maid • kaeya

lxix

• third person •

The night had long settled, the moon watching over above as the three finally returned to Springvale.

Luca looked over at his sister at his side in anticipation. Thankfully, she seemed to get quite comfortable at August's as the night went on, and eventually she even began to talk a lot. It wasn't as much as before Crepus passed, but it was still a big improvement.

"So, how did you like it there, Lucien?" he asked with a warm smile. "You looked like you were having fun."

Lucien stared at the grass beneath them. The windmill of Springvale blew strongly above them, leaves drifting in the currents that rushed past.

She hummed quietly. "Mhm. Was fun," she mumbled.

Luca sighed. He was holding onto Lucien's arm yet she still seemed to be stumbling slightly. She had drank a little, but the moment she realised she was getting tipsy, she had clung to her brother the whole evening. It was safe to say that Luca didn't have a single droplet. He also forbade Leon from having any, much to Leon's dismay.

It was strange for Luca to see his little sister drunk. She wasn't allowed to drink the last he had seen her. He hadn't expected her to become so... well, clingy.

The moment she started getting tipsy Luca noticed she was beginning to become a little paranoid, so he just let her cling to him. Luca had been her safe space her entire life. This wasn't really anything new to him.

Though, Lucien was pretty quiet now. He guessed that the tiredness was getting to her. Her grip on her brother was also loosening as they approached his door.

Leon yawned beside them. "Maybe I'm glad I didn't drink anything... I'm exhausted."

Luca only chuckled, unlocking the door. He allowed Leon to step in first, before carefully bringing Lucien inside with him.

"Go on to bed," he spoke softly. Leon smiled as Luca pecked his lips. "Goodnight, love."

"Goodn— Huh?"

Luca burst into giggles, before rushing into the living room with Lucien.

Leon could only stare in silence, before, eventually, a playful sigh heaved from his chest. He shook his head, retiring upstairs.

Carefully, Luca helped Lucien lay down on the sofa. She yawned, shaking her head. "Is it time to sleep?" she mumbled. "No... You can't go... I'm scared."

"You're safe here, Lucien," Luca whispered. Delicately, he tucked her in, kissing her forehead. "We're at home. In Mondstadt. You can sleep peacefully."

"Are you sure..?" Lucien frowned. Her eyes fluttered; it was clear she was slipping in and out of consciousness.

"I'm completely sure," Luca answered.

A small sigh of relief left Lucien's lips, before she snuggled into the blanket. "Good... Otherwise, I wouldn't like what he would do. It would hurt. Really hurts..."

Luca's eyebrows raised, but it was clear Lucien hadn't paid any mind to what she had just said. His lips pursed, as he gently brushed her hair back.

"No one's going to hurt you here, I promise," he whispered.

A simple soft smile spread across Lucien's face. That was all, before her exhaustion finally overtook her. Luca stood straight, rubbing his forehead. He shook his head, gradually leaving the room, heading upstairs also.

He glanced at (Y/N)'s decorated bedroom door. She should be asleep at this time, but... it wouldn't hurt to check.

Luca knocked on her door quietly. Unsurprisingly, there was no reply. He held the door handle, slowly pushing it open.