Notice: Spet 16th 2021

(this is like a few days late because interweb problems)

Im currently rewriting this story quite literally out of the blue, so if things change you'll know why. It's mostly because I want to and feel that I can do slightly better at writing since some of it feels… rushed, you could say? Anyways, I'll probably update what I've published already and then keep going.

For here, I'll probably skip over full on smut chapters because of the smut ban, but please go to Ao3 (I'm now under the name "MadamaStar" but searching for this story sound be simple lol). Follow me on twitter( MadamaStyx, if you're curious lol) and see all the stuff I like and retweet lmaoo

Notes:

1) Everyone written in this is over the age of 18

1.5) also maybe some subtle shipping between bois

2) I'm am using the official (Chinese) cannon where Kaeya and Diluc are SWORN brothers, so please DO NOT start any problems; if you don't like it they please leave, you're being annoying if you feel the need to drag it more than necessary

3) this story is purely for fun, so I'm taking it how I want with maybe vague points towards plot lmao

4) Updates are gonna be hella slow to that I can mental recover (jkjk) and so that more husband is can come out (and lore too I guess lol)

5) the boys will have some form of kinks with them, but I'm dumb and kinda suck with those out of my own comfort zone, but I will do my best

thanks for sticking around if you do!

~Rewritten prologue~

The initial anger I had towards that god is gone now, instead it's sorrow and anxiety that fills me. My brother… Aether is gone, the dynamic we've relied on for all our lives has become nothing but memory. Perhaps we should've known the day would come, but not this soon. Not before we've even officially become of age to travel alone, before we could do our rite of passage with our people and parents to witness.

Nature's quiet arms do little to soothe the aching heart beating in my chest. But it's unnatural, the world before my eyes. Like everything is different than before…

Why am I getting deja vu? A horrid, aching sense of deja vu — the feeling that has led me down wrong paths in past worlds and maybe even past lives. Wherever he is, does Aether feel the same way?

The sound of enemies approaches me. Here to bother for food or just the fact something shiny is catching their attention — the reasons are as simple as they are, nothing much to worry about.

Without so much as thinking, my sword is in my hand and they are all slain. The scavenger within says to take what's left behind and keep it for later use, for no blood stays behind and their bodies fade into shadow. This world no doubt has much to teach me, even if my one and only partner is gone.

I shouldn't think like that. He's alive — or so says the warmth I feel from his earring, glowing with light like the day he'd gotten it. Naturally, I nearly smile at the thought of how jealous I was that he got this for his birthday. Such childish acts are the only thing I could possibly cling to.

"We always find each other, this is no different. Just wait for me, Aether." A silly promise, knowing I would've done so regardless. I can't exactly return back home without him, our parents would be far from angry.

A gust of wind blows overhead, powerful as if trying to push me elsewhere. And I follow. Away from the place I had been learning to call a temporary home, camping out at whatever other travelers had left behind years ago, towards a statute of what I can assume is a god. Though their image is far from the mysterious god who trapped me here.

The wind continues to push at my back. Urging to move forward, to wade and swim through the small pond, and place a hand upon the cold stone. The feeling is far different from any other — like the wind itself flowed through my body, every breeze from the beginning of time had suddenly appeared to claim my being as their own.

May the wind help you find your way , a voice says, so quiet it's barely a whisper. Go to the City of Freedom to begin your journey, dear traveler.

City of Freedom? Haven't I heard that name before?

It hurts to try and remember; all I can see is blurry, Aether's face, the faces of our people… but those past worlds, everyone I've met, even those I've slain in battle — all of their faces are blank. Why?

The wind once again pushes me elsewhere, mindlessly, like I was nothing more than a puppet. An ounce of truth is in that thought. This new world is completely foregin to me, but that sense of deja vu will not leave. I've been here before, haven't I?

A city in the distance provides little solace and the girl flying overhead makes me far more nervous than it should.

She lands with practice and meets my eye, "May the Anemo God protect you, stranger!"

I only stare. Boundless energy and a big smile, she's no doubt been like that since birth. Reminds me of a dear friend back home.

"I'm Amber, Outrider from the Knights of Favonius!" She says, before observing me, "You don't look like a citizen from Mondstat, what could you possibly be doing here?"

"W-Well," I back up a little when she moves closer, "I'm a traveler. Looking for the City of Freedom..?"

Amber laughs, "You mean Mondstadt? I suppose this must be your first time traveling."

"First time traveling alone, rather. I'm looking for my partner — my twin brother."

"Huh… I don't think I've seen anyone who looks like you." Amber tilts her head, as if trying to remember something, "No matter! Come, I'll bring you to Mondstadt, we can look more when we get there!"

She unceremoniously takes my hand and pulls me with her, walking proudly as she asks where I'm from and what I'm doing here. A million questions a minute, barely waiting for my answers, and rambling on about the Knights of Favonius and the best places in Mondstadt. In a way, she does remind me of Aether: energetic, rambles on about things he likes without anyone being able to add or ask, a ball of sunshine and a sweetheart all around.

We get to the gates, Amber greeting the two men standing out front, and dragging me inside. As we walked around — I was told we were going to Headquarters — the people welcomed me with smiles and idle chit-chat. Such events fuel the sense of deja vu, as if this has happened before with someone else.

Should this shock me?

No — I've decided, as this should be the normal response when traveling with others. In this case, someone who helps protect the city.

The knights are a bit more lively than expected, but are very kind nonetheless. The Acting Grand Master — Jean Gunnhildr, she introduces herself as — invites me to join them in a celebration for tonight, as a way of getting to know everyone around me a bit better. Already, I know that I'll be having to work for them until I'm ready to move on elsewhere. At least they all seem good fun to be around.

At night, we go to a local tavern, even though Amber and I can't exactly drink, at a suggestion. The merriment is addicting and far too easy to join. Laughing, listening to stories, singing shanties and other songs I'm unfamiliar with, watching how these knights are far more human towards others when half-way drunk…

But I can't seem to shake the feeling of someone watching me. It's not burning, but freezing , sending countless shivers down my spine as Amber talks to me about Gods know what. I haven't been paying attention, happy knowing she could still talk without any interruption. The food before only gets picked at by the fork in my hand. Shredding whatever I possibly could, as if that would help with this feeling.

"Oh, I just realized," Amber's voice caught my attention this time, "I offered you a place to stay, but I never got your name, Traveler. Silly me."

"You can call me..." I try to think of an alias, but nothing comes to mind.

"Are… Are you feeling okay? You don't look so good."

"I-I'm fine. Getting used to this crowd has left me a bit nervous." A lump in my throat forms when a figure approaches our table with a charming smile, but his gaze keeps sending shivers all over my body.

Amber's eyes narrow, "Captain Alberich."