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Kaeya seems to have been stalked for more than a week now, with one specific purpose in mind. There's no other way to explain the constant movement behind him. It's like someone's put a beacon on him. A bright red one, like a bow. It would be easier if it were just a spy or a fatui agent, but no. His pursuer is smart, though clumsy, knows his schedule, and follows him around as if waiting for Kaeya to make a mistake. She's always with the cavalry captain, practically nonstop, never losing sight of his target. And honestly, Kaeya doesn't even know if she should tell Amber that her headband and bow give her away everywhere and every time?
It was even funny at first, especially when he stopped abruptly and met the gaze of a lost Stalker Scout. Kaeya enjoyed watching her stumble for words each time, finding more and more bizarre excuses each time.
" It's a small town," Amber jokes, unfolding the wings to get away from the scene. But Kaeya knows she'll be back in ten minutes to continue her surveillance from the roof.
And on the whole, this spy game would continue to amuse him, if it weren't for one very important "but". During the last two weeks of surveillance, it had become more difficult to sneak kisses with his girlfriend. And it was more annoying than the partially undermined work with informants. But as long as Amber didn't pry too deeply into his activities outside the walls of the Order, it was okay.
It all began with the preparations for the Winter Festival honoring the friendship between Boreas and Barbatos. The week before, Varka had kindly announced that Jean had been chosen by the Order to be the chief organizer (it really happened by accident when she pulled out the longest wand of all the captains at the distribution). Amber, Eula and Lisa were appointed as her assistants, each sharing the duties with Jean. And while Eula and Lisa only crossed paths with her in extreme cases, the red swirl in her office appeared in Jean's every day. Don't get me wrong - a lot of the decorating of the city had to be done in the moment. This kind of teamwork suited everyone except Kaeya.
If there was one place Kaeya had been as often as the Angel's Share, it was Jean's office. Knocking on her ajar door was a time-honored tradition. After all these years, it's more of a habit for Jean to recognize a visitor by a series of rhythmic knocks on the door. Whenever he crossed the threshold of her office, the first thing he did was to touch her right hand, forcing her to stop writing. Then he bent down to touch her skin with his lips, to smell the perfume she put on her neck every morning. For Kaeya, it was more like a recovery ritual after a gruelling dialogue or sparring. With her distraction, Jean allowed herself to be kissed. And Kaeya kissed in such a way that not an inch was left unattended.
"If you were wine, I'd always be drunk,"
They allow themselves to enjoy sneaking a few dozen minutes before returning to their duties. Jean always kicks him out reluctantly, and only then does Kaeya leave her office with an unaccustomed blush.
It's not that they were hiding their relationship, it's just that no one was making it public. The city was allowed to speculate on that bit of secrecy. Their feelings began long before Diluc left the Knights, though they were practically invisible. And if Jean had realized that she was unevenly attracted to him from the moment the joint patrol hours became too much, it took Kaeya losing everything to find peace of mind beside her.
Jean had refused to acknowledge her own feelings from the start, realizing that it was too foolish to love the man you fought alongside. Her love for Mondstadt's most charming person seemed like pathetic bigotry. It looked as if she was going to line up among his groupies to take an ignominious last place among them. Worse, it's a stupid reason to lose her friendship with two close people who called themselves brothers to the end. And Jean just buried this seed deep inside himself until the sprouts were illuminated by the warmth that was coming.
Kaeya's realization of her attraction to the sun was aided by an accident. Or rather, aided by Rosaria's somewhat sarcastic response. In reply to another of his joking flirtations (oh, Barbatos, there were clearly more of those things out there), she simply asked a counter-question.
"It's interesting that you don't use your tongue to penetrate the heart of a grand master of acting, as you chase after every skirt or trouser you meet. Or is there another reason for this restriction?"
Even drunk, Kaeya really didn't know how to respond to her. The answer came to him after he was already hungover. Jean was just ... different to him. She deserved other words and other treatment.
When he confessed his feelings to Jean, tears were the last reaction he expected. You know, not exactly the response you get when you're preparing a place of solitude to talk about something that's been tormenting you for the past few months. When Kaeya said: "I love you", Jean was silent. A moment later, tears streamed down her face. It wasn't that Kaeya had no experience in romantic matters, but he really didn't know what to do in such situations. Only later did Jean admit that when Kaeya had called her for a 'serious' talk, she had thought it meant that he would follow his brother and leave the Knights. But here they are, a few years later, together, enjoying every moment together. They still can't stop surprising each other: Kaeya with his antics and Jean with her reactions about it.
And everything was going so well until the winter holidays. Or so it seemed to Kaeya. However, as the preparations for the holidays started, the red whirlwind showed up at the doorstep one too many times. So much so that hiding behind the couch began to bore Kaeya. And instead of the long kisses he had been promised, he had to make do with light touches of the lips, followed by Jean's laughter at the whole situation. At one point, Kaeya even thought it would be nice if he dropped the pot on the windowsill to attract attention. Then he wouldn't have to hide in a different corner of the cabinet every time he listened to his lover discussing where better to hang some garlands in the Order's lobby. He wanted to spend every minute with Jean, touching her frozen knuckles with his fingers not just in their small apartment after sunset. Hiding from Outrider once again, Kaeya He crossed his arms over his chest and rested his head on the back of the couch without even noticing as he frowned himself. It wasn't until hours later, when he was complaining to Diluc for the fourth time in a week, that he noticed. Only then did he realise the absurdity of everything he had said to his brother in a fit of indignation. Oh Barbatos, was he jealous of his girlfriend with Amber?
"Just don't do anything stupid, please," Diluc says, leaning against the bar with a completely calm face. But Kaeya doesn't even look at him, knowing how his brother's eyes dance with laughter at the situation. His wounded childish pride makes him angry and he bites his lip resentfully. The alcohol only brings out the feeling in him more. And Kaeya is determined to stick to one tactic: If you can't win, lead.
And he does it. Every way he can. Considering that Kaeya has always been a tactile person with a tongue lift, he just pushes all of his soft skills to the max. He touches Jean whenever and wherever he can, whether it's a captains' meeting where he casually lets their palms touch, or asking to borrow "Jeanie" for just a few words. Kaeya does all this on purpose in Amber's presence. Just to enjoy her reaction out of the corner of his eye. To be honest, Kaeya hadn't expected such behavior from herself, but no one planned to slow down. As if by magic, every time they met, Amber Jean was greeted by Kaeya's smiling face. As if for the first time, she feels goose bumps and a look of incomprehension on her face when Kaeya "accidentally" touches her for the thousandth time. But everything has its limits. Once it got to the point where Jean literally shut him up, not even paying attention to his annoyed face. And frankly, it all makes Amber think.
The results of all the work don't take long to show up. However, instead of more time for kisses in the middle of the day, Kaeya gets a "chased" score, which completely deprives him of energy recovery while hugging his favorite girl. Simply because that kind of attitude at work is "unprofessional," as Jean would later say. And she was right. He seems to have driven himself into this trap. Although Kaeya would refuse to believe that he brought it on himself.
From that moment on, the red bunny's pursuit is redoubled. Concerned about Kaeya's strangeness, Amber literally follows him around. He has always struck her as strange, frightening. But in the last few days, this "strangeness" has become unbearable. Could it be the influence of the Abyss? For the safety of the Order and Jean, she must find out. And Amber does her best to find out. Doing what she can.
When Amber catches Kaeya's eye as she stalks him, her heartbeat quickens. She smiles habitually, caught red-handed for the tenth time, and waves vigorously at the obviously dissatisfied captain. But Kaeya's smile is as bright as ever.
"Outrider, is something wrong?" Amber feels goose bumps under her skin as he looks at her.
"Tell me honestly, Captain," Kaeya's eyebrows rise at the slight seriousness of his tone, "is Master Jean ill? Is something wrong? You're with her so often, maybe me and the others can help?"
"No need to worry Amber, I'm just making sure Jean doesn't overexert herself as well," his already bright smile grows even wider. Biting her lip Amber thinks briefly before giving an answer that makes Kaeya howl somewhere inside.
"Oh, I see, let's keep an eye on her health then! I'll try to be on the lookout!"
Oh Barbatos, she'll drive Kaeya to her grave.
After three days, the chase ends and the open hunt for Jean begins. And it's not that this is annoying, but rather that it becomes a reason for Kaeya to give up.
"Butie just wants everyone to be happy," Lisa repeats in response to Kaeya's slightly frustrated monologue about the last few days without afternoon kisses. Kaeya looks at her with a slight sadness, expecting to be pitied or comforted.
"Or maybe she's just grinding a grudge against me," Lisa only laughs.
"Let's face it, you deserve it."
"In a way..."
Attempts to enjoy time with his love are shattered by reality. Even on one of Kaeya's carefully planned weekends, a red swirl randomly flies into their dialogue and draws Jean into the conversation for ten minutes. Unconsciously, he frowns again and leans against the counter, which has been set up for work during the winter holidays.
"You're going to burn a hole in her with that look," commented Rosaria, sitting on the other side. A little sad that she's not allowed to smoke here, but still so damn observant. Tasked with selling various Cathedral merchandise, she's just waiting for the day to end. The fact that Kaeya is staying here could even be considered a blessing from Barbatos... or is it Boreas? There is not that it would bother Rosaria at this minute.
"Did you get the ring from Liyue yet?" the question makes him stop staring at Amber and he blinks, turning back to Rosaria. The look of confusion on his face.
"I should have it by now, but I think my order is late," Rosaria just shakes her head. How much she wants to smoke.
"I think your... brother," he gives her a hard look, "Diluc has something for you in that case."
When Kaeya had asked him to be the best man, just as a joke, Diluc had agreed without thinking. He had not even looked up at his drunken brother. And they both knew that Ragnvidr was serious. Years later, Kaeya repeated the request, telling Jean of his intention to propose. And Diluc's reply was the same. After a meeting with Rosaria, Kaeya comes to his tavern three days later. When Diluc offers him a box instead of words, Kaeya is a little confused. Wiping away a non-existent tear, Kaeya regrets that his heart is already taken. When Diluс hears all this with a terribly sour face, he is not joking.
"There is one of my mother's favourite rings... well that's what Adelinda told me. And if I hear you say no, I'll be sure to tell her what you said. Adelinda will be very upset."
Kaeya has no desire to respond with sarcasm or even humour. He carefully accepts the ring box. The framing pattern will look great on Jean's finger. When he raises his eyes to Diluc, his voice can only say "Thank you".
On the appointed day, Kaeya does not think of Amber at all. Today is a day he's planned down to the hour and minute. Every step for today is prepared in advance. He is nervous and thinks of nothing else. A bouquet of Cecilia and a few Windwheel Aster in his hands, his mind is in a state of mild panic and confusion. Everything must go according to plan.
Repeating her greeting, Amber looks at the captain with equal curiosity, catching his attention. Today, on the last and most important day of the Winter Festival, she has volunteered to patrol the streets. And during the breaks, when she meets familiar faces, Amber still spreads her joy.
"By the way, is Master Jean feeling better? This is a bouquet for her, isn't it?" Kaeya laughs a little nervously and replies with her own congratulations.
"You're right, young detective. I'll visit her tonight."
The Outrider's eyes light up with a friendly glow. Before Amber can ask him to congratulate Jean, the somebody Knight calls to her. Once more she wishes him a happy celebration and disappears into the crowd. And for some reason, Kaeya becomes surprisingly calm. Amber's devotion to people has always been a bright light. Even with her restlessness and endless desire to help. Just a caring little girl. How could he be jealous of a little light in his sunshine. It seemed that Kaeya should discuss this with someone later. For now, he has other plans for this evening. And with that thought he hurries back to the house.
Patrolling the roofs is great fun. Only the light snow on the shingles makes it a little difficult to move around, but Amber likes it. Below her is the bright, cheerful city she loves, the one her grandfather loved so much. She doesn't look like a Wizard or an Archon, but smiling at people's windows during her late patrols amuses Amber too.
The familiar figures in one window make her stop and wave. But at first Amber thinks she's dreaming, because the familiar image is so different from the truth. And something pulls her to look out the window again. Cautiously. And Amber takes that step.
It is unusual to see Kaeya holding the ring out to a confused Jean. Aware of the awkwardness, Amber presses her hands to her mouth, afraid to ruin the moment. A warmth rises in her for such familiar people. A slight nod of Jean's head serves as a positive response. Before she can recover from the shock, she touches his head gently and pulls him in for a long kiss. The fireworks begin as Amber comes down from the roof, still a little embarrassed but keeping warm inside.
After her shift, Amber sees children with their parents rushing to watch the fireworks. At least she met Bennett, Razor and Sucrose on the way. Everyone around her seemed happy, but not as happy as Kaeya and Jean. The smile stays on her lips long enough. That's why Kaeya takes such good care of Jean. It was all on the surface. And it wasn't because she was overworked (although she was a bit). A blush appeared on her cheeks and Sucrose asked if she was cold. Amber shook her head in the negative, still feeling a rush of warmth. It's a little sad that she can't share such vivid emotions yet.
But if it's to be her private secret, she'll keep it that way.