#raiden shogun header | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

everlaneptune · 11 months ago

Text

Hello! Welcome to an observation of the relationship between my character and the Ragnvindr brothers.

Allow me to place where credit is due. Thank you to Hoyoverse for providing the character constellations for my custom-made Tumblr header, which I made myself!

Now, enjoy!

•°•

Gentle Souls

Kaeya

Lightning flickers, and thunder rumbles in the heavy, condensed nimbostratus above. A storm rages on beyond the mansion, and it reminds him of the day when he first stepped foot into Teyvat. Twisting and turning in bed, he catches a glimpse of hungry flames on the walls. Kaeya remembers when he fled the land he called home.

He recalls a man kneeling before him, his hands grasping onto his shoulders. A set of cold, periwinkle eyes glower at him. A roughened, deep voice speaks. “Kaeya, you are the last hope of Khaenri’ah.”

Gasping, he jolts awake. He clutches onto the bedsheets. Cold sweat dampens the sheets around his body. Kaeya flinches when the roaring thunder disrupts the silence, glass rattling against their wooden frames. He closes his eye only to catch another glimpse of flame. Kaeya takes a deep breath and exhales slowly.

He fails to ease his anxiety, and a bitter laugh leaves him. “Guess it’s one of those nights.”

A knock sounds on the door. The blue-haired man rolls out of bed to answer it. When he opens it, the disheveled appearance of Diluc greets him, clutching a pillow close to his chest. His brother’s red hair lays askew on his head from twisting and turning too. He rubs an eye to get rid of sleepy dust, his face contorting in discomfort.

Kaeya chuckles softly. He steps out of the room and closes the door.

“Heading to Alcina’s room too?” Diluc asks.

“Yeah,” he replies.

They walk down the corridor, their footsteps quiet against the wooden floors. He peers out a window as they pass by. Rain glides down the glass like salty and bitter tears.

“What a storm.”

“Never seen a storm like this before,” Diluc yawns. “The Raiden Shogun must be upset at something. It’s just a question of ‘what?’”

Kaeya wrinkles his nose at the mention of an archon. That divine being aided Celestia in wiping out a nation of innocent people. He knows that it’s not the Ragnvindr’s fault because they never participated in the massacre of Khaenri’ahn people. Thus, he quenches his anger.

So, to please his brother, he nods.

They arrive at a white door ornamented by snowflakes. Other winter aesthetics decorate the wood, accentuating her family history with the Cryo Archon. One artistic decision changes the overall bitterness of the piece. Small handprints decorate the middle of the door.

Kaeya remembers the day when Crepus announced the renovation of Alcina’s room. The children sprinted to the door, paint in hand. Diluc pressed a red handprint in the center of the door. He followed suit by applying a blue handprint left to the first. Alcina copied their example, placing a purple handprint on the other side of the red hand.

To this day, it symbolizes their friendship, one that would last an eternity.

If he recalls correctly, the brothers had been about eight or nine years old. That would make her about four or five.

Presently, he and Diluc are seventeen, and Alcina is thirteen.

How time flies.

“Do you think she’ll be angry?” Diluc asks.

“I doubt it,” he answers. “Coming to her room on stormy nights has become routine for us.”

He knocks lightly on the door to alert her of their presence. The brothers wait for Alcina to wake from her slumber. Silence greets them minutes later, so Diluc copies Kaeya, albeit louder. Both brothers snicker when they hear, “Who’s knocking at this bloody hour?”

Kaeya leans against the wall, listening in while tapping his left bicep.

5…

4…

The faint creak of an oil lamp switch sounds. He detects quiet rustling, which must be bedsheets being tossed aside. Creaking floorboards and the soft pitter-patter of footsteps cues Alcina’s journey to the door.

3…

2…

Colliding objects muted by the door echoes in the quiet hallway. A curse of, “Sweet Barbatos, that hurt!” follows afterward. Diluc’s face tucks into his pillow, laughing into the cotton. Kaeya joins in with a soft snort.

1…

0…

The door opens to reveal a disheveled Alcina. Her hair springs into every direction, a hairdo worse than his brother’s. Sleep clings tightly onto the youngest, sealing her eyes closed. With a sniffle, she rubs at them to get rid of said sleep. The girl takes a proper look at them, and realization dawns upon her.

She smiles. “Is it a slumber party night?”

“It is,” Diluc replies. “Have you not heard the thunder?”

“Nope,” Alcina replies. She leans against the door frame, sleep reclaiming her slowly. “Haven’t heard…” A yawn escapes her. “A thing since I conked out.”

“Well, we know the procedure,” Kaeya grins.

She nods in agreement. Little hands reach for him, and the blue-haired boy lifts her into his embrace. Her gesture is a nonverbal invitation into her bedroom. He steps in, and Diluc follows suit, closing the door behind them.

“It’s bedtime for all of us,” he says.

“Agreed,” Diluc concurs. “No excuses.”

Kaeya lays her onto the bed, settling down behind her on the stupidly soft mattress. It’s comfier than both of the brothers own. Not only that, but she prefers the softer side of life. The girl has soft bedsheets and a comforter that warms everyone.

He wishes that he can sleep with her every night. He sleeps so much better in her bed than his own. Even Diluc agrees!

Sometimes, she lays a fur blanket on top of her comforter. Tonight is one of those nights.

When a storm brews in Mondstadt, the temperature dramatically drops. Diluc doesn’t have to worry about the temperature, as his body has become a heating system due to his pyro vision.

On the other hand, Kaeya stands the cold comfortably without a vision. He considers himself to have a special relationship with it. Although, that suggests that he would receive a cryo vision if Celestia recognizes him. He doesn’t want a gift from that godforsaken place who ruined his nation.

A flick on his forehead interrupts his thoughts.

With a yelp, he massages the afflicted area. He glares down at the culprit who made himself comfortable in Alcina’s arms.

“You know, Diluc always spoons me when he visits,” Alcina starts. “When you spend the night, you like being cradled. So, it doesn’t come as a surprise. I sleep more often with Kaeya than I do with Diluc. So, I understand why he wants to be held.”

Kaeya chuckles quietly. “Really now?’

He knows the truth. Sweet Diluc wishes to appear strong in front of Alcina.

A few weeks ago, Kaeya overheard Crepus discussing marriage arrangements with her father, Jonathan. Traditionally, it’s the eldest children who are to be wed, but Crepus and Johnathan cannot deny the bond between Diluc and Alcina, or as they say, “Their relationship is truly one of a kind.”

He had been shocked by the suggestion. Diluc and Alcina view each other as brother and sister unless he misinterpreted their relationship. No, he cannot be. He is the most observant amongst their trio. Nothing can escape his speculating gaze!

Can it?

“Did Father inform you yet?” Diluc asks, averting his ruby gaze.

The inevitable conversation has come. Kaeya has a feeling that the arrangements would be successful, if he factors in the close friendship shared between Crepus and Johnathan. Instead of being all-knowing, he wears an oblivious mask.

“About what?” he replies.

“The betrothal,” Diluc whispers. “Father told me a few days ago that Alcina and I are to be wed.” He exhales shakily. “I have no idea how to feel about it. We’re siblings, not lovers.”

He studies his brother for a moment. He glances down at Alcina, who possesses a tender soul who never witnessed the horrors of Teyvat.

Indecision has always been a leading cause of conflict in Mondstadt. Not only have the brothers seen the worst people due to their responsibilities as Favonius knights, but Kaeya experiences indecision himself. Sometimes, he wishes to reveal his true origins to the Ragnvindr and Mordremaire clans, but he conceals his heritage away.

He fears their scornful gazes.

Anyone who experiences indecision only tries to make a choice that will either benefit or harm them in the near or distant future.

Kaeya does what is best. He offers advice with a smile.

“The people of Mondstadt will rejoice upon receiving news of the marriage between Diluc Ragnvindr and Alcina Mordremaire,” he says. “Have you seen the way that Mondstadt looks at both of you? You are a spectacle. Everyone awaits for the unification of the Ragnvindr and Mordremaire clans.”

Diluc regards him in disbelief. “Are you serious?”

He nods. “Yes. I notice these things as the third wheel!”

“Okay, no.” His brother groans. “We’re siblings, not lovesick friends in a love triangle. Just no. Lord Barbatos, why did you even make me say that?”

Kaeya laughs. “I don’t know why.”

“Shut up,” Alcina grumbles. The brothers jolt at the sound of her voice. “I am sleeping. Whatever conversation that you boys discuss can wait for the morning. Gossip like teenage girls later. Close your eyes and sleep. Now.”

“Okay,” Diluc replies with a light laugh. “Good night then.”

He copies him. “Good night.”

Both of them close their eyes. The red-haired brother succumbs to slumber faster than him. He knows because his brother often snores quietly. Kaeya gazes down a this sworn siblings lovingly. Khaenri’ah has always been his paradise, yet he finds another one in the embrace of his loved ones.

So, he closes his eyes. He joins them in the nature of sleep.

. . .