[Kaeya was, truth be told, not expecting an apology. He wasn’t sure why, although it could easily be past experiences talking as well. But he listened, he just didn’t answer right away as he thought about what to say to that. A part of him wanted to be petty and let Aether take all the blame for their broken bond, but he knew it wasn’t entirely true.

At least, from his point of view bonds were always two-way streets. That’s why his were superficial at best back home, probably not even true bonds except for a select few people such as Lisa, Jean, and even Diluc (as tumultuous as it had been). But he always thought he had formed an actual friendship with the traveler as well, although he knew it wasn’t as deep as he wanted it to be due to his own need to never tell the truth. But he always wanted to at least be there for Aether and…]

Maybe. I told you the truth about myself and you ended up hurting me with that truth. That’s only happened once before and it’s precisely why I never tell the truth about what I really am.

[Kaeya finally looked down at Aether, his eye sharp as he placed his hand in his hip. He wasn’t angry, just… still hurt by this.]

I didn’t do it because of the promise I made to you. I wanted to be forthcoming. You deserved to know after all that. And I still trust that you won’t tell anyone else. [He sighed through his nose.] I keep secrets and I lie. But keeping secrets has its own costs so, who knows whose fault it really is. I’m not about to start pointing fingers. But I also don’t know what to do from here.

[Could he really let himself open up again to Aether?]