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The rain was freezing and the wind was making it worse.
"Stay here. Someone will find you. You'll be safe here."
Those were the last words his father had said to him. And then he'd left. Kaeya had been standing in these strange woods for what felt like hours, though it had probably only been minutes. His father had long since disappeared back down the path without a backward glance as he left his son alone in the nation of a god who wanted him and his people dead.
Kaeya was eight years old, soaking wet, in a foreign nation, alone.
He didn't cry. Crying was for babies, and his father had always said Khaenri'ahns were strong. Had to be strong. Had to survive when no one else would help them.
But his father had also said he'd never leave Kaeya. And here Kaeya was. Alone. Abandoned. So maybe his father was a liar.
The rain was getting heavier. Kaeya's clothes were completely soaked through now, and he was starting to shiver. He should find shelter. Should go somewhere. But where? He didn't know this place. Didn't know anyone here. Didn't speak the language, couldn't read the signs on the way here.
His father had left him in a strange land, far from home, where he couldn't even ask for help.
The shaking got worse. Not just from cold now, but from the reality of his situation crashing down on him.
He was alone. Completely, utterly alone. And no one was coming.
"Stay here. Someone will find you."
But what if no one did? What if he stood here all night and no one came? What if he died here in the rain in a nation that wanted him to suffer?
"Oh, little one," a gentle voice said in a foreign tongue.
Kaeya spun around so fast that he fell backwards into a tree.
A figure stood behind him, glowing softly in the darkness, surrounded by swirling wind that somehow kept the rain from touching him. He looked young but ancient at the same time, with eyes that held centuries and a smile that made Kaeya's chest hurt.
"Who-" Kaeya's voice came out in a whisper, in his native tongue. Then he switched to badly-accented Mondstadt common. "Who are you?"
"My name is Barbatos," the gentle voice said, this time in Khaenrian. Kaeya flinched at the name as though he'd been struck. The entity's features softened. "Oh, dear child, please, be not afraid."
Kaeya had heard of the archons. Beings of immense power who watched over the nations who obeyed and destroyed the one that didn't.
He'll kill you, a voice in the back of his mind whispered. Remember father's warning. They want you dead.
"Why are you here?" Kaeya asked, easing back into his mother tongue.
"Because one of my children is standing in the rain, afraid and alone." Barbatos moved closer, and the wind that surrounded him extended to shield Kaeya from the rain too. "And I don't like seeing my children suffer."
"'M not your child. I'm from Khaenri'ah," Kaeya mumbled, taking a step back.
"You're in Mondstadt now. That makes you mine to care for." Barbatos' smile was sad. "Though I wish you'd come here under better circumstances."
"You know why I'm here?"
"I know your father left you. I know you're scared. I know you think no one is coming." Barbatos knelt down to Kaeya's level, bringing those ancient, knowing eyes even with his. "And I know you're trying so very hard not to cry."
Something broke in Kaeya. The tears he'd been holding back spilled over, and suddenly he was sobbing. Huge, gasping sobs that shook his whole, frail body.
"I don't understand," he choked out. "I don't understand why he left me. I tried to be good. I did everything he said. I didn't complain when we had to walk for days. I didn't cry when I was hungry. I learned the language like he told me to. I was good. I was good and he still left me."
"Oh, little one." Barbatos opened his arms. "Come here."
Kaeya shouldn't. He didn't know this person, this god, this archon. Khaenri'ah had no gods. He should be wary of Barbatos, of a god who surely wanted him dead.
But Kaeya was eight and alone and terrified, and this strangely kind being was offering comfort.
He stumbled forward into the embrace.
Barbatos held him gently, and the wind wrapped around them both like a blanket. A warm, soft breeze that whispered reassurances and safety.
"Your father didn't leave you because you were bad," Barbatos said softly. "He left you because he thought this was the best place for you, for one reason or another."
"Then he should have kept me!" Kaeya wailed, pressing his face into the being's chest. "I don't want to be safe, I want my dad!"
"I know. But sometimes parents make choices for their children that hurt, because they think it's what's best. Even when they're wrong." Barbatos' voice was infinitely gentle, his hand stroking through Kaeya's hair, soft as wind. "Your father was wrong to leave you this way, alone in the rain."
"Why did he leave me?" Kaeya hiccuped, his tears soaking into the being's chest.
Barbatos held Kaeya a little tighter.
"Maybe he wanted to save you," the god supplied tentatively.
"Save me from what?"
"That, I don't know. But I do know that you won't be alone. I promise you that."
"How you know? How you promise?" Kaeya pulled back to look at the archon's face. "You're just wind. You can't- You can't make people want me."
"No, I can't," he lamented, a soft, sad expression playing on his face. "But I can guide you to someone who will want you. Someone who will love you exactly as you are."
Barbatos smiled. "There's a man who lives in that building there," He pointed toward the winery. "His name is Crepus. And his heart is large enough to love you like you deserve."
"You can't know that."
"I'm the Anemo Archon. I know the hearts of all who live in my domain. His heart is good and kind and exactly what you need."
"But I'm from Khaenri'ah. I'm- I'm supposed to be..." Kaeya stopped, unsure how much to say.
"You're supposed to be a child. That's all. A child who deserves love and safety and someone who won't leave you in the rain." Barbatos stood, offering his hand. "Come. Let me take you to him."
"You're just going to... give me to some stranger?" Kaeya's hands fisted in his shirt.
"I'm going to make sure you're found by the right person. There's a difference." Barbatos' eyes were ancient and sad. "I've watched over Mondstadt for thousands of years. I've watched countless children grow, countless families form. I know who will cherish you. Trust me."
Kaeya didn't have much choice. And there was something about this being, this god, that felt safe. Like wind on a spring day. Like freedom and kindness and something he couldn't quite place.
He took Barbatos' hand.
------
They walked through the rain- Or rather, Barbatos walked and the rain parted around them, and Kaeya followed, surrounded by warm wind.
"Why do you care?" Kaeya asked, clutching the hand of the god he was told would gladly dispose of him. "I'm nobody. I'm not even from Mondstadt. I'm from- From the nation you and the other archons hate."
"I don't hate Khaenri'ah. And you're not nobody. You're a child in need. That's enough." Barbatos squeezed his hand. "Every person in Mondstadt is my child. Every single one. The ones born here, the ones who arrive here, the ones just passing through. All of them. And that includes you."
Kaeya looked down. "But I'm not- I'm not staying. My father will come back for me. He has to."
Barbatos was quiet for a moment. Then, gently: "Perhaps. But even if he does, right now you need someone to care for you. Right now, you're mine to protect."
Kaeya tensed, hand gripping tighter in Barbatos'. The archon stopped.
"What troubles you, sweet one?"
"I..." Kaeya shuddered, whether from cold or fear or both. "What if the other gods find out I'm here? What if they're angry that I'm outside and they try to hurt me?"
Barbatos' expression hardened at that, steering Kaeya closer to him.
"Then they'll have to go through me first. You're under my protection now, Kaeya. You're one of my children. And I protect my children from anyone who would harm them. Even other gods."
Kaeya leaned closer into the deity. "You'd fight other gods? For me?"
"I'd fight anyone for any of my children. That's what it means to be the god of this land." Barbatos' voice was absolute. "You're safe here. I promise you that."
Something in Kaeya's chest loosened slightly. Not all the way-he was still terrified, still didn't fully trust this- but just enough.
They reached the winery's main entrance. Barbatos knelt down again, adjusting Kaeya's wet clothes, pushing his rain-soaked hair back from his face.
"Now, here's what's going to happen. I'm going to make sure Crepus finds you. He's going to be worried and kind, and he's going to bring you inside. He'll give you dry clothes and warm food and a safe place to sleep."
"And then?"
Barbatos' hand traveled down his face and cupped his cheek, wiping away the liquid there like he didn't know if it was rain or tears.
"And then you let him help you. Let him care for you. Let yourself be loved." Barbatos' smile was sad. "I know you're scared. I know you feel abandoned. But this is a new beginning, little one. Try to let it be a good one."
"What if he doesn't want me? What if he-."
"He will want you. I promise." Barbatos touched his forehead to Kaeya's. "You're about to meet your father. Your real father. The one who will choose you every single day for the rest of his life."
"My real father just left."
"Your birth father left. Your real father is the one who will love you like you deserve. And you're about to meet him." Barbatos stood. "Now, I'm going to make a bit of noise to get his attention. Don't be scared."
The wind picked up dramatically, rattling the winery's shutters, making the trees creak and sway.
Inside, Kaeya could hear movement. Voices. Someone was coming.
"I have to go now," Barbatos said. "But I'll be watching. Always. You're one of my children now, Kaeya. And I protect my children."
Kaeya froze. "How you know my name? I didn't tell you..."
But Barbatos was already gone, dissolving into wind and rain.
The door opened. A man stood there- Tall, kind face, holding a lantern. He had red hair and gentle eyes and when he saw Kaeya, his expression immediately shifted to concern.
"Archons! Child, what are you doing out here?" He knelt down, not seeming to care about the rain. "Are you lost? Are you hurt?"
Kaeya opened his mouth to respond, but the words wouldn't come. Too many emotions, too much fear, too much everything.
"It's alright. You're alright now. Come inside, let's get you warm and dry." The man- Crepus, Barbatos had called him- Held out his hand. "I'm Crepus. What's your name?"
"K-Kaeya." His voice was so small.
"Kaeya. That's a lovely name. Come on, Kaeya. Let's get you inside."
Kaeya took his hand. Crepus' hand was warm and steady and safe, just like Barbatos' had been.
As Crepus led him inside, rambling on about warm baths and dry clothes and dinner, Kaeya felt a breeze that shouldn't have been there, a warm wind that wrapped around him like a hug.
The wind's voice was soft, barely there.
Kaeya looked back at the rain, and saw nothing except darkness.
------
High above the winery, perched on a wind current, Barbatos watched as Crepus wrapped the small, scared child in a blanket and carried him deeper into the house.
He watched as Crepus called for the housekeeper, as warm water was drawn for a bath, as clothes were found that would fit the boy.
He watched as Kaeya was cleaned and fed and tucked into a guest bed, as Crepus sat beside him and promised he was safe now.
He watched as the scared eight-year-old finally, finally relaxed, surrounded by warmth and kindness.
"Sleep well, little one," Barbatos whispered to the wind. "You're home now. Even if you don't know it yet."
Another child of Mondstadt, safe. Another soul under his protection, cared for.
The boy's biological father had abandoned him, yes. Had left him alone in the rain with nothing but false promises.
But Barbatos had made sure he was found by the right person. By the man who would love this scared Khaenri'ahn boy like his own. Who would give him a brother, a home, a family.
"Thank you," Barbatos said softly to Crepus, even though the man couldn't hear him. "Thank you for having a heart large enough to love him."
He watched a bit longer, making sure the boy settled properly. Making sure Crepus was as gentle and kind as his heart had promised he would be.
When Kaeya finally fell asleep- Truly asleep, not just pretending- Barbatos let himself dissolve fully into the wind.
One more child safe. One more soul protected. One more broken thing made whole.
It was enough for tonight, though he would check on this one often. The Khaenri'ahn boy with the eyepatch, abandoned by one father and found by another.
His child now. One of thousands, yes, but no less precious for it.
"Welcome to Mondstadt, little one," he whispered to the wind. "Welcome home."
------
Kaeya woke in a strange bed, in a strange room, with sunlight streaming through unfamiliar windows.
For a moment, panic seized him. Where was he? Where was his father? What had happened?
Then he remembered. The rain. The abandonment. The glowing god who'd he'd been convinced would kill him and yet had promised him safety.
The kind man who'd found him.
Kaeya sat up slowly. His clothes from yesterday were gone, replaced with clean ones that were slightly too big. Someone had left them folded on a chair.
There were voices downstairs. Laughter. A child's laughter.
Cautiously, Kaeya got dressed in his own clothes and crept to the door.
The hallway was warm and bright. Paintings on the walls. Carpet soft under his bare feet. Everything smelled like cinnamon and fresh bread.
He followed the voices down the stairs.
In the kitchen, Crepus was making breakfast. And sitting at the table, kicking his feet and chattering away, was a boy about Kaeya's age with bright red hair.
"-And then the slime exploded! It was so gross, dad! But also kind of funny." The boy stopped when he saw Kaeya in the doorway. "Oh! You're awake!"
"Good morning, Kaeya," Crepus said, smiling warmly. "Did you sleep alright?"
Kaeya nodded, unsure what to say.
"This is my son, Diluc," Crepus continued. "Diluc, this is Kaeya. He's going to be staying with us for a while."
"Hi!" Diluc hopped off his chair and approached with no fear, no hesitation. "Do you like swords? Father's been teaching me swordwork. Maybe he can teach you too! Do you want to see my room? I have a collection of cool rocks-."
"Diluc, slow down," Crepus said, laughing. "Let him wake up properly first. Kaeya, are you hungry?"
Kaeya was starving. He hadn't eaten since yesterday morning.
"Yes, sir," he whispered in broken Mondstadt common.
"No 'sir' needed," he corrected. "Just Crepus is fine. Or, whatever else you're comfortable calling me." Crepus smile was gentle. "You call me whatever feels right to you."
Kaeya sat at the table carefully. Everything felt fragile, like it might disappear if he moved wrong.
Diluc sat next to him, still chattering. "Where are you from? Your accent is different. That's cool! Can you speak other languages? I only know Mondstadt common. Father says I should learn more but it's hard-."
"Diluc, breathe," Crepus said, setting plates in front of them. He ruffled Diluc's hair. "Let Kaeya eat."
But Diluc's endless chatter was... nice. It filled the silence. Made things feel less scary.
As they ate, Kaeya felt a warm breeze through the open window. Just wind. Nothing more.
But for a moment, he could have sworn he heard a whisper.
Kaeya looked at Crepus, who was listening patiently to Diluc's story about the exploding slime. Kaeya looked at Diluc, who was already treating him like a friend, like someone who belonged here.
Maybe the strange wind god had been right.
Maybe this could be home. Maybe he could let himself be loved.
For the first time since his father had abandoned him, Kaeya felt something other than fear.
He felt hope.
------
Barbatos checked on Kaeya often over the years. Watched as the scared eight-year-old grew into a confident teenager.
Watched as he and Diluc became true brothers- Fighting, laughing, protecting each other.
Watched as Crepus loved him exactly as promised. With the whole of his heart, no conditions, no reservations. Watched as Kaeya slowly let himself believe he deserved it, and he did.
One of Barbatos' many, many children indeed, and no less dear for it.