XI

You held the glowing bow with a sense of awe, not even daring to wrap your fingers around the beautifully carved material. It was white with intricate carvings embedded deep that looked vaguely like swirls and small birds. Lavender highlights shone with a gentle light and specks of gold twirled within them. The string was taunt and new, ready to be broken in. Near the top it had a circular addition with a symbol you’ve never seen before.

Ariel had finally decided that you had become masterful enough to have your own custom bow. He made it himself, with materials from who knows where and gifted it to you this morning after a hearty breakfast of sausage and Teyat Fried Eggs. You simply sat there in shock, trying not to let the waterworks go like you had with Diluc when he gifted you the Kamera.

“Are you going to sit there and stare at it, or will you go on your commissions and test it out?”

“That’s why you got up so early? So you could give me this and see it tested out?” He merely nodded. You shook your head, gazing down at the bow, practically entranced by it. “I almost don’t want to.”

“Well you’re going to.” He scoffed, standing up and taking both of your plates to the sink. “I didn’t make that for you just so you could gawk at it.”

“I know, I know,” you furrowed your brows. “But what is this symbol for? I’ve never seen it before.”

“From the little I know of Genshin, each character has their own ‘constellation’ yes?” You nodded confused. “The symbols of the constellations are different for each character because it is a mark embedded in their souls. That bard you met not too long ago has the constellation of a young boy because whatever influenced that symbol, most likely an old friend- I don’t remember the story all too much- or a lover, had such a profound impact on his life that the experience marked itself on his soul. Other times, like that short, green haired, angry boy with the raspy voice-”

“Xiao?”

“Yes him, they have a constellation representative of who or what they are, hence why his is a bird. This symbol is your soul mark, I just looked at your soul and copied down the largest mark, which is that one.”

You followed him as he paced, a habit he had when he was explaining things and needed to think. “So I can have more than one mark on my soul?”

“Yes but the biggest one is most indicative of who you are, what you’ve experienced, and so on and so forth.”

“Ah.” You traced your finger over the Ouroboros, a symbol of destruction and recreation. Fitting given that you had been reincarnated and that your death had been the most impactful experience to you, quite literally taking you to another universe. The symbol was gorgeous, as wonderfully carved as the swirls and birds. “And the birds?”

Ariel just waved his hand. “Another one of your smaller soul marks, a mark of the longing for freedom. I figured it would be a nice reminder of your new found life and independence in this world.”

“Thank you.” You held your hand out to him, which he grasped tightly. “It’s amazing.”

“I’m glad you like it so much.” He rubbed his thumb over your knuckles, smiling at you so softly it made your stomach turn. “Now let's go test it out.”

The two if you rushed to the Adventurer’s Guild with you picking up your commissions from Kathryne and Ariel bugging you to hurry up so he could see his work in action.

You went all over the country, not even complaining about the slight burn in your legs, taking out hilichurl camps swift and easy. The bow fit right in your hands as if it had always belonged there and the matching white, purple, and gold quiver that Ariel had given you as you both were rushing out the door, was fit snugly on your back, perfectly made for your proportions.

The golden Ouroboros symbol gleamed in the sun proudly, like it was telling every living creature that you had conquered death itself with the golden specks floating through the lavender looking like trapped suns.

After this, you didn’t think you could go back to any other bow, none would be the same. The sword on your waist suddenly felt heavy and awkward. It was like what you’ve been using for the past year was now the worst weapon you’d ever held. If you had too, you didn’t know if you could use it in comparison to your new bow, but you’d wait until Kaeya thought you were ready.

-

“Ah.” You mumbled. “I wasn’t expecting this.” In your hands was a long, slim, single-bladed sword with a hilt carved like a wing. It was formed of a shining white steel with the bladed side being a semi translucent blue, not dissimilar to the Aquila Favonia but less jagged.

The grip was wrapped in simple fabric but was comfortable and stable. Just like the bow it had felt right in your hand and you wondered vaguely how everyone knew what would be just right for you.

“Despite only training for a year, you’ve exceeded my expectations and done well.” Kaeya smiled down at you, something fond in his deep blue eye. “Besides, I couldn’t have you using that basic training sword for the rest of your days, especially not with Stormterror.”

“I don’t know what to say.” You swung the sword experimentally, grinning at its smooth cuts through the air.

“How about a spar?”

“Yeah?” Your grin only brightened and Kaeya chuckled in response ruffling your hair, much to your annoyance.

“Yeah.” He unsheathed his own sword, getting into a perfect stance befitting a great swordsman.

You matched him and for the next few hours the clashing of swords could be all that’s heard through the training ground. Sweat dripped down your brow but your smile never faltered and you barked out a laugh every time Kaeya teased you and tried to trip you, with him only giving you a smirk when you tried to do the same to him.

Your spar ended satisfyingly, still flipping your sword in your hands, feeling every divot of the grip and running your fingers along the decorated hilt piece that wrapped around your hand.

You hugged Kaeya enthusiastically, wrapping your arms around his waist and standing on your tippy toes so you could nuzzle your face in his neck. His soft puffs of air hit you as he chuckled and leaned his head against yours, circling his own arms around you, one going around your waist to keep you level with him and the other around your shoulders to pull you closer.

You could feel the imprint of his smile on your forehead, sighing in content. Kaeya was chilly, a byproduct of his vision no doubt, and it doused your heated skin with a pleasant feeling.

“Would you like to take a picture with me?” You asked, breaking the silence.

“Hm?” Kaeya pulled back looking down at you with a questioning eyebrow raise. “You have a Kamera?”

“Yeah, Diluc gifted it to me the other day and I wanted a picture of us three together.”

“Aw, how sweet.” His smile faltered but never let it fall. “But you know Master Diluc cannot stand to be around me for more than a minute outside of a formal setting, and even then I think he still wants to leave.”

You scoffed and lightly punched his chest. “You both antagonize each other.” You narrow your eyes. “The two of you are too busy being petty with each other to just sit down and talk about your fa- feelings.” You moved past your slip up at lightning speed. “If you could just speak to each other like the adults you are-”

“It’s complicated-”

“It always is-”

“You don’t understand-”

“I can try-”

“No!” You step back slightly at his harsh tone, noticing how his fists had balled and started shaking. “It’s- It’s hard.” His voice cracked on the last word and your heart clenched.

“Kaeya, I’m sorry.” You reached to his hands, gently rubbing his knuckles and slowly unclenching his fingers. “I didn’t mean to push, but even though you try to hide it, I can tell you enjoy being around Diluc, even when he’s a grumpy bump on a log.” Kaeya scoffed in amusement. “And when I train with Diluc and talk about you, he gets sad, I know he does. I think that whatever the two of you are going through, and if you ever want to tell me, I’ll listen, is fixable, you both are just too stubborn to see that.”

"You think so?" Your stomach churned uncomfortably at the broken hope.

"Of course I do. I wouldn't have said it if I didn't mean it."

"Thanks."

That was the end of that. You and Kaeya conversed for a little while longer, bringing the mood up from the sudden heaviness. He eventually sent you on your way, a somber smile yet grateful eye.

-

"Okay, y'all are fucking with me." You helding the leaning greatsword against you. "What the hell?"

"I don't understand." Diluc's really nice voice grated against your ire.

"Why is everyone giving me new weapons today? Was this a planned attack or something? You already gave me a gift recently."

"I just believed you reach a point in your training where you should have your own greatsword. You've worked hard and deserved it." Diluc shrugged, his impassive stare only irritating you more.

"That's really sweet and I don't know how to respond to you being so neutral!" You shook the hand that wasn't holding up the beautiful greatsword in his face.

And goddamn it was beautiful. Where did everyone get these made? Ariel, you know, did it himself, but Diluc and Kaeya must've used some kind of connection because, no offense to Wagner, there's nobody in Mond who could make these weapons.

The greatsword was white in base, similar to the others, but instead of blue or lavender, the greatsword was accented with a dark, hearty red. It didn't glow exactly but it still seemed to light up the area, practically demanding a presence. The hilt wasn't as carved as the other two weapons, basking in a beautiful simplicity, with a thick grip that roughed your hands.

"Ya know, these would look nice in the picture." You mused, focusing on all the small details you could.

"Picture?"

"Yeah." You hummed. "I want a picture of you, Kaeya, and I as the first to go on my wall."

You heard him scoff and turned to him with a raised eyebrow. "Problem?"

"I cannot stand being around Sir Kaeya for more than a moment. He's absolutely insufferable."

"Oh well. You're gonna run into him eventually and he's my friend so it looks like ya gotta deal with it."

"I do not have to 'deal' with anything. I can avoid Sir Kaeya if I wish." Diluc crossed his arms, huffing like a petulant child.

Your eyes rolled so hard you thought they would all back into your head. "Oh please Diluc, don't be ridiculous. God, I just had this conversation with Kaeya earlier. Petty, the both of you."

Diluc snarled. "Don't talk about what you don't understand."

You merely shrugged, trying your absolute hardest not to show how Diluc's Fierce expression truly affected you. "I don't understand, but I'm sure Kaeya does, why don't you speak to him?"

"Because I can't!"

"Why not?"

"Because it's his- it's his-"

"Fault?"

"No!" Diluc looked somewhat horrified by the prospect. "Never!"

"Then what?"

"BECAUSE IT’S MINE!" Diluc went to pull at his hair before pausing and settling then down tensely at his sides. "I messed everything up for us. It was my foolishness and impulsiveness that has us in this situation."

You walked over to him, his head bowed in shame and embarrassment. Stopping in front of him you held out your hands, waiting. Hesitantly Diluc placed his gloved hands in yours and you refrained from clamping them to your chest.

"Hesitantly, you are even more emotionally constipated than Kaeya." Diluc looked unimpressed but you just stared him straight in the eyes. "It doesn't take an idiot to know that you both care about each other. Seeing the way the two of you have acted over the past year with each other, and hearing the whispers in the back of the taverns, you both are hurting and need each other."

"You don't even know how horrible it was."

"I'm always willing to listen if you want to tell me."

Diluc sighed. "I guess it wouldn't hurt to take a picture, preferably in front of Dawn Winery for a good setting."

"I just needs to be in your territory don't it?"

"Yes."

You barked out a laugh, almost missing Diluc's small smile in the corner of your eye.

-

You swung the door with a whistle, lugging all your new weapons you had been collecting like Pokémon throughout the day.

Honestly, the family drama was just as unexpected as all the weapons. Were you actually gonna get that picture? You don't know.