[ when abel tells him that it isn't too late, there's a split-second where kaeya gives him a familiar look — one that's lost, one that's painfully similar to how he'd looked up at the man as a young boy, when he was in thrall to the innocence's call. it only lasts for a moment because kaeya can no longer handle looking at the smile that abel now wears on his face.
he doesn't know what to say in return. he doesn't think he needs to say anything at all, but there's a terrifying feeling that manifests itself from deep within, one that he's always so afraid to consider. if he gives abel's words an inch, he knows exactly what would happen: he'll believe them, and then realize what a fool he was to do in the end, because promises like that aren't so easy to keep.
(diluc had promised him something just as significant all those years ago, and look what happened between the two of them. they no longer walk the same path.)
he doesn't think abel, or anyone here, can stay true to their word. he knows that better than anyone else.
so he turns his back on the other man, signalling that he's done. ]
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he doesn't know what to say in return. he doesn't think he needs to say anything at all, but there's a terrifying feeling that manifests itself from deep within, one that he's always so afraid to consider. if he gives abel's words an inch, he knows exactly what would happen: he'll believe them, and then realize what a fool he was to do in the end, because promises like that aren't so easy to keep.
(diluc had promised him something just as significant all those years ago, and look what happened between the two of them. they no longer walk the same path.)
he doesn't think abel, or anyone here, can stay true to their word. he knows that better than anyone else.
so he turns his back on the other man, signalling that he's done. ]