Extending the Olive Branch - Kaeya x Reader

Think About It

"Thank you," you said back politely.

"I just wanted to let you know that you have a visitor out front," Noelle continued shyly, the pink on her cheeks turning to a deep red, "It's the traveler." You gasped when you realized why he was there. With all the commotion around your vision, you had nearly forgotten. You quickly unlinked arms with Mona and took off back towards your room.

"Be right back!" you told them as you ran down the hall. You quickly entered your room and pounced on your still-unpacked bag from Dragonspine. You searched quickly through it before pulling out the letter you had written. Then you quickly ran to your desk and grabbed a blank sheet of paper. You scrawled a quick story of how you got your vision on it, then read it back to yourself.

"Mom:

Writing this letter quickly but I got my vision! One of my fellow knights was about to be crushed by a huge Lawachurl and it just happened! Actually, it was the Captain I told you about that I don't get along with.Will include more details in next letter. Love you so much!

-Y/N"

"Good enough for now," you muttered and placed the sheet at the back of the rest of your letter before folding everything and shoving it into an envelope, sealing it and writing "Mom" on the front. Satisfied, you dashed out of the room and back to where you had left Mona and Noelle. You said goodbye to the maid and exited the building into the cold night, where you saw Aether sitting on the stoop waiting for you with Paimon floating gently next to him.

"Hey, Aether! Hey Paimon!" you said cheerily as you approached. Aether stood up, smiling widely as you wrapped him in a tight hug.

Mona looked on as you held each other for just a second longer than most would. She noticed how Aether closed his eyes and nestled into your hair. Her eyes widened slightly and her jaw dropped for a second, but she snapped her mouth shut and neutralized her expression when you released each other.

"Sorry you had to wait out here in the cold for me. It's so stupid men aren't even allowed in the female dorms." Aether shook his head.

"Don't worry about it," he told you casually, "I've experienced way worse conditions on my travels." You chuckled a bit as he gazed at you, smiling gently.

"Hey Mona!" Paimon interrupted, shooting Aether a look, "Could you read Paimon's future from the stars over there?" She pointed to the sky off to the side.

"Well that's not really how it works-" Mona started, confused.

"Well Paimon believes in you, let's go!" the fairy responded quickly and started to push Mona away from you and Aether. You giggled, not understanding what was going on.

"How was your job?" he asked, grabbing your shoulder briefly then sliding his hand down your arm to hold your hand and squeeze it gently.

"It was... fine," you replied, thinking about your vision but then squeezing his hand back and perking up a bit, "Actually it was pretty lucrative..." You extended the hand holding the letter out to him, showing off your wristwatch-style vision. His eyes widened in surprise and a huge smile curled upon his face.

"You got your vision!" he exclaimed, wrapping you in his arms again, this time picking you up and spinning you around. You giggled as you hugged him back. When he set you down, he took your hand in his to examine the glass-like orb.

"I'm so proud of you," he uttered, smiling from ear to ear, "I knew you would get one. I was sure of it." You smiled bashfully.

"Thank you," you replied genuinely. Aether took a deep breath and held your hand in both of his.

"So, this is actually great because, well, I was gonna ask you before but-I mean, I was wondering if maybe you might possibly..." he stuttered, starting to turn red. You tilted your head to look at him and smiled gently. He glanced back at Paimon who was watching him intently from behind a lamppost with Mona.

"Okay," he stated, taking another deep breath, "I was wondering if you wanted to come on my travels with me." Your eyes widened.

"You don't have to answer now," he continued quickly, "I'm going to be here for a few more days then run back to Khaenri'ah for a bit to do some exploring and-" he took the letter from your hand, "deliver your letter, but I'll be back in a couple weeks, so you can think about it and let me know what you think? You just always wrote to me about how you wanted to travel and I thought... y'know, why not... with me?" He finished his nervous rant and looked at you hopefully. You were shocked. You didn't know what to say.

"Wow," you said, stunned, "Yeah, I will definitely think about it." Aether smiled and squeezed your hand again.

"Awesome," he replied, before adding, "A-and, I mean, if you wanted to just come for a little bit and see how you like it before fully committing, I-I'm fine with that too. Whatever you want." He paused again. Your mind was spinning.

Leave Mondstadt? Leave the Knights of Favonius? You had worked so hard to make a name for yourself. Yet, that feeling of failure and inadequacy crept in, just as it did that night on the mountain. Maybe...

"I know it's a lot, but just... think about it, okay?" You pulled yourself back to life and smiled.

"Okay," you replied quietly, nodding, "I will."