Chapter Text
Many stories have come and gone, some still going. Our story takes place on a dark night with the wind flowing gently through the trees, a light rain dotting the ground. There is a young child, afraid and freezing.
“You are our last hope, Kaeya.” These hard words coming from his father were the last words he heard before he was brought over.
Kaeya couldn’t understand the difference between this world, and where he was from. Both were dark, both were cold, both were scary. However, in this world, his mother and father weren’t there, beside him. They weren’t there to keep him alive, and they weren’t there to make sure he doesn’t mess up. Now what?
He hears a noise, the sound of wheels. It’s loud. Hard thumping noises were coming. They were coming for him. They were going to take him. They were going to-
What was going to happen? The panic was installed into his mind, despite not even understanding what it was that he feared.
He was trapped in his mind, a mix between wanting to run, and wanting to hide. Kaeya doesn’t even notice that the loud noises that had assaulted his ears have halted. He lay there curled up, hands around his ears, tears flowing freely. He is released from his mind, by a strong voice.
“It is but a child!”
The child looked up to see a tall, red haired man. Red. He saw this red before. He remembered this somewhere. His father… he told him to seek a man with hair as red as blood. This mans hair? The color of fresh blood flowing from a wound. How could a man’s hair be as red as this?
“What is a young boy such as you doing here?” He heard the man ask him. How could Kaeya respond? Surely, he couldn’t tell this man about his mission. He’ll definitely be killed.
He opened his mouth, unsure of what to say, however, before he could utter any words, the man continued, “No matter, would you like to come with me? I could help take care of you until your family comes back.”
Kaeya felt himself be lifted into the air. Wait! What’s happening, they’re taking him! Father? Mother!? What’s going to happen!? Before he could strike out, he was placed lightly onto a plush seat. He was let go.
“You can call me Crepus, boy” He heard the man say. The seat he was on suddenly started moving. He’s moving! How is it moving. What is going to happen. This sudden movement was paired with the thumping noises he heard previously.
He mustered up the courage to ask, “Sir…? What is,” He paused, faltering, then quieter, he continued, “what is happening…?”
“Oh! We’re in a carriage right now. And it is being pulled by horses.” He replied. No judgement? This gave Kaeya a little confidence.
“We don’t have those where I am from.” He commented.
Crepus arched a red eyebrow, “Oh? Where would that be?” Kaeya realized his mouth slipped. What will he say? What could he say? How could he say anything without exposing himself?
He stayed quiet.
Crepus sneaked a glance towards the child. He seemed so tired, so scared. “It’s alright, son. It doesn’t matter where you’re from.” He pauses,
“No matter where you’re from, so long as you’re in the land of Mondstadt, our lord Barbatos will protect you. You can be one of his for the time being.”
Kaeya looks up, eyes wide.
****
“Kaeya? What’s wrong?” The master of the Dawn Winery saw the teenager at his door.
“Master Crepus, I have something to tell you? Could I…?” He tried to allow Crepus to catch his meaning.
Crepus was always there to catch Kaeya when needed, “Of course Kaeya. What do you need?” He put down what he was doing and showed Kaeya his attention.
It’s too late. Too late to back down. Too late to stop telling him about this.
It’s not too late to stop being a spy though.
“I’m not good.” Kaeya rushed out.
“Huh?” Master Crepus tilted his head with a confused smile. “Pardon me?”
“I’m a spy.” Kaeya repeated, when Crepus’s expression didn’t change, he continued, “From Khaenri’ah. I am a spy from Khaenri’ah, here to see the destruction of Mondstadt.” Kaeya could feel tears prick at his eyes. No. He must do this. He cannot break down here. He will face whatever his father – no he has not right – whatever Master Crepus, does.
He heard a laugh. He looked up in confusion. He just told this man he was a spy, meant to break his beloved nation, and he’s laughing? Does he not believe him?
“Kaeya, why so serious?” Crepus looks at him in amusement.
“Wh-what?” What was confusion before, became bewilderment. Why was he not being thrown out yet?
“Kaeya I met you when you were a child. If a child can be a spy, then why not my horses?”
“I don’t understand. Why aren’t you mad? Why aren’t you scared I’ll be the downfall of Mond?”
“Kaeya, I watched you grow up alongside your brother. I know you. You would rather break yourself, than break the things you care about. I have no doubt that you will make the right choice in the end.”
“What? What if I choose my homeland?” Kaeya still couldn’t understand Crepus’s nonchalance behaviour despite being told his son was…
“It’s up to you Kaeya. No matter what, I will stay proud of who you are today.” Crepus smiled, crow feet wrinkles forming at the edges of his eyes.”
Kaeya just nodded, a warm feeling blooming in his chest.
***
“How will I ever explain it to Diluc?” Kaeya seemingly randomly rushed out as he stared as his boots. They were on a walk today, Diluc on his knightly duties, as the young cavalry captain.
The breeze was cool as they walked along the path in Wolvendom, picking up wolfhook berries for the Winery. Crepus stared off into the open. “If you would like, I could be there with you,” He stared, “But I’m sure no matter what happens, Diluc will accept you either way. Surely, you must realize that he sees you as a brother.”
Kaeya’s head snapped up to look at Crepus. What? “Diluc…? He thinks of me? As a brother?”
Crepus chuckled, amused, “You don’t feel the same?” He said with a smirk.
“I-I mean I do, it’s just! Diluc? He- He really does?”
“I’m sure he does.” The smirk devolved into a soft smile. He sees Kaeya as a son.
They continue the walk in silence.
“What if…” Kaeya starts to break the silence. Master Crepus looks up, “What if you aren’t… there?” He asks in a low tone.
Crepus’s soft smile fell off his face. “I’m sure you will find the bravery to do so yourself. When I am no longer able to draw breaths, I hope you will be able to find the confidence in yourself to make the right choice.” The blue haired boy could tell that Crepus didn’t mean just the confession of his hometown to Diluc.