𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐀𝐧𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 (𝐊𝐚𝐞𝐲𝐚𝐱𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫)

Chapter 10: When We Drank Plenty

Trigger Warning!: use of alcohol, and slight swearing.

Letting out a deep sigh, you spun around, a flashy, kind smile on your face.

"Sure Captain, let's work well together." And with that, you strode past Kaeya, but paused at the exit of the cathedral. Turning your head, your smile widened further cheekily. "You coming?" Hearing Kaeya slowly make his way, you continued walking onwards.

You knew that this was not an ideal situation, working alongside someone who had broken the little trust that was formed between the two of you. Nevertheless, it had been a long time since the incident, and there were only three paths to take from here. You had quickly analysed each path when you learnt that you were joining the Cavalry. The first was to become cold and to let the silence speak for itself, yet you felt that this made you no better than him...no pun intended. The second was to approach him once again, and if it went well, to re-establish the professional relationship and move onwards. But why should I have to take the step, plus why should I trust him again after he disrespected me, you thought.

Finally, your mind settled on the third option - remain wary, to let him think that everything is absolutely fine, to be kind, and under no circumstance, should you become attached.

Entering the tavern, you seated yourself in the very corner where you had been yelled at and humiliated. Unsurprisingly, Kaeya had caught up and sat opposite you, his gaze revealing nothing. For a moment, the atmosphere was tense as the two of you stared at each other nonchalantly in silence. Tiring eventually, you gestured to the bar. "What would you like Captain?"

Kaeya's lips widened into a smirk, and his eye glittered. "Allow me to order the drinks, it's on me today Y/N. You tell me, what would you like?" his smooth voice flamboyantly spoke. It somewhat ached that he did not sound apologetic at all, but quite the opposite. Actually, you felt slightly angered at this, and leaned forward in your wooden chair, maintaining eye-contact.

"Whisky, neat. I hope that's okay with you Captain." you crisply spoke, an undertone that dripped with a mixture of contempt and indifference.

"Of course Y/N, how could I say no to you?" Kaeya replied, rising from his chair and staring down at you with a dark smirk. You held his stare once again, before he winked and strolled away towards the bar to order. Letting out a rushed, heated breath, your fists tightened, nails digging into your palms. How does he have the audacity and shamelessness to act like this, you internally fumed.

Remaining calm in front of such a disgraceful, heartless person was going to be harder than you anticipated.

"Let's drink to your success, Y/N!" Kaeya declared, returning with a tray, loaded with many shots of whisky. You smiled at his foolishness, oh how this was going to turn out. You couldn't wait. Clinking glasses, the two of you downed a couple of shots in silence; you were beginning to feel the buzz, and the atmosphere felt warmer and calmer.

"Y/N, enlighten me on how the training was! Aha, it really takes me back to my days of training, and how it was easier than I expected," the Cavalry Captain asked, his eye glazed by the alcohol. You were a bit slow to process his words, but picked up on something...

"Hold up. 'Easier than expected?' I was in the courtyard for hours almost everyday at the beginning! Dainsleif never gave me any rest, the selfish b-," you rambled, but was not too drunk that you were able to stop yourself in time. It was definitely not a good idea to swear in front of your superior. At this, Kaeya laughed openly and deeply, head thrown back. Your eyes rested momentarily on how sharp his jaw was, and how his neck was stretched - you snorted at your distraction.

"Oho, but surely you learnt a lot from the training?"

You smiled fondly to yourself.

"I truly have Kaeya," you murmured, slurring. Looking up from the brown, wooden table to meet his now-softer expression, you smiled at him, but this time genuinely. Raising a shot glass, you both continued to drink, however this was accompanied by tales told by Kaeya of the other Knights, which resulted in your continuous laughter. 

As a couple of hours passed, the tavern was blurry, and the buzzing of tipsiness had dominated your senses. Your e/c eyes were purely focused on Kaeya at this point, who admittedly was alluring. From his sapphire, glazed eye - you wondered why he wore an eyepatch - to how lulling his lips were, and how they were home to such a commanding, yet enchanting voice. You fought the drunken tug in your chest to have it out with him, and to ask Kaeya why he had been so cold towards you those many months ago. You wanted to understand what made him act that way, and whether you had somehow hurt his feelings in some way.

Sigh.

The deep, heavy sigh resonated through the silence - only the two of you remained in the tavern, the bartender was in the floor above. It had stolen your attention, which stumbled back towards Kaeya. His eye misted over with a glisten of a tear, and he was slumped in his chair, with a serious expression. As a single tear threatened to fall from his eye, Kaeya looked at you, a pained expression surfacing, before swiftly wiping the tear away.

"I deeply regret that day." His silky voice was now a barely-audible whisper, but you understood and waited. "I regret it Y/N, more than you ever know. From the day we met, where I abused my power and terrified you, to how I left you alone that night and proceeded to degrade you in the awakening of dawn, it hurts. There hasn't been a day where I've not thought about it, how I cursed you with so much pain those times. The decision I made weighs upon me so heavily, and I wish I could take it all back. I wish I did not treat you as I did then Y/N." Kaeya slurred, voice breaking down with every word. You had expected his apology to fill you with joy and satisfaction, but it only hurt further to see someone so full of pain, overridden by guilt. "After I had pointed my sword at you and watched you collapse before me, I had vowed to myself to make it up to you whenever possible, to watch over you and ensure you settled in happily in Mond. I failed, Y/N, and I am truly, deeply sorry. If you do not wish to be in the Cavalry, I completely understand why. I am not worthy of asking your forgivene..." Kaeya slurred further, before collapsing forward onto the table and glasses.

The sudden acknowledgement and apology had slightly sobered you up, and to your surprise, you felt for him. Earlier you questioned yourself whether he could ever be trusted as an acquaintance, but there was no denying it - this was a heartfelt apology from Kaeya. Rising from your seat, you felt the ground spin as you stepped over to him. Gently holding his forehead and shoulders, you lifted his head and torso from the table and began to push him back in his seat. Successfully doing so, you noticed how Kaeya's neck position was flung back, which you at least knew needed to be corrected. Pulling his head forward and balancing him seemed to be impossible.

Shaking your head at the idea that entered your mind, you slowly pulled your chair over - it was lightwork. Sitting comfortably down, you gently rested the passed-out Captain on your shoulder. Maintaining your position and gazing down at him, you smiled slightly at how peaceful Kaeya looked.

You let out a sigh. There were a lot of feelings and thoughts to process tonight.