Extending the Olive Branch - Kaeya x Reader

I Don't Swim

"Prince~," you cooed sweetly, approaching the small black cat cautiously, "C'mon dude, let's get you back home."

He looked at you, his pupils nice and round, standing up and taking a few steps in your direction. Then, his head shifted slightly as his gaze locked on Kaeya. His pupils immediately became thin as he arched his back and hissed ferociously. You took a startled step back, giving Prince the opportunity to take off running out the gates of Mondstadt.

"Fuck!" you cursed, "Come on!"

"Maybe I should just go back to headquarters," Kaeya sighed, "I told you, that cat hates me." You glared daggers at him.

"Jean said we have to do this together," you snapped, "Stop trying to get out of work. Now help me chase this cat." Kaeya groaned in annoyance as you took off after the black cat.

It was finally starting to turn from winter to spring in Mondstadt, meaning the weather today was warm and sunny. You found yourself unable to keep a smile off your face as you ran across the bridge, sending pigeons flying in fear.

"Sorry, Timmie!" you yelled back as you followed the cat onto the dirt paths outside the city.

"Slow down!" Kaeya yelled after you.

"Why? You can't keep up?" you shot back, still maintaining your fast pace.

Prince continued to run into the fields of Windrise. The wind seemed to carry you forward, dancing through your clothes and hair. You crept up on Prince and tried to grab him, but he slipped out of your hands, darting away again.

"Come here, you little-" you giggled and chased him again, running through the grass.

Kaeya stopped and watched you chase Prince around while giggling uncontrollably. His eye followed your erratic patterns through the fields. Butterflies and Anemo crystalflies flew around you as you disturbed them by running past, encircling you like a tornado. Kaeya felt himself smile. Not smirk. Smile. He felt his heart racing as you darted around the cat like an idiot, smiling from ear to ear. The breeze danced by again, so you paused and tilted your chin up towards the warm sun. Kaeya watched you close your eyes and breathe deeply, feeling the blessings of the Anemo Archon wash over you. Seeing you smile so contently bathed him in a feeling of soft warmth. His body tingled from the top of his skull to the tips of his fingers and toes. He tried to force his smile away. But he couldn't.

"He's a quick little fucker," you commented, jogging up to Kaeya. You leaned over, putting your hands on your knees, trying to catch your breath. When you looked up at Kaeya, he had a dreamy look on his face, smiling down at you with a look in his eye you didn't recognize. You twisted your face into an expression of confusion.

"What?" you asked. Kaeya shook his head, then returned to his usual cocky demeanor.

"Nothing," he commented, starting to laugh, "You just look like a total idiot chasing that cat around." You stood up straight and glared at him, putting your hands on your hips.

"Maybe I would have caught him already if your lazy ass helped me," you snapped. Kaeya shrugged.

"Like I said, that cat hates me. You're probably better off doing this on your own anyway," he replied casually. You huffed and turned around to see Prince sitting on a rock licking his paws.

"Or..." you started, getting a sinister look in your eye, "We could use his hate for you to our advantage." Kaeya raised an eyebrow.

"Oh? How so?" he inquired.

"I thought it would be obvious," you sighed, "I'll sneak up behind him, then you approach him from the front and he'll run right into my grasp." You chuckled confidently.