THIRTY SIX
A FEW KNIGHTS began to wonder why the Captain of the Reconnaissance Company frequented the headquarters more often than usual. It should've been obvious by the faces they made upon crossing shadows with her, but Eula Lawrence could care less.
In a world that hated her, she was used to it. But it would not deter her from walking through their faces to get to the people who waited for her on the other side.
"I remember seeing Diluc outside when I escorted you," Eula recounted. "What was that about?"
(Y/n) leaned back against her chair. "I suppose he was out for a breath of fresh air. And when I approached him he was more or less confused but, that was to be expected," She recalled.
The two were on each opposite side of the large desk in the archive, spending their break gossiping about the previous night.
Eula's brows knitted into a frown. "I admit, it's a bit strange Kaeya of all people would want to set the two of you up..." She said. "Goodness knows what's on that mind of his."
The young woman thought about telling her the truth, but by then, the conversation had changed course.
"Anywho, how was it?" She seemed rather excited to talk. "Did Diluc keep you in a corner with him isolated from everyone else like we predicted?"
(Y/n) felt her lips tug at the ends alongside a light blush forming on her cheeks. "Funny you'd think that," She moved a few strands of hair behind her ear. "We actually danced together a majority of the night."
Eula stared at her with wide eyes. "Diluc doesn't like to dance. How'd you get him to do that?"
(Y/n) leaned the side of her head in the palm of her hand. "I don't think there's many differences between the aristocracy in Mondstadt and in Fontaine. Having told him, I guess he just entertained the idea," She smiled.
A distant bell then rung through the city.
"Evening already?" Eula was astonished time had passed by rather quickly without warning. "I can't believe this."
The Spindrift Knight stood from her seat. "Duty calls," She said. "Tomorrow same time as usual?"
(Y/n) nodded her head. "Take care!" She yelled softly after Eula. And then, she was left to her own accord.
But it was only about twenty minutes into a quiet solitude before footsteps could be heard coming down the stairs.
"Knock, knock!" Paimon's voice rang throughout the archive. "It's us! Aether and Paimon!"
(Y/n)'s eyes flickered from the papers on her desk towards the corner. And then, her face lit up.
"Hey, you two," She greeted them as their figures came into view. "It's been a while."
Aether gave her a slight wave. "It has been," He said.
"What brings you into the dusty, old archive today?" (Y/n) asked.
Paimon then hovered over her head. "Well, we'll be heading over to Liyue for a few days," She explained. "So, we wanted to ask you if there's anything you wanted us to take or bring back?"
(Y/n) glanced around the room momentarily before a thought popped into her head. "No, but I do have something to ask," She said. "Though, its not about Liyue."
Paimon spoke up. "What is it?"
The woman tapped her fingers against the desk in worry. "...Do you two know what exactly Diluc holds against Kaeya?" She asked. Then she quickly followed up with, "I'm asking because it seems I find myself on the verge of being caught in the in-between."
Paimon glanced over at the blond, who in turn shook his head. "We actually don't know..." She turned her attention towards (Y/n). "Sorry."
(Y/n) let out a small sigh. "That's okay. It's nothing detrimental to know."
"You said you were going to Liyue, right?" She then asked.
The two nodded their heads.
(Y/n) seemed to relax. "I'm not sure if it's okay for me to ask this of you, but can you send a few words of mine to Zhongli? I want him to know I'm doing well."
"Why not write him a letter?" Paimon suggested. "I'm sure he'd like that. Not to mention rereading it if he wants to."
"...You two wouldn't mind waiting for a bit?" (Y/n) asked.
Aether took the set where Eula previously sat. "Not at all," He said with a smile.
Paimon nodded her head in agreement. "In the meantime, we can use this time to catch up!"
❦
It was bad enough nearly the entirety of the upperclassmen had assumed Diluc was interested in someone. Though, he couldn't complain for being left alone by their daughters.
In all truth, he was conflicted.
On one hand, he couldn't deny the existing feelings. But on the other, it seemed a bit too sudden for his own liking. Though, he supposed it was just one of the many things in one's natural life you couldn't control.
It was always relieving to see her walk in through the tavern doors past evening after a long day. She'd strike up a conversation with him and the rest was thrown into the background. On the contrary, Diluc couldn't say the same for his adoptive brother.
"Hey, princess." It was the nickname he had given her since comfortable with the truth of her lineage. "Evening going well, I presume?"
(Y/n) shook her head at the name alongside a smile. "You already know," She said. "Try switching places with me and maybe you'll end up in dust by the end of the day too."
Kaeya chuckled in response. He took the seat next to her, his body facing her. "Word has it there was a commotion in the library earlier. Apparently Reise's done it again and got his heart broken by a woman from up North."
(Y/n) didn't really care for gossip, but she chose to entertain the man anyways. "Well, you know what they say," She began. "When a heart breaks, it doesn't break even."
Kaeya leaned against the counter, his arms crossed over the other with his head resting above them like a little boy listening to someone he likes. "Where'd you hear that from?" He asked, his attention fixed onto her face.
It may have not been obvious to anyone else, but Diluc could see as clear as day his brother was smitten with her. There were no other words to describe it.
He remembered how distraught (Y/n) became that night upon fining out Kaeya wouldn't be there. He didn't think there could ever be a face more betrayed than hers. It looked as if that fact alone ruined her entire evening.
Just thinking about it made his brows furrow subconsciously.
"We're a lot closer than you think." Kaeya's voice rang in his head as he referenced himself and (Y/n). "There are things you wouldn't know, of course."
Finally, something in him snapped.
Turning to look at Charles, his help during the hours, his lips parted to speak. "I'll be taking my leave early today," He said without another word to explain himself.
"..." (Y/n)'s eyesight followed the redhead as he left the tavern. It was unusual of him, so she began to think something was wrong.
All the while Kaeya merely stared at his back, wondering if lately he'd been getting under his skin more than usual by presence alone. Not that it really mattered though, seeing how their relationship was as tarnished as ever.
Or perhaps... his executed plan had exceeded in lengths he didn't think it would.
THIRTY SIX