chapter 12 - a coward

If anyone asked me what my greatest talent is, I wouldn't mention my ability to learn anything, my dendro powers or cooking and crafting skills. No, I would confidently say that my greatest talent is running away.

I got used to it through the years. Once a difficult situation happened during my travels, I disappeared in a second, leaving no traces behind me. I probably learned this from my mom. She knew how to run away and hide after a disaster she caused.

And this is how I solve my problems. I'm just running away and hiding as long as I have to.

After my embarrassing confession to Diluc, and my affair with Kaeya, I decided to avoid the public eye. I stayed in Mondstadt, but I found hiding places. Only Klee knew where I was and I made her promise that she can only share my location with either Albedo or Kaeya. And they can judge when anyone needs me if my presence is really necessary or not.

After my talk with Kaeya, our relationship changed. Two weeks passed since that night, but we acted like nothing happened. I feel like we got closer. But of course, I tried to keep a distance from him. I didn't want to hurt his feelings more and we had a lot to process.

My current hiding place was at Stormterror's Lair. I was camping out there, doing some research the Akademiya commissioned me with. It was a good excuse to stay away from people - especially from Diluc.

I was checking the devices I placed around, when I saw a tall figure approaching me.

"Hello, Kaeya" I greated him, not taking my eyes off the device, noting down the numbers on it.

"Hello, Tessa. How's work going?" He asked it like it was just an alibi for me to hide. Well, yes, it was, but I still took my job seriously. Kind of.

"Great. I don't know who came up with the great idea to monitor the soil around here, like it's fucking the same as any other part in Mondstadt. Probably some sage thought that Dvalin's piss has some magical powers" I shook my head.

"Tessa, Tessa. You are not talking like a lady right now. And it's not like you to be so bitter and raw" he smirked.

I sighed and stood up.

"Sorry" I bit my lip "I miss my house, and I swear that this anxiety is making me crazy. I just want to erase some things like they never happened"

"And what's your regret?" he folded his arms. He was playing with me.

I rolled my eyes.

"Nothing" I closed my notebook "What do I owe the pleasure of your company?"

"Oh... I'm just checking on you. Is that a problem?" That smirk appeared on his face again.

"You do as you please" I started walking back to my camp. I heard Kaeya's footsteps following me.

"Diluc asked about you" I stopped and tensed.

What?

I didn't turn around. I didn't want him to see the face I was making.

"Yeah?" I simply asked, still frozen in place.

"He said he wants to talk to you about something but can't find you anywhere. He asked me if I know where you are"

I sighed. "And did you tell him?"

"No" he answered.

"Good" I nodded and started walking towards the camp again. My legs felt like they were slimes, as the anxiety washed over me. What the hell he wants? Stabbing more daggers into my heart? He feels pity for me? Probably. He was always a big softie inside.

I reached my camp, Kaeya was still behind me. I sat on the ground, going through my notes. He sat next to me, resting his arms on his knees. He was staring at my face with an amused smile.

"What?" I looked up at him.

"Oh, nothing, really" he still had that annoying smile on his face.

"Stop staring at me" I mumbled under my breath, turning back to my notebook.

"Why don't you talk to him?" he asked eventually. "Maybe you would get what you want"

"Oh, really?" I snorted.

"You're a coward, Tessa. A sweet and pretty one, but still a coward. And you hurt yourself constantly because of that. And I don't want to see you hurt" he touched my chin with his warm fingers and turned my face to look at him. Stupid tears already started welling up in my eyes.

I couldn't move. I just sat there, staring into his icy blue eye.

"Be brave for once, Tessa" his eye softened. "Weinlesefest is coming up, so does your birthday" he let go of my chin. "Come back and stop caring so much about what other people think"

He stood up and offered me his hand.

"I- I can't leave my work here"

He rolled his eye.

"You already finished that. Come nicely before I decide to drag you back" he gave me that smirk again.

Stupid Kaeya.

I sighed an accepted his hand.

"Good girl~"

"Why did you have to say this in this tone?" I complained.

"What tone?"

I just rolled my eyes again. He knew what he was doing. But I let him. The truth is, I felt extremely guilty. I knew about his feelings towards me, yet we acted like good buddies. He was probably hurting just as much as I did.

But he was brave while I wasn't. He was right, I am a coward. A coward who can't face her problems. He was brave. He faced me. He had no mask on and did what his heart desired. He wanted to remain my friend, that was his wish. And he tried to help me.

While I felt like a total asshole. But I didn't want to lose him.

Damn it, Tessa. Just go back to Sumeru. Or Inazuma. Or Fontaine. You don't need to deal with issues like this there.

No. I can't run away over and over again.

We returned back to the city, chatting on the way. But once we reached the city bridge, I wasn't so sure of myself anymore.

I stopped walking, I glanced at the city walls.

"Kaeya, I can't do it" I admitted.

"Get yourself together, scaredy-cat" he smirked. "You don't want me to drag you back forcefully, or do you?"

He winked at me, I let out a big sigh.

I followed him, tried to hide behind his back.

Once we passed the main square, we ran into Jean and Lisa.

Of course.

"Oh, hello Tessa and Kaeya" they greeted us.

Lisa turned to me. "Where have you been? We were worried about you"

"I got a job from the Akademiya" I shrugged. "It was an urgent matter"

"I see" she had a weird smile on her lips while she looked at us.

"And what are you two doing together?" she asked teasingly.

Bloody hell.

"We just met at the city gates" Kaeya came to my rescue. I was indescribably thankful for that. "Don't get the wrong idea, Miss Lisa" he smirked.

"Oh, Tessa" interrupted Jean. "Master Diluc asked about you. He said he wants to discuss something with you urgently."

Him again.

"Thanks" I gave Jean a closed eye smile "I will contact him" I won't.

"We have to go now" said Jean, looking at Lisa. "See you later"

Once they left, Kaeya started laughing.

"What?"

"Oh, nothing" he was clearly amused. "Next time, choose a better location for your affairs than your apartment"

I hit his arm, but he didn't stop laughing.

"Ah, what a headache" I sighed.

"Don't worry. The rumors will stop eventually"

"I hope"

"It would be the shame if we have to skip your birthday party just because you are too scared to show up" he added.

"Who said I want a birthday party?" I raised an eyebrow.

"It doesn't matter what you want" he smirked. "There's no way we forget about your birthday"

A light blush appeared on my cheeks. "That's... kind, I guess"

"Sooo, go home, finish that very important research and then you can get loose next week. The Weinlesefest is coming up too, don't forget that"

"Oh right" I nodded.

"Promise me you won't run away and hide" he raised his pinky finger.

I lightly smiled and intertwined my pinky with his. "I promise"

And I decided I mean it.

—-Author's note

Sooooo I am sorry for the little break, life was a little too much and my brain was too drained to  write anything.

This chapter is a little weird, I am sorry, I just started writing and this is what I came up with. Also, I know where this is going, but I just want to connect the chapters somehow.

Aaaand I really wanted to include Weinlesefest in this story, I loved the event sooo much! My first idea was a flashback but I just checked the story timeline and we are at the end of September now so basically it fits, yaaay.

See you next timeEcco