Chapter Text
Diluc was dreading tonight.
He had promised his staff a dinner party to officially announce his return when he first arrived back at the manor. He was regretting that invitation now. He had practiced a few answers to questions he would be asked tonight.
“Where were you?”
“All around Teyvat, most recently Snezhnaya.”
“What did you do?”
“I traveled and saw the world, I enjoyed Natlan the most.”
“Why did you leave?”
“I needed to find myself after my father’s death, I wasn't ready to take on his job but I am now.”
He just hoped nobody was brave enough to ask about Kaeya tonight, he did not have a single answer prepared for that. He assumed Keya had told everybody what he did, he had expected to be met with hatred from his staff, and he would have deserved it. Still, it seems Kaeya did not tell anybody what happened that night and Diluc was more than happy to keep everybody in the dark. The last thing he wanted was for Adelinde to look at him with disgust after finding out, he couldn't bear losing another family member to his stupid mistakes.
Diluc spent most of the morning and well into the afternoon worrying about the dinner tonight, he could hardly focus on his work as it stared up at him from his desk. “Wasn’t ready to take on his father’s job” he had decided.
What a joke.
The last thing on Diluc’s mind that night was handling the winery’s affairs the next morning. Diluc had never thought he would be the one taking on his father’s role, it was a sort of unmentioned plan for Kaeya to be the one handling the business. Diluc’s assigned role was to be a model knight and live out his father’s dreams for him.
Look at them now.
He would be so disappointed in him.
He grit his teeth tearing his eyes away from the papers in front of him. He had been spending a lot of time lost in his head lately. Ever since that meeting with Kaeya, he hadn't had a good night’s rest. The nightmares were still plaguing his mind but they seemed to have gotten worse. He had dark bags under his eyes from all the nights he had woken up in a cold sweat and gone out as Nighthawk instead of bothering to try and fall back asleep.
He couldn't get the image of Kaeya’s fearful eyes staring up at him out of his head.
Standing up suddenly Diluc made his way down to the kitchen, he would make much better use of his time distracting himself by helping Adelinde prepare for dinner. At least that was his plan until a maid started shooing him away from the stove. He frowned at looked over at Adelinde for help, she was busy laying out a beautiful crust over a pie not paying him any mind until he came up beside her.
“You always make such beautiful pies,” he murmured, “please, let me help?” he asked.
Adelinde took one look at him, at his tired expression, his slumped shoulders, and the slightly unkempt hair. She smiled gently and reached up to smooth out the hair outside of his low ponytail. “Of course Master Diluc,” she took a small step to the side and slid over a bowl of batter. “You can fill the cupcake tin.”
Diluc smiled at her a bit relieved to have some sense of normalcy return. He had missed this, cooking with Adelinde had been one of his favorite activities as a kid, even more so after he got his vision. He had scalded several pots when he first started out, but eventually, he got better at controlling the flame. He credited at least some of his excellent control over his vision on that practice.
Adelinde watched him as he carefully scooped out the batter with a gentle expression on her face. Eventually, she sighed and went back to what she was doing before the interruption, carefully cutting out shapes from the leftover dough to decorate the apple pie before her.
“You know,” she started, “this may be a good opportunity to talk to some people who missed you all these years.
Diluc tensed and cleared his throat, “I suppose so, is there somebody you had in mind?”
He knew where this was going but still, he hoped for her to say something else.
“Well, I know the Acting Grandmaster would appreciate an invitation… and maybe somebody else you've missed?” she hinted glancing at him with an expectant look.
Diluc sighed, “I can send Jean a letter, although it is very last minute I don't think she would be able to find the time.” He looked away from her suddenly very interested in the batter in front of him.
Adelinde let out another sigh sounding a bit disappointed it sent a pang of hurt through his chest.
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, “And…”
Adelinde perked up a bit
“... I could… inquire as to if Kaeya is available.” He mumbled quietly.
Adelinde smiled gently clasping her hands together and bringing them close to her chest. “I would love the opportunity to cook for my boys again.” She grinned at him, “Be sure to tell him I will save him a seat.”
Diluc smiled back a little awkwardly, there goes his plans for avoiding all mention of Kaeya tonight. He mentally chastised himself for agreeing to this but it made Adelinde happy and he couldn't deny the guilt in his heart over the distance he unwittingly caused between Adelinde and Kaeya.
While he didn't know the full story of Kaeya’s life during his absence, he had put together enough to know he didn't visit the winery very often, and only under official capacities when he did. He knew it was his fault, he had written Kaeya out of the will, sold the manor, and disowned him. Of course, Kaeya would feel uncomfortable here, he clearly hadn't even bothered to pick up his things from his old room.
Diluc startled suddenly as the now full cupcake tin was taken from in front of him. He looked over at Adelinde who was now holding it and another full one in her other hand, when had she finished the pie?
“Well then, I think it's about time you clean yourself up and head to the city, in person invitations are much better don't you agree?”
Diluc frowned feeling a bit like a petulant child as he avoided Adelinde’s eyes. “Yes… I should go tack up Painter.”
“Great! I’ll set out two more placemats,” Adelinde hummed as she carried the tins to the oven.
Diluc considered calling that both of them may decline his invitation but decided against it. He instead headed to the front door, grabbing his coat on the way out.
It was a chilly day which meant Painter would be pretty fresh and rearing to go. He considered for a moment that taking him into the city may be a bad idea. He glanced over at Altan, his father’s old gelding, and pursed his lips. He had said he would take him out for a ride soon, and it was just a quick visit to the city.
In no time at all Altan was tacked up and ready to go, he had looked pretty dull when he was first taken out of the stall, but now that Diluc was climbing onto his back he perked up.
Altan was much slower than Painter due to his age, but he had no problem trotting down the path to the city.
Diluc could not help letting his mind wander again as Altan took him across the rolling hills of Mondstadt, Altan knew the way by heart and he could have easily let go of the reins entirely and still found himself at the city gates.
He remembered a younger version of himself, Jean, and Kaeya as they watched Kaeya learning to ride. His father had been right beside him hovering his hand behind Kaeya’s back as he learned to steer.
Kaeya had been terrified of the horses at first, absolutely refusing to go anywhere near them until Diluc took his hand and introduced him to Painter. He had lifted a trembling hand along with his own towards Painter’s nose and only when Kaeya felt the soft snout did he finally crack his eye open to look at the beast.
He remembers Kaeya’s awed face as Painter gently nuzzled his palm and how Kaeya didn't even notice when he let go of his arm to let Kaeya pet him on his own.
And there he was less than a month later, riding Altan and steering him through cones set up in the small arena. He hadn't quite learned how to get the horse to move by kicking or squeezing his legs yet, luckily Altan walked slowly on his own after Crepus got him moving with a gentle push.
Diluc and Jean had watched while exchanging soft whispers between them. They talked about Kaeya, about Diluc’s knight training, about Jean’s new baby sister, and anything else they could think about. Diluc remembers being completely entranced by the way Jean’s hair moved in the breeze back then. It wasn't until they were both well into their teens that Diluc acted on his crush. They had lasted a few months and decided being friends was much easier.
Diluc went through the motions of setting up Altan in one of the city’s open stalls and paying the farmhand without realizing it. Eventually, he shook himself out of his memories as he walked past the Floral Whisper and heard Donna suck in a gasp.
“Master Diluc!” She practically squealed
Diluc internally cringed and slowly turned around to face her.
Donna grinned at him as she gently hopped down from the ledge she was standing on casting Flora a look as she did. “I'm so happy to see you today uh-” she quickly turned around and grabbed a random bouquet of flowers thrusting them into his arms, “I wanted to give you these the last time I saw you but you flew by!” she giggled.
Diluc tried to put on his best smile which looked more like a grimace. “Thank you… I have some business in the city today so I should get going.” Diluc quickly started walking back towards the plaza avoiding looking at Donna as he did.
Eventually, Diluc found himself standing in front of the knights' headquarters… with a bundle of flowers.
The last time he had been in this building was the day after his father’s death when he renounced his title and quit the knights effective immediately. He still remembers Eroch’s poorly disguised look of satisfaction at his anger.
Diluc swallowed a lump in his throat and boldly walked inside ignoring the strange looks he got from the guards stationed outside. He recognized them from his time in the knights although they were under a different captain.
Diluc found himself heading towards the quartermaster’s office before remembering Jean had been promoted, he turned on his heel and knocked on the Grandmaster’s door instead.
It took a moment before he heard a groggy “come in” from inside. As he pushed open the door he tried to avoid the sense of nostalgia that came with it.
Varka was a kind man who had acted as an unofficial uncle to the Ragnivindr boys back during their youth. He had been an especially close friend of their father’s and often joined the family for dinner or holidays. In later years Diluc was often the one arriving unannounced to his office, sometimes electing to do his paperwork at one of the couches instead of his own desk.
At the grandmaster’s desk sat not a burly man with a wide grin but a surprised young woman instead.
Jean stared at Diluc with eyes as wide as saucers her pen frozen the the middle of a signature. For a second neither of them moved, it felt as if neither one took a breath. Eventually, Diluc spoke up after taking in her appearance.
She looked tired, and so mature. Her hair was in a neat ponytail, her uniform in perfect condition, as was to be expected from her. She looked older, they both did, but her eyes hadn't changed at all. She still held the same kindness and gentleness in her gaze despite her shock.
Diluc’s voice felt small as he spoke, “Jean, I hope I am not catching you at a bad time.”
“Sir Diluc! uh - no! Not at all. I'm glad to see you.” Jean stood up, signature forgotten as she dropped her quill.
“Please, don't call me that anymore, I resigned from the knights,” Diluc cringed.
“Oh- right, my apologies, I take it you're not here to get your old job back then?” Jean looked a little disappointed at the shake of Diluc’s head.
“No I um,” he glanced at the flowers and blushed, “I came to pass along an invitation… and to pass these off to you,” he held out the bouquet.
Jean flushed as she looked at the flowers and took them from him, “Thank you. What's the occasion?” she looked down at the flowers for a moment before moving to set them in a vase she took down from one of the many bookshelves.
“A dinner, at the winery,” Diluc watched her as she rearranged the flowers, “I invited the staff to join me for my official return tonight.”
Jean lit up at that, “So you're really back? For good?” her face broke into a wide grin.
Diluc nodded, he felt guilt flash through his heart once again. He had no right to be celebrated for his return, he had been chasing after foolish desires for revenge and got himself hurt in the process. He didn't deserve the worry allotted to him during his sojourn.
As the guilt continued to eat away at his soul Jean was looking over her schedule. “I actually should be able to make it this evening, I'd just have to let Lisa know not to wait up for me.” She smiled at Diluc, “Welcome back sir,” she stuck out her hand.
Diluc took it and shook her hand firmly, “I’ll let Adelinde know, she will be very pleased to see you again. He nodded curtly and paused on his walk back to the door, “Is… Kaeya here by chance?” he asked quietly.
The air seemed to have suddenly been sucked from the room as Jean watched him. “He is… may I inquire as to why you are looking for him?”
Diluc shivered subtly at the way Jean’s demeanor seemed to flip. “I was told to give him an invitation to tonight as well, Adelinde is looking forward to the chance to see him again.”
Jean nodded a bit, “Well we shouldn’t disappoint Adelinde, he should be in his office.” She hesitated seeming to want to say more but decided against it as she took her seat back at her desk.
Diluc felt a pit sitting heavy in his stomach. How much did she know? Clearly, not everything as he wasn't stuck in a jail cell for attempted murder but enough that just the thought of Diluc and Kaeya interacting seemed to put her on edge. He wondered not for the first time what Kaeya had told everyone about that night.
Diluc was halfway up the stairs when he realized he didn't know where Kaeya’s office was. He never had one when they had all been knights. While he served as an unofficial deputy to Diluc he used the cavalry captain’s office to do his work. The fact that he was next in line to become the cavalry captain should have been Diluc’s first clue as to where Kaeya could be.
He stood in front of the door for long enough to get a few odd looks from the knights standing in the halls. After what felt like hours, he worked up the nerve to knock on the door. Upon being invited inside Diluc once again hesitated, considering leaving and pretending he had never been there.
He steeled himself as he thought of how Adelinde would react if he did that and pushed open the door.
The office looked nearly identical to the one in his memories. There were subtle differences, the rug looked new and there were paintings he recognized as his father’s work up on the walls. The sofa in the corner had a rumpled blanket thrown onto it with stacks of paperwork scattered around it. There was a bulletin board off in the corner with crude drawings of hilichurls and people done in crayon superimposed with what looked like explosions and fire drawn in bright red, each paper signed with big letters- “Klee”. The larger boards were filled with maps with pins and twine and small notes stuck along the sides.
The desk looked the same, as did the bookshelves, both cluttered with books and knick-knacks. Kaeya sat in a large chair clearly in the middle of paperwork. He had a large book opened next to him with translations of other common Teyvatan languages to Mondstadtan.
Kaeya visibly stiffened at the sight of Diluc but forced his shoulders to relax by the time Diluc’s eyes met his.
“To what do I owe the pleasure Master Diluc?” Kaeya smiled easily at him.
Diluc didn't say anything for a while too taken by scrutinizing every detail in the office. “You changed the rug,” he supplied, mentally facepalming. Of all the things to say…
Kaeya chuckled breathily, “Among a few other things, is my choice in interior design really what you came here to talk about?”
“No uh-” Diluc awkwardly cleared his throat, he went to speak and felt his mouth dry up. He managed to force the words out of his chest sounding strained as he asked, “Addelinde wishes to know if you would be free to join us for dinner tonight, I am hosting as an official announcement of my return.”
Kaeya’s eye softened at the mention of Adelinde but his gaze hardened as Diluc continued on. “Ah, Adelinde is wondering is she?” He raised an eyebrow at Diluc. “I’d hate to disappoint her but I am not sure my presence is truly warranted as I am no longer involved in the winery.”
Diluc bristled, of course Kaeya would feel uncomfortable at a family dinner after what he did.
“The invitation is open, Adelinde is saving a seat… Jean should be in attendance as well.”
Kaeya watched his brother fumble over his words as he turned over the invitation in his mind. “I’ll see what I can do, I have a late patrol tonight however so please don't wait for me.
Diluc nodded feeling like a weight slid off his shoulders straight into his heart.
“Of course, I’ll let Adelinde know,” he paused, “Thank you for your time Captain Kaeya.”
At that, Diluc turned and left the room.