[ a new word! he'll have to look it up, next time he's inside. also, rude of his mom to tell him he'd be wasted as a doctor, in kaeya's esteemed opinion he would be a GREAT doctor, and baby kaeya knows what he's talking about.
he smiles, and lifts his knee a little higher for the bandaid applying. ]
[ He's such a warm, excited child, possessing that same kind of friendliness that the present-day Kaeya shares. But there is something else, something...far more innocent, that goes beyond childhood. Perhaps he's looking too deeply into it. He doesn't know Kaeya well, after all.
But even so, he can't help but wonder if he has glimpsed something that his colleague would rather him not have.
Shaking off the thought, he presses the bandage to Kaeya's knee, securing it in place. ]
There, it's all taken care of. It should heal up nicely in a day or so with the medicine I gave you.
[ And Kaeya can go back to playing, like there were never scrapes to begin with. ]
[ he doesn't look too happy about that. the medicine was definitely not as bad as most medicines are, but still!! no kid enjoys taking their medicine. ]
Do I -
[ kaeya suddenly freezes, his eye snapping wide, staring at something over albedo's shoulder - something high on the hill that shoulders in the dawn winery. a man, wrapped fully in a dark cloak, tall and slim, holds out a brown-skinned hand. kaeya swallows dryly, and the clouds overhead thicken, growing dark and heavy, thunder rolling in the distance. ]
[ In an instant, the atmosphere changes, and Kaeya's attention shifts away from him fully. It's like he may as well not even be there, for how immediately the young man's attention is wrested away. An ill, foreboding feeling clings around them, and though it may not be his dream, he can feel it, too. It makes his stomach churn.
He turns to follow Kaeya's gaze, even though it feels intrusive to do so.
This man...who could he be? Someone who must mean a great deal to Kaeya, for him to show up in this dream, but Albedo has never seen anyone who resembles him in Mondstadt, from what he can make out of his frame and features. ]
Let's get you inside, Kaeya.
[ He isn't sure why, but he gets the impression...that he should keep Kaeya away from this person. ]
[ he sounds uncertain, torn. kaeya knows full well who that man on the hill is, and even as he hesitates, the man's deep voice carries down to them, broken up by the rising winds.
-- only hope -- forgive -- kaeya..
his eye flickers back to albedo's face, wide and shining and uncertain, and he slides off of the barrel and onto his feet again. ]
I should.. I should go see him..
[ but he doesn't want to, as evidenced by the way he shrinks behind albedo's legs, both hands holding to his long coat. he doesn't want to go, he doesn't want to leave this place, he doesn't want to leave diluc and master crepus, he doesn't want to be anyone's last hope. thunder rumbles again, the sky splitting open above them, rain pounding brutally down. ]
[ He says he should go see him, and who is Albedo to say otherwise? He is a stranger here. He was not even in Mondstadt when Kaeya and Diluc were children. For all accounts and purposes, he is trespassing upon this dream.
But neither can he abandon someone so young to an uncertain fate. The way Kaeya says that, it's clear this isn't something he wants. It sounds more like a duty, a...responsibility, but how much responsibility does he bear, as young as he is?
In the back of his mind, he is reminded of his master, tasking him with something that seemed all but impossible, before vanishing with only a letter to guide him.
His mouth presses into a thin line, before he turns and abruptly scoops Kaeya into his arms. ]
[ kaeya is tense, his little knuckles white with the force with which he grasps at albedo's coat, his eye trained entirely upon the tall figure in the distance, the hand, still extended. he knew in his heart that his father would be back someday, but he didn't think it would be so soon, he isn't ready, he isn't ready to leave, he's happy here..
but mr. albedo makes the decision for him, sweeping him right up off of his feet, and kaeya doesn't fight him, though he still watches the figure as he's carried away, guilt wracking his heart. he should do what's expected of him, shouldn't he? he should do what his father wants. that's what a good son would do.
instead he squeezes his eye shut and buries his face against albedo's shoulder, hands clutching in his collar. if he ignores it, maybe it'll just go away, maybe he won't need to worry about it. though kaeya's eyes are closed, he doesn't see the figure as it melts away into the distance, though the storm continues, lightning flashing, thunder rumbling loud. he doesn't speak. ]
[ Perhaps it was a bit presumptuous of him, to pick Kaeya up and carry him away from that man without even a bit of context as to what he was doing here, but he simply couldn't stand by and watch someone so young stricken with such abject fear and uncertainty. Whatever that man brings to Kaeya's mind, it isn't anything good. Albedo is a Knight. He has a duty to protect Mondstadt's people.
Even in their dreams.
With his hand on Kaeya's back, he pats the boy gently as they approach the manor, until he can carry him through the front door. It shuts behind them with a definitive snap, and Albedo approaches one of the nearby sofas to lower Kaeya onto. ]
[ kaeya, thankfully, is too young to understand the implications of presumptuousness. things are much simpler at this age. all kaeya knows is that he was frightened, and now that threat has been taken away.. but he feels guilty, too, a cold feeling clawing at his belly. ]
I don't know if I..
[ he starts, then stops, swallowing thickly. no, he shouldn't reveal any more. even this young, kaeya has secrets, he knows he's not allowed to talk about his father, or about where he came from, so he's quick to press his lips together, looking away. ]
[ Albedo is a curious thing, and the question to know who that was burns inside of him. Still, he can't ask this child - won't ask him. It's not in his nature to pry, and Kaeya is already distressed enough. Perhaps another time, once they are returned to their usual selves, if Kaeya even remembers this. If not, then perhaps Albedo simply was not meant to know.
He kneels down on one knee before Kaeya, peering at him with gentle eyes. ]
I'm glad I was able to help. Should you ever need my assistance, you need only ask for it. Understood?
[ Perhaps the present-day Kaeya won't remember this either, but Albedo means it. If he can help...he would like to. He hopes Kaeya will at least remember in his heart. ]
[ kaeya is distracted, peering over his shoulder and out the window, toward the tall hill, but he can't make out a shape there, can't tell whether or not the man is lingering. when lightning flashes, he can see a little more clearly, but not clearly enough to tell for sure. rain pounds hard against the glass panes, thunder rattles the windows in their frames.
but then albedo is there, kneeling in front of him, looking at him with such kind eyes, and he's feeling a little better. maybe it's the fact that the real kaeya knows this man, knows he's trustworthy, but.. this kaeya trusts him, too. they've only just met, but albedo's presence puts him at ease. his eyes are so warm. ]
.. okay.
[ he nods, and takes a deep breath through his nose. time to be tough again. time to be strong. conceal, don't feel!! ]
[ Put on a show, make one wrong move and everyone will know... :(
But Albedo also knows that putting on a brave face is often the best way to face what you fear. If it helps Kaeya feel strong and capable to offer him help, then far be it from him to refuse. ]
Of course. I'm sure there's plenty you could help me with. You said you wanted to be a knight someday, didn't you?
[ Then perhaps he could help Albedo in the field sometime. He's often in need of an assistant -
And for a moment, he's caught up enough in the dream that he nearly forgets that that's all it is - a dream. Will the real Kaeya even remember this when they wake? ]
[ that certainly remains to be seen, doesn't it? kaeya will remember, but whether or not he will bring it up is the question. if albedo says nothing, kaeya is sure to say nothing, as well.
too bad they'll be sucked into another dream soon enough.. ]
Yeah! As soon as I can.
[ he nods emphatically, a warm smile beginning to spread across his face again. behind him, the rain begins to lessen, the rolling thunder growing more distant. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Alee-bee-ate..
[ a new word! he'll have to look it up, next time he's inside. also, rude of his mom to tell him he'd be wasted as a doctor, in kaeya's esteemed opinion he would be a GREAT doctor, and baby kaeya knows what he's talking about.
he smiles, and lifts his knee a little higher for the bandaid applying. ]
Thanks, Mr. Albedo.
no subject
But even so, he can't help but wonder if he has glimpsed something that his colleague would rather him not have.
Shaking off the thought, he presses the bandage to Kaeya's knee, securing it in place. ]
There, it's all taken care of. It should heal up nicely in a day or so with the medicine I gave you.
[ And Kaeya can go back to playing, like there were never scrapes to begin with. ]
no subject
[ he doesn't look too happy about that. the medicine was definitely not as bad as most medicines are, but still!! no kid enjoys taking their medicine. ]
Do I -
[ kaeya suddenly freezes, his eye snapping wide, staring at something over albedo's shoulder - something high on the hill that shoulders in the dawn winery. a man, wrapped fully in a dark cloak, tall and slim, holds out a brown-skinned hand. kaeya swallows dryly, and the clouds overhead thicken, growing dark and heavy, thunder rolling in the distance. ]
no subject
He turns to follow Kaeya's gaze, even though it feels intrusive to do so.
This man...who could he be? Someone who must mean a great deal to Kaeya, for him to show up in this dream, but Albedo has never seen anyone who resembles him in Mondstadt, from what he can make out of his frame and features. ]
Let's get you inside, Kaeya.
[ He isn't sure why, but he gets the impression...that he should keep Kaeya away from this person. ]
no subject
[ he sounds uncertain, torn. kaeya knows full well who that man on the hill is, and even as he hesitates, the man's deep voice carries down to them, broken up by the rising winds.
-- only hope -- forgive -- kaeya..
his eye flickers back to albedo's face, wide and shining and uncertain, and he slides off of the barrel and onto his feet again. ]
I should.. I should go see him..
[ but he doesn't want to, as evidenced by the way he shrinks behind albedo's legs, both hands holding to his long coat. he doesn't want to go, he doesn't want to leave this place, he doesn't want to leave diluc and master crepus, he doesn't want to be anyone's last hope. thunder rumbles again, the sky splitting open above them, rain pounding brutally down. ]
no subject
But neither can he abandon someone so young to an uncertain fate. The way Kaeya says that, it's clear this isn't something he wants. It sounds more like a duty, a...responsibility, but how much responsibility does he bear, as young as he is?
In the back of his mind, he is reminded of his master, tasking him with something that seemed all but impossible, before vanishing with only a letter to guide him.
His mouth presses into a thin line, before he turns and abruptly scoops Kaeya into his arms. ]
No. He should be the one to come see you.
[ He starts towards the manor, resolute. ]
no subject
but mr. albedo makes the decision for him, sweeping him right up off of his feet, and kaeya doesn't fight him, though he still watches the figure as he's carried away, guilt wracking his heart. he should do what's expected of him, shouldn't he? he should do what his father wants. that's what a good son would do.
instead he squeezes his eye shut and buries his face against albedo's shoulder, hands clutching in his collar. if he ignores it, maybe it'll just go away, maybe he won't need to worry about it. though kaeya's eyes are closed, he doesn't see the figure as it melts away into the distance, though the storm continues, lightning flashing, thunder rumbling loud. he doesn't speak. ]
no subject
Even in their dreams.
With his hand on Kaeya's back, he pats the boy gently as they approach the manor, until he can carry him through the front door. It shuts behind them with a definitive snap, and Albedo approaches one of the nearby sofas to lower Kaeya onto. ]
There's no storm in here. We'll keep you safe.
[ He won't need to go back out there. ]
no subject
I don't know if I..
[ he starts, then stops, swallowing thickly. no, he shouldn't reveal any more. even this young, kaeya has secrets, he knows he's not allowed to talk about his father, or about where he came from, so he's quick to press his lips together, looking away. ]
.. thanks, Mr. Albedo.
[ he's really very nice, isn't he? ]
no subject
He kneels down on one knee before Kaeya, peering at him with gentle eyes. ]
I'm glad I was able to help. Should you ever need my assistance, you need only ask for it. Understood?
[ Perhaps the present-day Kaeya won't remember this either, but Albedo means it. If he can help...he would like to. He hopes Kaeya will at least remember in his heart. ]
no subject
but then albedo is there, kneeling in front of him, looking at him with such kind eyes, and he's feeling a little better. maybe it's the fact that the real kaeya knows this man, knows he's trustworthy, but.. this kaeya trusts him, too. they've only just met, but albedo's presence puts him at ease. his eyes are so warm. ]
.. okay.
[ he nods, and takes a deep breath through his nose. time to be tough again. time to be strong. conceal, don't feel!! ]
I want to help you too, Mr. Albedo.
no subject
But Albedo also knows that putting on a brave face is often the best way to face what you fear. If it helps Kaeya feel strong and capable to offer him help, then far be it from him to refuse. ]
Of course. I'm sure there's plenty you could help me with. You said you wanted to be a knight someday, didn't you?
[ Then perhaps he could help Albedo in the field sometime. He's often in need of an assistant -
And for a moment, he's caught up enough in the dream that he nearly forgets that that's all it is - a dream. Will the real Kaeya even remember this when they wake? ]
no subject
too bad they'll be sucked into another dream soon enough.. ]
Yeah! As soon as I can.
[ he nods emphatically, a warm smile beginning to spread across his face again. behind him, the rain begins to lessen, the rolling thunder growing more distant. ]
I should probably go find Diluc, soon..
no subject
Well, that's a question for another time. Straightening up, he takes a step back. ]
Yes, better to make sure he's safe as well. I can lend you a hand.
[ Except no sooner does he say this than does the dream begin to dissolve from around him. Is he waking up? Well, then.
At least it reached a satisfying conclusion. ]