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"You know," Paimon, the floating fairy-like companion of the world famous traveler remarked as she flew beside said traveler, “it’s been a while since we’ve been back to Mondstadt. I wonder how everyone’s doing there.”
“It has been a while,” The Traveler, privately known as Lumine, agreed, “but Paimon, we’ve just seen quite a few of our friends from Mondsadt back when we were in Simulanka.”
“You’re right,” Paimon recalled, her star-patterned cape fluttering as she flew excitedly, “we saw Mona, Albedo and Klee, and Kaeya and Master Jean!”
“Speaking of Kaeya and Jean,” Lumine pondered aloud, “Paimon, have you noticed anything strange about them recently?”
“If we count the stupid face Kaeya made when he drank that ink drink at the bar in Simulanka,” Paimon said, smirking cheerily as she recalled the normally suave man’s spluttering and disgusted face.
“Not like that,” Lumine replied, but couldn’t help but laugh at the memory as well, “I meant between Kaeya and Jean.”
“Ohh,” Paimon responds, “now that you mention it, they did seem to be much closer than the last time we saw them. Actually, thinking back to Simulanka, didn’t it seem as if the two of them were on a date?”
“That is what I was thinking,” Lumine nods, “it’s rather sweet isn’t it. Looking back, Kaeya was always a very avid supporter of Jean’s. Remember what he told us when we asked him about her the first time?”
“He said we had to give her our full support,” Paimon recounted the words that the normally elusive captain said, “he was strangely serious about it. Any other time we asked him about people, he always seemed to have a joke to add; with Jean, he seemed much more serious. Do you really think Kaeya loves her?”
“Well he definitely cares about her,” Lumine said, sitting down on a mushroom cap. “Remember the party that he refused to take credit for?”
“Oh yeah,” Paimon giggled, “I’ve never seen Kaeya that shy before or after that. I can’t believe this; Kaeya is in love with Master Jean!”
“Slow down,” Lumine sighed, knowing Paimon could occasionally take things too far, “we don’t know that for sure. How about we try and find out the next time we see them? However, we can’t breach their privacy, alright?”
“Sounds good to me,” Paimon smiled gleefully, “let’s head back to Mondstadt!”
Meanwhile, back in Mondstadt, a certain cavalry captain was getting ready for his day.
“Hey Kayea!” a bumbling bundle of joy leapt into his arms the moment he crossed the threshold of the Knights’ headquarters.
“Hello Spark Knight Klee,” Kaeya greeted back, a genuine smile on his face. Klee didn’t know it, but she truly made his days far more pleasant.
“Can I tell you a secret?” the little pyromaniac whispered in his ear, “it’s super important.”
“Why of course?” Kaeya replied, lowering his own voice, “I’m an expert secret keeper.”
“Albedo helped me make a new Jumpy Dumpty,” Klee whispered into his ear, her sinister little giggle clear, “it can blow up ten times as many fishes as the old ones. Albedo told me it was such a good design, that he was going to tell Master Jean to give them to all of the knights to use on the expedition!”
“Is that so?” Kaeya asked, mentally terrified to see the monstrous explosion such a powerful bomb could make, “well, it is certainly a good thing that our resident bomb expert is so talented.” Kaeya paused for a moment, “Klee, how have your lessons with Lisa been?”
“Super good!” the energetic blonde grinned as she told over things Lisa had taught her. Kayea listened carefully as he walked into his office. He took out some of the paper and crayons he always had on hand, and set them down on the small table in the corner. Since Klee loved to join him while he worked, he set aside a special spot for her toys, books, and materials. Sometimes, when he felt rather gracious, he’d even let her work on her Jumpy Dumpties; it wouldn’t bide well with him to completely stifle her creativity.
“I have to start my work now,” Kaeya said as he gently set the girl down, “but you’re welcome to stay here. If you’re really good, I’ll even take you to Good Hunter’s for lunch.”
“I’ll be super good!” Klee’s eyes practically sparkled as she ran off to go play. Kaeya couldn’t help but smile softly, before heading to his desk to begin his work.
“Kaeya,” Klee approached his desk a few hours later. She had left the office at some point in the past four hours, but had returned only a half hour before. “Can we go to Good Hunter now?”
“Of course we can,” Kaeya laid down his pen and stretched his arms, “let’s head out right now.” Grabbing his pouch of mora, he took Klee’s hand in his and headed out the Favonius building.
“What a pleasant day it is,” Kaeya flashed a showy grin at Sara, “you are looking wonderful Sara. Would you be so kind as to prepare one Fisherman’s toast and two pizzas?”
“Right away Captain,” Sara responded, turning to write down the order. Kaeya put down the correct amount of mora on the counter and took Klee to a table.
“Why’d you buy two pizzas?” Klee asked him, curious red eyes staring at him as they sat down.
“Why that’s very simple,” Kaeya answered dramatically, “one is for the lovely Master Jean of course. Knowing how hard she works, I doubt she’s gotten any time to go and get lunch for herself.”
“Can I bring it to her with you?” Klee asks, her eyes practically begging for him to agree.
“Of course,” Kaeya instantly agrees, “it’s a duty of every one of the knights to make sure that the Acting Grandmaster is able to complete all of her work.”
Jean was working diligently in her office, reviewing the details of a trade deal with Liyue’s Lady Ningguang, when Kayea and Klee walked in.
“Kae- I mean Captain Kaeya,” Jean quickly stammers, almost forgetting to address her subordinate correctly, “what brings the two of you here?”
“We brought you lunch!” Klee bounced over to Jean, handing her the pizza they’d brought, “Kaeya said you were going to be too busy to go eat.”
“Did he now?” Jean looks at Kaeya, a teasing tone to her words.
“The Acting Grandmaster’s health is crucial to the health of the Ordo,” Kaeya filled the silence with his typical smooth talk.
“Thank you,” Jean smiled at the two of them. “Klee, aren’t you supposed to be with Albedo right now?”
Klee’s eyes widened, and she raced out the door screaming Albedo’s name. Kaeya chuckled; she truly was a fireball.
“You didn’t have to do that,” Jean said softly, approaching Kaeya slowly, “I could have bought myself lunch.”
“But we both know that you wouldn’t,” Kaeya moved closer, brushing Jean’s hair out of her face gently, “you’re too much of a workaholic to do that. You need to take time for yourself Jeanie.”
“But-” Jean tried protesting, but Kaeya wouldn’t hear it.
“No buts,” Kaeya placed a finger over her mouth, cutting her off, “now, why don’t the two of us have dinner at my place tonight? We both could use the down time.”
“Are you sure?” Jean asked. This thing between the two of them, this new depth to their relationship, was still uncharted territory. Was it really appropriate for her to go to his home alone?”
“I’m certain,” Kaeya responded, “shall I wait for you or would you like to walk there yourself?”
“Wait for me,” Jean decided, “perhaps we can finish that discussion that we began back in Simulanka.”
At the mention of their conversation in Simulanka, Kaeya’s heart clenched. There, in that fantastical world created by Klee’s omnipotent, powerful mother, he had confessed everything to Jean. His origins, his role, his feelings; he confessed and confided in Jean every last secret that he had. He stripped away every wall of privacy he had ever created, all for her. He couldn’t bear to deceive her anymore; he saw how stressed she was becoming at the attacks of the abyss. He couldn’t hide his abyssal connections anymore, not when they could ease her burden. He knew he was risking everything by telling her; he had seen what happened the last time he’d try coming clean. Yet, even faced with another killing blow, Kaeya preferred to ease Jean’s burden, even if it meant losing her forever.
He was incredibly surprised, when instead of getting angry, Jean had wrapped him in the tightest embrace. She cried; something she hadn’t done since her parents had separated all those years ago.
“Your blood doesn’t matter,” she told him once she composed herself, “no matter what ties your father once had with the abyss, they do not change who you are: a knight of favonius. More than anyone in the Ordo, you’ve proven that you would do anything for the sake of Mondstadt.”
Kayea couldn’t believe her words. He had mumbled all sorts of reasons why she should be hating him, reasons that he deserved to burn.
“But Kaeya,” she interrupted his rambling gently, “how could I ever hate you?”
That sentence led to the situation the two of them were in right now: tentatively dating. Jean’s anger towards Diluc raged for days once she’d found out about their duel in the rain. It was all that he could do to convince her to leave him alone; if he, the one attacked, could let bygones be bygones, so could she. After all, there was a reason for Diluc's outburst. Kayea wasn’t going to blame his brother for lashing out in the way he did; betrayal is a bitter pill to swallow.
Kayea tapped his foot anxiously; what was taking Jean so long? Has she gotten distracted by the paperwork again?
“Hey Kaeya,” a chirpy voice called from his blind side, “it’s good to see you again.”
Kaeya turned around, only to be greeted by the sight of the famous Traveler and Paimon. The last he had seen of them was at the bar in Simulanka. He had yet forgiven Paimon for tricking him into drinking that ink; he’d get his revenge soon.
“I didn’t expect to see you two,” Kaeya smirked, “what happened to your plans of heading to Natlan?”
“We got a little sidetracked by a commission and ended up nearby,” The Traveler answered truthfully, “since we were nearby, we decided to stop by and say hello.”
“That’s wonderful to hear,” Kaeya made a show of clapping his hands, “I hear Natlan’s famous for its relaxing hot springs. Perhaps I ought to drag Jean there sometime. She could really use some rest and relaxation.”
Strangely, Paimon got all giggly at the mention of the hot springs; he supposed that they might be of interest to someone like The Traveler. The poor girl always seemed to find herself in tense situations; maybe Paimon was planning to treat The Traveler for once.
“I am so sorry,” Jean ran out of the building, breathing heavily, “I got so distracted reading Eula’s report on the hilichurl camps near the Liyue trade routes. Let’s get going; your oven takes forever to cook the skewers. If we want to eat, we better start walking.”
Kaeya sighed as he saw the widening eyes of The Traveler and Paimon; in her haste, Jean had said too much. The Traveler wasn’t stupid; she’d put two and two together. Lisa and Albedo were already on their case; Kaeya suspected they had bet on them. He didn’t need information on their personal relationship getting out; it would impede his work and would fluster Jean. She was already worrying so much about the propriety of their relationship, seeing as they were two high-ranking knights. Kaeya had pointed out that Jean’s parents, the Cardinal and the Knights’ Second-in-Command, had been married despite their high-ranking positions. That barely reassured her; her parents had separated, after all.
Jean herself seemed to have realized what she said. Her eyes widened, and she clamped her hand over her mouth. It was too late for damage control.
“I knew it!” Paimon squealed, flying nearly straight into Jean’s pretty face, “see, I told you Lumine!”
“I’m pretty sure it was the other way around,” The Traveler rolled her eyes, before giving Jean a small smile, “I hope you two are happy.”
“Thank you,” Jean stuttered, still startled at the whole affair.
“We’ll take our leave then,” Kaeya grabbed Jean’s hand and began walking towards his home. “Oh,” he turned around, making sure his one eye connected with the Traveler’s, “do keep this between ourselves, would you?”
The two then walked off, leaving The Traveler and Paimon alone.
“I can't believe they left us like that!” Paimon said angrily, flailing her hands, “can you believe it, Lumine?”
“Cut them some slack,” Lumine said, already tired of Paimon’s whining, “we did spring on them at the last minute. They clearly had other plans that we were infringing on.”
“Whatever,” Paimon pouted, “I guess I shouldn’t expect manners from Kaeya of all people.”
Unbeknownst to her, the mere mention of his wayward brother had attracted the attention of the barkeeper.
“I just can’t believe he got Master Jean of all people,” Paimon whispered, “how could someone so good like her like someone so shady like him?” However, Paimon’s version of whispering was like a normal person’s indoor voice.
Diluc nearly smashed the glass he was holding; Kaeya and Jean were together? Damn that brother of his; how could he dare to infect the goodhearted Jean with his degeneracy? His brother was nowhere near the good, romantic prince charming that he knew Jean dreamed of. Did he even bother to tell Jean about his connections to Khanrei’ah? As an avid defender of Mondstadt, she would be horrified to find out about that deep rooted connection with the fallen kingdom. How could Kayea take advantage of the fond feelings that Jean felt for him and trick her into loving something that she hated?
“Man the bar,” Diluc directed Charles, putting on his jacket. He had a brother to talk to. This couldn’t go on any longer; it would wind up hurting Jean.
“I still can’t believe how well you cook,” Jean said as she bit into a chicken skewer. Kaeya had cooked for her long before they had begun this stage in their relationship. She just hadn’t really gotten the chance to watch him in the process. Now, she sat perched on a chair, watching as her partner fashioned together a tray of chicken and a bowl of salad for the two of them.
“Why always with that tone of surprise?” Kaeya said teasingly, flashing a flirty grin, “I’ve always been very capable.”
“I know,” Jean flushed red at Kaeya’s easy flirtations. Normally, when in front of others, she could keep her cool when he flirted. However, when they were alone and she knew that he truly meant it, she couldn’t help but burn red.
Kaeya placed the food at the table and pecked Jean lightly on the cheek. Jean’s cheeks flushed even further.
“You look adorable like that,” Kaeya was pleased with the bright red of Jean’s cheeks. After years of her not responding to his flirtations, it was nice to see that he could finally fluster the girl he loved.
Jean didn’t respond and simply began to eat her food. Kaeya took that as a sign that she was too embarrassed to make conversation, and he too began to eat. He knew that they’d soon have to talk; they’d left quite a few things unsaid when they had talked in Simulanka. They’d been pushing things off for a bit; their day-to-day schedule kept both of them busy. However, with things slowing down, it was time for them to truly flesh out what they meant to each other.
Jean was the one to bring it up.
“About Khanerei’ah,” she began hesitantly, “you said that you were a spy and the last hope. What do you mean by that?”
Kaeya took a deep breath. This was it; he couldn’t screw this up.
“My father abandoned me at the Raginvindrs,” he confessed, “he told me that I was the last hope. I always thought I had inherited some kind of duty towards Kahnrei’ah, some sort of secret mission. I still believe that to be the case, but, every so often, I consider that, maybe just maybe, my father had just wanted a better life for me.”
Kaeya took a deep breath; he had never told anyone this part, not even Diluc. In fact, there were likely only five people in this world who knew of this dark secret: The Traveler, Paimon, a man called Dainsleif, likely his father, and himself.
“There are discrepancies in my memory,” Kaeya continued, looking Jean dead in the eyes, “I recall hazy memories of living in the ruins of Khanrei’ah. The members of the Alberich Clan were Khanreia’hn regents after all. However, I recently met a pure-blooded Khanrei’ahn who allowed me to piece things together completely.” Kaeya breathed in deeply. “Jean, I am a descendant of the Abyss Order’s founder.”
Jean gasped at the words uttered. He had confessed to having blood ties to the abyss order; he had confessed to being Khanreia’hn. However, back in Simulanka, his words were harried and panicked, she had barely understood most of what he had said. Now, however, she knew it all; he was Khanrei’ahn royalty, descendant from no less than the founder of the Abyss Order himself. She then recalled the fate of the nation Kaeya hailed from; the land was completely destroyed. Did her partner, no, the man she loved, truly grow up in ruins under the ground, Had he truly been burdened with the fate of a nation at the tender age of eight? And now, all these years later, he’s had to grapple with his identity as a blood descendant of the founder of the most vile and evil organizations across Teyvat?
“I know that this is hard to come to terms with,” Kaeya continued, determined to face Jean, despite every instinct telling him to run, “and I know what it says about my loyalty. In fact, when Master Crepus died, I was, to my shame, almost happy about it. I was finally free of the burden that had hung over my head all those years.”
Jean digested the information. She trusted Kaeya more than anyone, even with her life. However, she was still the Acting Grandmaster of Mondstadt, the Dandelion Knight. She had to confirm his intentions, even if the answer left her heart shattered.
“If the Khanrei’ah or the Abyss Order went to war with Mondstadt,” Jean hardened her voice, not allowing any of her fear to slip out, “tell me Kaeya, would you fight for Mondstadt? Can I continue to count on you to remain a loyal captain of Mondstadt’s knights?”
“If you had asked me this right after Master Crepus’ death,” Kaeya admitted, “I wouldn’t be able to answer that. I was torn between the side of my biological father, the man who abandoned me or the side of my adoptive father, the man who had raised me. Now, however,” Kaeya sat straight, “I can say with a full heart that I would choose Mondstadt.”
Jean breathed a sigh of relief; she wouldn’t know what to do with herself if he had answered in the negative. Still she couldn’t help herself but to ask the last question on her mind.
“Why the change of heart?” Jean voiced her final question, curious as to what he’d answer.
Kaeya hesitated to answer; he had kept these feelings locked so tight within him for so long. Yet, he knew that if he didn’t say them now, he may lose his chance forever.
“You,” he blurted out, his normal suave gone, “it’s always been you, Jeanie. You just didn’t know how to give up on me, even when I wanted to give up on myself. Of course, people like Klee, Bennet, Fischl, Lisa, and Albedo made things meaningful as well. But in the end, the person who I stay in Mondstadt for is you.”
Jean couldn’t hold back anymore. She flung herself at Kaeya, just as she had when he first confessed to her. Kaeya caught her easily, and after a few moments, sunk into her embrace.
“All this time?” Jean asked amidst her sobs, “you’ve been holding all of this for so long?”
Kaeya didn’t have what to answer, so he simply held Jean tighter. They would have sat like that for a little longer, had a booming knock not sounded on the door. Just as they were about to spring into action, the person responsible burst through himself.
Diluc was barely thinking as he raced through the streets, heading straight to the Cat’s Tail. Kaeya never missed a night of drinking; when he wasn’t at Angel’s Share, he was at the Cat’s Tail.
“Where’s Kaeya?” Diluc demanded from Margaret, who was managing the bar.
“The cavalry captain hasn’t joined us this evening,” Margaret responded coolly. She dealt with drunks on a daily basis; she could handle the angry redhead.
Diluc was in such a rush that he didn’t bother apologizing for the intrusion. Running back outside, he took a sharp turn, heading directly for where he knew Kaeya to live.
He walked straight to the door, knocking loudly, hoping that Kaeya would be cooperative. When Kaeya didn’t open the door, Diluc decided to barge in. What he was not expecting was to walk in on his younger brother embracing his junior.
“Diluc?” Kaeya froze; what was his older brother doing in his house?
“I hope you have an explanation for this Sir Diluc,” Jean stood up, turning to address her senior head on, “breaking into a Knight of Favonios’ abode is highly illegal. I do hope you have a reasonable excuse.”
“I need to speak with you,” Diluc glared at Kaeya. While he may have come to terms with Kaeya’s past, may have once again begun to see him as a brother, he could not stand for said brother to trick Jean in any way. She was a dear friend since the beginning of his childhood, as well as a devoted junior. He would not allow his idiot of a brother to break her heart.
“Whatever you want to say,” Jean answered for Kaeya, “you can say to the both of us. Should you choose not to, we will be forced to place you under the custody of the knights.”
“As Jean said,” Kaeya said quietly, having quickly understood what the situation was. Paimon was well known for her loose tongue; it really should be no surprise that she’d let it slip. Why it had to be to Diluc is what he was wondering? “You can say anything to the both of us.”
Diluc was shocked at how meek his younger brother was acting. Normally he’d respond with his glib-tongue, a playfully teasing tone to all of his words. Now, however, he was strangely serious.
Nonetheless, Diluc had come there for a reason, and he was not about to let Kaeya’s strange behavior stop him.
“You need to leave Jean alone,” Diluc stated simply, “you know good and well why. I will not allow you to get away with hurting Jean with that double personality of yours. You’ve fooled and hurt enough people.”
Kaeya didn’t know how to answer that. Every word that Diluc said was true; he had fooled and hurt people, and would likely do the same with Jean.
“You have no right to interfere in either of our decisions,” Jean noticed the panic that Kaeya was in, and took it upon herself to represent the both of them, “you are someone dear to both of us, so I will let you off with a warning. Leave, before my patience wears thin.”
“Look me in the eyes,” Diluc ignores Jean, and turns to Kaeya, “you can’t go on deceiving her like you deceived Father and I. Jean deserves better than someone who can only be a fake.”
“That’s enough,” Kaeya found his voice and spoke up, somehow maintaining his normal, cheeky tone, “Master Diluc, what gives you the impression that I haven’t been honest with the Acting Grandmaster? In fact, she is someone that I cannot hide anything from; she can be rather terrifying when she’s angry.”
“That hasn’t stopped you before,” Diluc rebutted, “you and I are both aware of what happened that night and the secrets you’ve confessed. How dare you stand there as if you're not betraying her at this very moment?”
“I am well aware of his heritage,” Jean pinned Diluc with her fiercest glare, “in fact, I may even know more than you. Khanrei’ahn or not, I am willing to entrust my heart with Kaeya. Now, I appreciate the concern you have for me, but you are disturbing our evening. Please leave now.”
Diluc couldn’t believe the words that left Jean’s mouth. Had Kaeya truly told Jean about his heritage? Still, just because she knew where he was from, doesn’t mean she knew everything.
“Have you told her why you’re really here?” Diluc challenged his brother, looking the man directly in the eye, “Have you told her that your entire purpose here is to spy on her city?”
“Yes,” Kaeya answered harshly, tired of this entire drama, “I’ve told her everything, and somehow, despite it, she is willing to stand by me. Do you truly hate me that much? Do you truly hate me to the extent that you cannot see me happy?”
“I don’t hate you,” Diluc said immediately, the words slipping from his mouth, “I’ve long since forgiven you for the events that took place the night of Father’s death.”
“Then why storm into my home and ruin my date!” Kaeya shouted, finally losing his temper, “you have no reason to be here.”
“I’m sorry for worrying about Jean!” Diluc shouted back, “how was I supposed to know that she knew?”
“Maybe by not assuming I’d be horrible enough to enter a romantic relationship without telling that person the truth!” Kaeya retorted.
Diluc bit his cheek to try and cool down. Unfortunately, Kaeya had a point. It was his assumptions that had led to this mid-night argument.
“My apologies,” Diluc said gruffly, and turned to leave. Jen was about to add something, but Kaeya signaled her not to.
“Some things are better left as is,” he answered her questioning look once the door had closed. “I’ve long understood that.”
Life returned to its normal rhythm, albeit with a few new changes. Once one person had found out, the rumors of Kaeya and Jean’s relationship filled the lower town. Reluctantly, the two of them publicized the truth; they had really wanted to wait a little longer. However, the public knowledge of their relationship status did allow for Kaeya to be a bit more liberal with Jean.
“Good morning to our beautiful Acting Grandmaster,” Kaeya greeted Jean, kissing her lightly on the cheek, “how may I serve you today?”
“I need you to check out the treasure hoarders near Dragonspine,” Jean, now used to Kaeya’s open flirtations and public affection, remained cool headed, “I’d normally ask Albedo, but he’s taken Klee to Liyue, something about a zombie friend of hers. I didn’t ask many questions; I feel like I probably wouldn’t want to hear the answers anyhow.”
“I’ll get right on that,” Kaeya took the mission statement from Jean’s hand, “don’t work too hard. We have a lake date after clocking out.”
“I won’t,” Jean promised, and Kaeya left for his own office. Life had finally gained a new rhythm, and Jean was thrilled that Kaeya could be a part of it.
Diluc, after the disaster at Kaeya’s home, had sent a formal apology to both, accompanied with his congratulations and two bottles of Dandelion wine.
As Kayea had predicted, Albedo and Lisa had been betting on them, Albedo winning quite the sum of mora from Lisa’s disappointed hands. She had apparently bet that the two of them would dance around each other until one of them got seriously injured.
Klee had been thrilled that two of the people she liked the most were happy. She mostly drew pictures of the three of them together, so Jean wasn’t too worried about her reaction.
Barbara was also happy, although she was disappointed that she had only found out through the rumors. Jean had reassured her that they actually never told anyone, and if they would have, she would have been the very first they would have told.
Due to her parents being away on expedition, Jean had no idea what they thought. However, she hoped that they'd be just as supportive as everyone else.
But most of all, Jean was just really glad to have Kaeya. And in turn, Kaeya was glad to have Jean. Whatever would come next, they would face together, head on.