Another reason homicide was written for Diluc's birthday, this is our entry for week 2 of Fluff for the Summer! Hide and Seek takes place in the middle of Tracing Starlit Memories, during an arc we haven't actually started yet (at the time of posting) so if you don't want minor spoilers for that, feel free to come back later. This is still a standalone oneshot though, and can be read completely on its own, it is entirely up to you, as the reader.

As some Chinese words were used, a glossary will be provided in the end of chapter notes with the translated words. Please, if we get any wrong, correct us in the comments so we can fix it! While we are learning, neither of us are fluent in the language and are bound to make mistakes.

Kaeya scanned the streets of Liyue, idly people-watching and enjoying himself, when his eyes lighted on lilac hair bobbing through the crowd. That hair belonged to a young girl and for a moment, his heart ached. She looked so much like his little Klee-deebug. He brushed the comparison aside and nudged Ajax, who was sitting beside him. Nodding to the girl he asked, "Who's she?"

The ginger took a moment to actually focus on what his friend had asked as he was currently focused on trying to eat with chopsticks, but eventually looked up and followed his gaze. "Oh that's Qiqi," he said gesturing wildly, "she works at Bubu Pharmacy. Sweet little girl, a little scattered-brained but cute." Ajax sighed, "You'd probably get along great with her, she likes your shorty adeptus, whatever the fuck his name is- Small or something."

The Khaeri'ahn let out a sigh scrubbing a hand down his face. "Ajax, I love you dearly as my friend, but I'm not going to stop Xiao when he inevitably tries to kill you. He will succeed, and I will laugh."

There was a flash of teal as Xiao appeared before Kaeya, his polearm already in hand. "What did you need dìdì," he asked the blue-haired man, already glaring at the ginger across the table. "Did the harbinger do something?"

The former knight laughed, shaking his head at the adeptus he considered a brother. "No, Xiao, he didn't do anything to me, you don't have to kill him I promise. But if you know anything about Qiqi I'd like to get to know her. She seems lonely… like she could use a friend."

There was a pained look on the Anemo adeptus' face and it was a few minutes before he spoke, settling down to sit beside the human he'd taken as one of his siblings. "She's a zombie," he said softly, pausing before adding, "and it's my fault."

Kaeya nudged Xiao gently, "Ajax tells me she likes you, so clearly she doesn't blame you for whatever happened." He then turned to poking Xiao in the cheek. Xiao did not seem amused, but didn't stop him as he continued, "I'm sure she'd like to play with you. Come on, we can play hide and seek, that's one of Klee's favorites. Unless you count Fish Blasting."

Xiao rolled his eyes and sighed, though Kaeya could tell he was fighting a smile by the slight twitch of his mouth. "If you insist mortal," there wasn't any bite to the words as the adeptus spoke. "After you eat. Humans do not live long, and you are too thin." This was of course punctuated by Xiao stealing a plate of almond tofu from the table.

The Khaeri'ahn rolled his eyes, chuckling softly at the look of absolute disbelief on Ajax's face. "Yes Dad," he teased.

The teal-haired male pulled a face scrunching his nose. "Ew. No. Never say that again."

Before anyone else could add anything another voice joined the table, "I was unaware I had been replaced, Kaeya. Although I suppose I can settle with being your grandfather." It was the voice of Zhongli joining them for lunch. "You couldn't have chosen a better option than Xiao if you must replace me."

There was a moment where Kaeya watched the shorter man attempt to say something intelligent only to fail miserably and give up before sliding under the table to sulk. The Khaeri'ahn just laughed, "I think you broke him, Zhongli."

The brunet waved him off, instead taking some of the bamboo shoot soup, "He'll be fine. Weren't you three going to play with Qiqi?"

"We were going to teach her to play hide and seek," Kaeya said stealing a dumpling from Ajax who proceeded to try to stab Kaeya with his poorly held chopsticks for the theft. The only reason he stopped was because Zhongli sent a stern look his way.

"I'm sure she'll love that," Zhongli replied as he ate his soup. "Do try to have fun as well."

Kaeya just shook his head a smile playing on his lips as he spoke, "Yes baba."

This, of course, made Zhongli brighten considerably as he added, "Stay close to the city, however."

The ginger harbinger rolled his eyes, "Zhongli-xiangsheng, we'll be fine. Besides, I'd love a good fight."

It was a few minutes later that Kaeya had convinced Xiao to come out of his hiding spot and the three allogenes left in search of Qiqi, Xiao taking the lead as he was the most familiar with the girl, and Kaeya keeping Ajax on a leash lest he wander off to find things to fight. Eventually, they found her not that far from Mt. Tianheng, gathering qingxin on the edge of a cliff. There was a moment of pure panic for Kaeya as the little zombie fell from the ledge only for Xiao to catch her, setting her down before the Khaeri'ahn. Qiqi turned to the adeptus who had saved her, offering him the qingxin she had collected. "Thank you for saving Qiqi," she murmured, then the lilac-haired child stared at him for a moment, "Do I know you?"

An unreadable expression crossed Xiao's face for a moment before he dipped his head and answered, "I'm Xiao and these are my…" he paused briefly, then corrected the sentence, "This is my little brother, Kaeya, and his friend, Ajax."

"Oh, I'm Qiqi," she replied turning to the other two, "are you here to play with Qiqi?"

Kaeya knelt down to talk to the little girl. "Yeah, would you like to play hide and seek with us Qiqi," he asked, nervously playing with his lucky mora in one hand. The girl in question nodded and listened to the explanation of the rules, running off to hide while Ajax counted.

The first game didn't last very long as Qiqi had been found within the first few minutes, although it looked like she had fun so they reset for a new game and this time, Kaeya was counting. After counting until he reached the agreed-upon number the Khaeri'ahn set off looking for his friends. Xiao was the easiest to find even without calling him. As usual, he was nearby keeping an eye on Kaeya. "Xiao, you know that you're supposed to hide from me yes," he asked laughing at his honorary brother.

"Quiet mortal," Xiao hissed back with no bite to the supposed insult. "I was simply ensuring your safety."

Kaeya just chuckled before setting off to find the other two participants. Ajax was the next easiest to find- just listen for the sounds of violence, and there he would be in the heart of it. "Ajax- this… this isn't how you're supposed to play either," the blue-haired man just looked betrayed. "At least Qiqi knows how to play."

The next few hours were spent looking for Qiqi, who was nowhere to be found, and it was starting to worry Kaeya. He knew she had a vision and could probably handle herself, but she was still a child and to make it that much worse, Xiao was missing as well. Ordinarily, Kaeya wouldn't get too concerned by Xiao disappearing, but the adeptus seemed to be very protective of the smaller cryo allogene. So just the fact Kaeya couldn't find either had him on edge to the point Ajax had also joined him to look for the little girl.

By the time they were found, Kaeya was in a near-panicked state. Only after Ajax led him straight to them did he finally calm down, letting out a sigh of relief as he leaned against a rock.

Both Xiao and Qiqi were under a sunsettia tree, dappled sunlight forming ever-changing patterns of gold on sleeping faces. Kaeya honestly thought Xiao might be incapable of sleep since the adeptus seemed to be available at all hours, but here he was, resting under a tree with Qiqi curled on his chest.

They looked so incredibly peaceful and innocent, to the point it nearly melted the Khaenri'ahn's heart, and he wished he'd had the forethought to bring his kamera. This was perfect blackmail material and how could he, as a dedicated little brother, pass up on the opportunity? He hummed, idly tapping his fingers on stone while he mused, "Wish I could get a picture of this…"

Ajax held up the kamera in his hand, cheshire grin spreading across his face and distorting the smattering of freckles. "Do you want a copy?"

"He's going to end you if he finds out you have those." A smirk spread across Kaeya's features, then he added, "But yes I want a copy." After that the two settled down nearby, chatting idly while they let Xiao and Qiqi sleep in the afternoon sun.

✦•—✧—• ⟡ ✦ ⟡ •—✧—•✦

Somewhere in the near future, resting proudly on a mantle, was a framed picture of Xiao and Qiqi. For as much as Xiao may wish to tear it to shreds, he would not test Zhongli's temper like that.

Hope you enjoyed!

Oh, and the comment about only needing to follow the sounds of violence to find Ajax, that is coming from dealing with a dedicated Tartaglia main. I (Fae) am constantly possessed by the spirit of Tartaglia and Must Kill at every given opportunity. Storm is tasked with following me and making sure I don't die.

Glossary:

Dìdì- little brother

Baba- father