Chapter Text
The scraping of metal played over and over in Kaeya's mind during his morning routine. It made his head pound and practically left him in a trance, merely going through the motions while all he could think about was what it meant. Weird dreams, a not-dead ghost, it had to all connect somehow.
He leaned against the kitchen counter, sipping at his coffee as he pulled out his phone. He thought about asking Venti what he couldn't last night but... Venti would want to know why Kaeya would want to know and what was Kaeya supposed to say? That he needed to know because Diluc's spirit was haunting him for about a week and he needed his memories and body back? Venti didn't even believe him the first time he brought up Diluc.
No, he knew who would help. Hu Tao picked up almost as soon as he dialed her, letting out a chipper "Why hello Mr. Kaeya! Bad luck about last night, huh? But you'll get there!"
Kaeya let out a sigh. "I suppose it's on me anyways, of course it would be a sore subject. But... can you tell me anything about unusual dreams? I keep dreaming about a hospital room. Or at least, it happened twice, which is weird."
"Sorry but weird dreams aren't my forte, the dead is! It's because I have the Gift. OooOoOoo~" Kaeya could practically see her wiggling her fingers in a 'spooky' way, and he rolled his eyes. "Do you think I might have... a gift of some kind?"
"Oh definitely not! I'd wager that you're just an average Joe stuck in a not average situation. Well, except for that nasty miasma you have around you."
Kaeya's face scrunched up in irritation. "Well I didn't call you to discuss that. I called because you mentioned bringing me some more books the other day. Is that offer still up?"
"Of course of course! I'll be there in a jiffy."
"Thank you, I'll see you when you get here." He kept his tone even, letting out a groan once he finally hung up. He liked her and her energy, but she was just too perceptive and persistent. He didn't like when people pried into his past.
Kaeya set his mug down as he finished his coffee, before opening the fridge. Just as his hand wrapped around the bottle of dandelion wine Diluc poked his head through the back of the fridge, glaring up at him. "You know day drinking isn't good for you, right?"
"Sure thing mom," Kaeya responded dryly, pulling out the bottle and shutting the door. Diluc had appeared beside him in an instant, sitting on the countertop. "I'm serious, it's not healthy. That and you were yelling out in your sleep last night." He could hear the concern in his tone. He popped open the cork, going to take a swig as he tried to ignore the way his heart twinged. He desperately wanted a change of subject.
Diluc stared at the bottle. "Why do you like that shit, anyways? Grape juice is better."
Kaeya let out a gasp, placing a hand over his chest as he stared at Diluc with an offended look in his eye. "How could you say such blasphemy? I'll have you know that wine is a gift from the archons, and the Dawn Winery has the best of them all! To say that grape juice is superior is a lie!"
Diluc rolled his eyes, before sitting up straight. "Wait. Show me the label."
The sudden change left Kaeya confused as he turned the bottle so Diluc can see. Scrawled on the label in a flowing cursive - Dawn Winery. There was a flicker of recognition in his fiery eyes. "This is my father's company. He wanted me to take it over but I wanted to pursue... pursue..." his face scrunched up in confusion. "I can't remember."
Any excitement Kaeya had quickly turned to disappointment. A possible lead became a dead end in the same breath. "Well, then I suppose the two of you wouldn't be as close anymore then."
Diluc shrugged before letting out a sigh. "It's more than I had, at least." He slid off the counter. "But I think we did drift apart once I moved into the city."
Kaeya ran a hand through his hair, staring at the bottle as if he could get it to give him all the answers. It couldn't, but it did give him an idea. "Perhaps we can go on a walk later today? Or tomorrow. Perhaps you'll see something else that jogs your memory."
"That's probably the smartest idea you've had yet."
"Ouch. I don't have to help, you know." Kaeya feigned offense, but there was just the faintest glimmer of mirth in his tone. He wouldn't actually leave Diluc to figure it out himself. That felt cruel. Especially considering...
He didn't want to think about that.
Diluc snorted, but the hint of a smile danced across his lips. "Alright alright. But yes, I'd love to do that." He shuffled his feet a bit. "Besides, I feel... pent up here."
Makes sense, Kaeya mused to himself. After all, the only time Diluc left the apartment since he started materializing was to go to Angel's Share with Kaeya. And the poor man couldn't even drink! Not that he'd even want to, apparently. Kaeya still didn't understand why the redhead would ever say he didn't like wine.
A knock at the door interrupted his thoughts, and he glanced to Diluc before heading from the kitchen to the entrance hall, peeking in the peephole before answering to Hu Tao, who was carrying only a couple books. She gave a sheepish smile. "Sorry, these were all I could find on astral projection and similar experiences! Normally I'd have you pay for em like the others but I suppose I could bend the rules a bit..." She hummed as she handed them off to Kaeya, and he glanced down to the cover of the book on top. Astral Projection and You: A Guide on the Astral Plane. "So basically, I'm going to loan these to you for the week! I'll be by again next week to grab em. That'll be plenty of time to read them, I'm sure!"
Kaeya nodded, still staring down at the book and wondering once again just how he ended up in this mess. "Thank you, Hu Tao. Perhaps I should treat you and your girlfriend to some drinks later? For all the help you've given me-"
"Does everything have to be about alcohol with you?"
Kaeya shot Diluc a pointed look. "Well excuse me, Mr. I-Hate-Good-Things. I'm trying to be nice to our friend here."
He could hear a muffled giggle from Hu Tao, the hand over her mouth poorly concealing her grin. "I take it you're getting on with your special friend, then?" Oh no, she winked at him. How could she insinuate such a thing! Kaeya would never-
Okay, on second thought if he met Diluc in a normal situation-
-No don't go off topic.
He gave her a stiff smile. "Well thank you very much, but Diluc and I are going to be hitting the town. We're hoping to find something he recognizes."
"Ooooh, have fun! Just be careful about being chatty in public, y'know! You're going to get a lot of looks if people see you quote unquote talking to yourself."
"Note taken, thank you Hu Tao." A smile and wave, and he shut the door behind her as she pranced out to the stairs. Kaeya snorted to himself before turning his attention back to the broody male with him. "Alright, let me get properly dressed and freshened up and then we'll head out."
"You mean you're going to take another two hours and then you'll forget something?" Kaeya opened his mouth to argue, but stopped himself when he caught the smirk Diluc wore. Is he really just trying to get a rise out of me? He supposed he was rubbing off on the redhead.
"At least I don't watch other people shower." He grinned triumphantly as Diluc's face flushed a deep red. Cute. Wait.
He was just going to ignore that.
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Kaeya was grateful that it was a cloudy day in Mondstat. The sun was always too harsh on his poor eye, and the only good it had was to nap in... with some sunscreen on, of course. But it was a perfect day for a walk. An even better one for a ride, but he didn't know if Diluc could actually touch his bike or if he'd just go through it. Frankly, he didn't understand the rules on contact for the spirit, and when he tried to ask Diluc all he got was "Some things tire me out."
Some birds flew overhead, singing and flitting about each other. One dove into his view in a flash of red and Kaeya yelped, practically jumping out of his skin. He earned some looks from a passing elderly couple as well as Diluc himself. "Surprised me, that's all," He said sheepishly. He ignored the concerned stare that bored into him as he rounded a corner.
They were in a residential district, the street lined with quaint buildings reminiscent of vintage Mondstat architecture. A lovely part of town, but Kaeya didn't want to live anywhere that might have a homeowner's association. He really didn't get along with soccer moms.
"What street are we on?" Diluc asked suddenly, breaking Kaeya from his thoughts. He looked around, before spotting a sign across the way at the corner, squinting against the sunlight as he peered at it. "Spring Way?"
"1295 Spring Way... or was it 96?" Diluc murmured to himself thoughtfully. They had stopped at this point, Kaeya shifting to lean against a stone fence wall. He watched as Diluc's lips curved into a frown - don't stare at his lips that's weird - and after a few moments he spoke again. "Might be 96? I know someone who lives out here. I think."
Well, thinking was all they had to go on, so Kaeya straightened back up. "Alright, let's check it out."
1296 Spring Way was a large pristine white house, complete with a spacious porch and a lovely garden. However Diluc made a face. "I don't know, this might be wrong."
"Why don't we check first?"
Kaeya knocked on the door, and an older man answered, glaring suspiciously at Kaeya. "What do you want?"
"Oh I'm terribly sorry to bother you." Kaeya flashed his winning smile, hoping he can get something out of this man. "But I was wondering if you knew someone. Red hair, bit shorter than me-" "Hey!" "-Name is-"
The door swung fully open, and the man looked almost afraid. "Who told you? Who set you up to this? Was it my wife? How much is she paying you? Listen whatever it is come back later tonight and I'll pay you triple that to keep your mouth shut."
With that he slammed the door shut in Kaeya's face. Diluc looked mortified, and Kaeya just stared for a bit before bursting into laughter. "I didn't peg you for a homewrecker, Diluc," he teased, mirth in his eye.
Diluc glared at Kaeya. "I'm not! I think... oh god I hope not." His shoulders slumped. "Oh archons, was I a lonely homewrecker?"
"Well I'm not certain but I'm about to be funded for a few months later tonight." Kaeya grinned at Diluc. "Though I assure you, you don't seem the type to go for that. You're too..." he made a vague gesture with his hands. "You know. Not that that's a bad thing."
Diluc sighed and nodded slowly. "Yeah, I suppose. But I could have sworn..."
"How about we look elsewhere for any other leads?" Kaeya cut off his train of thoughts. As funny as the idea of Diluc being someone's sugar baby was, he didn't want to see the man upset. Diluc nodded in silence, and they continued down the street.
Across from 1296 Spring Way was a quaint brick home labeled with the numbers 1295. Unbeknownst to the two Barbara was stepping out to collect her mail.