furrowing your eyebrows in both confusion and annoyance.

"What's so funny?" you snapped as he quieted himself down to prevent waking your companions in the tent.

"Sorry, it's just-" he paused to stifle more laughter, "How can you even say that?" You shot him an inquisitive scowl, so he continued, counting things off on his fingers.

"You're a Knight of Favonius, for one. Not just that, but you're a Major, which is no small feat. You're friends with just about everybody in town. Even though you don't have a vision, you're able to keep up with those of us who do. You work harder than every person in the entire city of Mondstadt combined. Not to mention, you have the best Captain-slash-enemy in all of Teyvat. And you don't have anything to say? I'm surprised you don't have the opposite problem." You gazed at him in stunned silence. Had he just... complimented you? Like six times? You tried to come up with something to say, but your mind raced so fast you couldn't pick a thought.

"Or you could always talk about your boring little boyfriend," he remarked smugly. Your surprise immediately turned back to annoyed embarrassment. You crossed your arms and looked away again.

"He's not my boyfriend," you corrected, "And he's not boring!"

"Then why don't you feel like he's important enough to write about?" Kaeya shot back confidently, lying back in the snow. You paused. Well...

"Stop!" you scolded, shaking the thought out of your head, "I really like Timaeus! Leave him alone."

"Please. You don't actually like that guy," he scoffed.