Work Text:
The rising sun peaks through the window, its beams illuminating the piles of papers scattered all over her desk. With her quill scratching away, Jean resisted a yawn. Her hand shook as she wrote, signing documents mindlessly.
Her body was on auto-pilot. Taken in the consideration she hasn't slept very well this past week. A deep ache runs through each of her limbs, reminding the (Acting) Grandmaster that she should probably take a minute to stretch. But these documents, all this paperwork, trapped her in a cage.
She couldn't just…abandoned it.
What kind of grandmaster would she be?
Jean rubbed her face, attempting to stay awake. The forgotten coffee had long gone cold and wouldn't be good anymore. Noelle gotten her dinner but that has remained untouched.
Blonde hair cascaded just past her shoulders. Brushing the messy strands away from her face, she straightened her posture (like a true Gunnhildr). Ignoring how her vision blurred, she scanned.
And scanned.
And scanned.
And scanned.
Each paragraph. Each word. Each letter.
The meanings became useless. They were important to some degree, but useless nonetheless. Everything was important. Hillichurls attacking innocent bystander. The threat of the abyss looming over them. People needing stuff to be delivered. Stray cats running away.
And it all piled on her desk.
The knights were short-staffed as it is. If she's the one who needs to do these mundane tasks, then she is the one.
“Oh, Jeanie,” A cold hand touched hers and allowed the quill to fall from her shaky fingers. He gently massaged her hand, releasing some stress off her muscles. Jean closed her eyes, feeling the way he moved to her shoulders. Her head dropped down, letting out a sigh.
“Kaeya…”
“Shhhh…” The Cavalry Captain ran his fingers through her hair, gently scratching at her scalp, “You need to go home.” His voice was a siren to her exhaustion, luring her into an ocean of sleep. Kaeya twirled a blonde strand around his finger.
“I can't go home. There's too much to do.” Jean replied, only able to speak just below a whisper. Not when the ache in her body eats away at her determination or when his gentle touch softens her resistance.
Kaeya frowned, moving to lean against her desk. The Grandmaster had to stifle a small noise of protest as he took his hands off her. His arms crossed against his chest, which peeked through the open collar of his shirt. It served as no distraction unfortunately this morning. It was a fun little game of theirs, seeing if they can get the other to look at them in a way childhood friends would never even think of. Jean always won though, because she is a lady, and ladies are professional in any room. Kaeya may be a gentleman but even he is not immune to Jean’s beauty.
“The sun has risen, you haven't left the headquarters since this past Sunday, and by the looks of it, you haven't had a decent meal.” He commented the obvious, reaching out to drag his knuckles down her face. The dark circles under her dull blue eyes told him everything. Without saying anything, Kaeya stood up, scooped her legs under one of his arms, and used the other to support her back. Jean did not say anything as he carried her bridal style out of her office. The captain greeted each knight that walked in to start their day.
Jean listened to the beat of his heart, the steadiness of it a balm to her troubles. Each step rocked her and the rumbling of his chest when he spoke just simple works was enough to send her to sleep. Kaeya glanced down at her and smiled, tightening his hold on her as he walked down the steep steps. There walked past the librarian dressed in her usual purple dress and hat. Klee skipped by her, hand in hand with Lisa. The mage shot him a knowing smile with a wink before walking Klee to the building.
People scattered over the streets, opening their shops, setting up their stalls, and going on their morning routines. Some saluted the captain, others shot him glanced, gossiping about him and the sleeping Grandmaster in his arms. He paid no attention to them. In Monsdadt, gossip was common. Everyone and everything was talked about. Right now, his focus was on the blonde nestled against his chest.
Eventually, they reached his apartment, and with some struggle, Kaeya opened the door. Shutting it with his foot, he navigated through the mess of his living room. Alcohol bottles laid astrewn (he needed to hide them from Jean). Ignoring it for now, he carried his lover friend into his bedroom. Jean was carefully placed on the soft mattress to not disturb the rare rest she gets. The bluenette unclasped her cape, removing her collar decoration and her vest. Unbuckling her belt, Kaeya moved on to unlacing her boots and sliding them off her legs.
He took off the remainder of her clothing, closing his eyes to avoid staring. Kaeya walked away from the bed to sort through his own closet. Grabbing a random shirt, he was careful to slip it over her head and guided her arms through the sleeves. The shirt was big on her but comfy. As she slept, he couldn't help but watch her peaceful expression, her chest rising and falling in her slumber. His hand unconsciously held onto hers, his thumb rubbing invisible circles onto her skin. He brought it up to his mouth and placed gentle kisses on each of her knuckles.
“Sleep well, M’lady.” Kaeya made a move to get up, however, Jean’s sudden iron grip caught him off guard. She was still asleep, but her needs were made clear. He chucked, “Let me get changed and I'll join.” Placing another reassuring kiss to her hand, he squeezed back.
A few moments later, Kaeya was now in sleep clothes and he crawled onto the bed with Jean. Bringing the covers over them, he pulled the blonde against him, wrapping an arm around her. His lips kissed her head as she nuzzled into him, burying her face into his chest. A smile made its way onto both of their faces as they slept through the day.
—
Jean yawned as she stretched herself over the bed. Her weary eyes caught sight of no body by her side, but she made no move on searching for him. The sun felt warm on her face and she felt no need to get up. Her hair covered the pillow, forming a halo around her head. With a shoulder exposed, Jean pulled the blanket back up to her chin, snuggling into the fabric.
“Well, good afternoon to you too.” Kaeya chuckled, carrying a small bowl of fruit and tea in his hands. His hair was done, reaching just to the middle of his back. He wore a simple dark blue blouse and brown trousers. His eye patch had been left off, revealing the burn scar around his eyes.
“Hm? Afternoon? Oh!” Jean shot right up, scrambling out of bed, “The knights-”
“-Are being taken care of by our lovely librarian and alchemist.” He smiled, guiding Jean back into bed, “Albedo offered to do your paperwork while he was in town, and Lisa was happy to watch over the knights. They're terrified of her per usual.” Another chuckle escaped him as he cupped Jean’s cheek. Kissing her forehead as if kisses will get rid of her worries (it won't but he could try), Kaeya pushed her slightly to lay back down. “Just stay. Even the Grandmaster needs her rest, hm?”
“Acting Grandmaster,” Jean protested with a sigh, guilt eating away at her bones. She was careless. Careless with her health, with her work, and now look where she is. Sleeping for almost two days and having the rest of the knights do her job. What kind of Grandmaster was she?
A useless one.
Despite everything, she leaned into Kaeya’s cold palm, closing her eyes. His thumb gently stroked her cheekbone. Right now, in this room, on this bed, she didn't need to be the Grandmaster that failed, or the Dandelion knight that everyone relied on. She could be just Jean.
“Thank you…”
Kaeya smiled, resting their foreheads together.
“There's no need to thank me. I am just doing the job of your right-hand man.”
Jean grinned, “And what's that?”
“Holding you together.”
Her blue eyes had their gleam back and she kissed his nose.
“Will you rejoin me?”
“Of course.”