Finding The Real You - Kaebedo

Chapter XXIX - A Chance of Happiness?

Days passed, Kaeya spent every moment he could spending time sitting there.

Jean had already given him time off, understanding the situation, simultaneously stressing herself out even more.

Each day he'd sleep there, only leaving if absolutely necessary, and bring back a flower every time he left. The cycle repeated for days on end, though Kaeya wasn't counting.

It had only been one day, and then it might've been a hundred, he didn't know.

Even his dreams were filled with Albedo. Some happy, most sad. He cherished the ones where he lived a happy life with him, and pushed the ones of death and destruction to the back of his mind, never to be thought of again.

He could've counted the days, as he thought that he bought a flower at least once a day, but what if he'd bought one twice? Or what if he had skipped a day? He stayed seated at Albedo's side, refusing to use a chair.

Barbara regularly came in to check on them, Rosaria too. Barbara's visits were often, but short-lived, so Kaeya didn't think much of it. They were mostly health checks, and the only part he listened to was how Albedo was doing.

However, Rosaria's visits were longer, and more enjoyable. They spoke about almost everything, though most things were centred around Albedo.

Sometimes Kaeya even spoke about his fantasies with her. Fantasies where none of this ever happened, and Kaeya and Albedo were in love without any pain, and living happily.

He knew Rosaria probably hated it, and loathed having to visit him so often, but she didn't complain. She just sat there and listened, barely speaking.

The fact that she barely spoke made Kaeya feel much lonelier than he should've. He was being visited every day and he's still this messed up and sad? Pathetic.

Some days he'd ask Rosaria to speak about herself for once, but that never led the conversation anywhere. It was always the same, she'd say everything was fine with her and that they should be worrying about him. She was too kind, doing all that.

Even if Kaeya probed her for her personal life, she said she had nothing going on. Not even a lover to speak about, Kaeya wondered how lonely she actually was.

The only times she'd mention something else, is when a festival of a certain nation came up, or if there was an especially funny scene at the cathedral.

He remembered her talking about the Lantern Rite, she didn't seem too interested in it though. Why would she be? She's confined to Mondstadt unless on leave, and she had none left.

Each day it became more and more painful to see her leave, but Kaeya accepted that she had actual work to do.

When she left, he'd go back to his normal thoughts. Still hoping for another visit, perhaps from Diluc?

Diluc had visited once or twice, but got too annoyed with Kaeya to stay. Kaeya knew it was just part of his character, but it still hurt to see Diluc go and complain about him.

Diluc brought back all of his cherished memories, it would be weird to want him to leave anyway, no? Every time he entered and every time he left, memories of his childhood flooded his mind, along with a couple of memories from the tavern, although not as special.

But along with the childhood memories, came those memories. The ones where they fought, and the ones where Diluc's father.. He didn't enjoy dwelling on those memories, but he couldn't help it, regretting every decision he made in the process.

When no one was there, Kaeya would touch Albedo, feel his face and hope that he would wake up.

Sometimes, he wondered if fairytales were real, and if just a kiss would wake him up, but what if it did? How would Kaeya explain himself? Would Albedo hate him for it? Albedo would hate him for that.