Chapter Text
Ever since Jean gave them the green light to venture around the broken islands of the archipelago, Aether had been wandering around aimlessly. He was more than thankful that Paimon decided to join Klee in catching the fish and making food, or so for Paimon’s case it was more of eating it instead.
The wind flowing as he walked was comforting, but it wasn’t the comfort Aether longed for. He tilted his head back to look into the night sky that shone brightly with its little stars. It was such a pleasant sight...for a short moment.
The shining stars reminded him too much about his sister...and how they used to be before the unknown god interfered.
We were so close… and free… jumping from world to world.
Whomever you are...whatever you are… why?
Aether shook his head to clear those dreadful thoughts. His eyes were already turning into a mini ocean as if the ocean around them wasn’t enough. With his gloved hands, Aether rubbed his eyes gently and took a deep breath to compose himself.
“There you are, my favorite traveller. I didn’t expect to run into you here. If you’re not busy, care to join me for a stroll?” Kaeya approached Aether, giving him a smile as usual.
Aether tilted his head, he himself wasn’t expecting Kaeye here either and he had no reason to turn down his offer since some company would be nice.
“You weren’t stalking me were you?” Aether couldn’t help the tease as he smirked to Kaeya who raised his hands in defense.
A small chuckle escaped Kaeya’s lips. “Hey don’t accuse me of stalking. I was merely walking and saw you here. Come on, the ocean is nice.”
Kaeya walked ahead, Aether followed beside him.
The walk was ironically silent.
Aether expected for Kaeya to start a conversion but the Cavalry Captain was silent.
How un-Kaeya of him.
Speaking of Kaeya, Aether wondered if he came across Diluc or did anything to… piss… the pyro user. Since they were stuck together on the island before Aether and Jean could arrive, they sure needed their own private time.
“Have you seen Diluc anywhere?” Kaeya asked, catching Aether’s thoughts off guard. Before Aether could reply, Kaeya spoke again. “It’s alright don’t answer it, he’s probably around somewhere beating hilichulrs or abyss mages.”
Did Kaeya slip some form of…
Aether didn’t reply and simply nodded to Kaeya, walking beside him before stopping when Kaeya stopped to crouch when he saw a shell. He picked it up and waved it at Aether’s face.
“Look a shell! Shall we collect these and bring them to Klee? Who knows she might like it or we can bug Master Diluc with it.” Kaeya said as he started collecting a few shells and dumping them on Aether’s arms.
It’s back to Master Diluc now?
Aether shook his head and his lips couldn't help to form a smile watching Kaeya finding some shells. He looked around for some shells as well while using his scarf as a makeshift bag to carry them all.
“I never knew Captain Kaeya was interested in shells, but then again, who knows what other secret hobbies you have?” Aether teased, earning another chuckle from Kaeya.
“Why Aether, is it surprising I have a somewhat hobby. Tell me, have you collected seashells for fun?” Kaeya asked.
Aether thought about it, the closest was when he and Lumine collected artifacts from each world as a memory of their travels. Although… The only artifact from Teyvat was separation.
Without realizing, Aether was clenching the shells and staring at the sandy land. His head was lost in his thoughts remembering all the times he had fun with Lumine.
If she were here… would she be collecting these seashells with me?
With us?
“Aether?” Hearing Kaeya’s voice, Aether snapped up and shook his head. “You spaced out.” Kaeya pointed out the obvious that made Aether rolled his eyes and flash a smile.
“To answer your question… I used to collect items with my sister as we traveled as a memoir of the places we visited, but ever since we were separated… The only things I collected were things to help me survive. “ Aether muttered.
All he heard now was the wind’s voices. He wasn’t sure if Venti was talking to him at this point; he didn't speak wind. What he didn’t expect instead, was Kaeya’s silence. He expected him to comment something instantly but he wouldn’t deny was thankful for pause.
“Well then Aether, shall we collect some for the fun of it?” Kaeya asked and tossed Aether another shell. A warm smile spread across Aether’s lips as he continued collecting the seashells till his makeshift bag was full.
When Kaeya noticed it was full, he suggested for them to head back and glady created his infamous ice bridge across the waters.
“So Kaeya,” Aether started. “When did you start collecting seashells for fun?” Since Kaeya asked him earlier, Aether felt that it was fair to ask him the same question. What he didn’t expect was Kaeya’s being tense for a second that he tried to hide but Aether noticed it instantly.
He knew how uncomfortable it was to talk about something that made one… tense up, so he tried to shift the topic. “Umm, it's fine if you don’t want to talk about it. But these shells are really pretty-”
“Aether.” Kaeya interrupted once again before continuing when Aether was looking at him. “Do you miss your sibling?” He asked.
Isn’t the answer obvious- wait
“Kaeya… do you… happen to miss Diluc? The two of you are siblings and I’m assuming the two of you were close.”
Silence filled between them for a second. Kaeya of course didn’t stop the ice bridge till they reached the shore. It would be a shame if they both drowned in the middle of the heartfelt conversation.
“We used to collect shells together whenever we came across a shore during the travels with his father. We would compete to see who collected the most shells or who could find the most beautiful shell… you should have seen how bright his smile was.”
How long… No I can’t imagine how long he held it in… Diluc too…
“I assume when you find your sister, you’ll be together with her again and return home back to how your life used to be. Unfortunately…”
“Kaeya, you want things with Master Diluc to return to how it used to be… don’t you?” His soft voice asked.
Kaeya’s eye widened, but he wasn’t surprised at the question.
“I can only wish for it, I don’t think Diluc will ever want to return to how it used to be. Well just look at him disappearing off as if Albedo’s talent rubbed off him.”
A long sigh escaped Aether’s lips as he ran his gloved hand down his face, shaking his head to Kaeya who was giving him a look.
“Maybe he’s being Albedo 2.0 because you kept bantering him. Have you… well talked to him? Sanely talked to him, I mean.”
Kaeya looked at Aether, the blond traveller wasn’t wrong in that area. He supposed he never once had a conversation with Diluc without getting on the other’s nerves intentionally.
“I’m going to try something, if anything goes wrong I’ll take responsibility for it.” Aether stated firmly.
Kaeya looked up to him with a small smirk as he was about to ask when Aether grabbed his wrist and pulled him to a different route.
“How feisty Aether. Where are we headed to?”
Aether glanced at Kaeya with a smirk as he continued to drag him, leading him to the waverider.
“I know you can make ice bridges but this will be faster. Get in.”
Kaeya for once obliged to Aether’s request not without constantly questioning the blonde. It didn’t take more than half an hour for them to reach their destination on another island of the archipelago. Aether got off the boat with Kaeya and the first thing that caught their eyes was fiery red hair from the distance.
“Is that… Master Diluc? Aether, why are we here? If you’re asking him to join us you’ll be wasting your precious time.” Aether shook his head and crossed his arms.
“I’m not here to ask him to join us. Maybe later, yes. But for now… ” Aether patted Kaeya’s back before pushing him closer towards Diluc’s area without letting the redhead notice them. “You will be talking to Master Diluc without the banters. I know it won’t fix things, it may not even fix even a tiny percentage but if it’ll get that guilt and longing out of your chest, then you need to talk to him.”
Aether took a deep breath before continuing. “Like I said, I’ll take the responsibility if anything goes wrong. You two need to talk.”
For once in Kaeya’s life, he was speechless. It wasn’t that what Aether said wasn’t right but… he wasn’t sure if he could just step to Diluc without them ending up in another passive aggressive argument. Since their dear traveller requested him and surely he wouldn’t abandon him with Diluc alone, Kaeya took a deep breath and nodded.
“Alright alright. I’ll make no promises though, but for you, I’ll try.” Kaeya said as Aether gave him an assuring smile, patting his back and nudging his head towards Diluc’s direction.
“I’ll be here. Go ahead.” With that said, Kaeya took a deep breath and made his way towards Diluc.
He made sure his steps was silent enough till he was closer to Diluc and made his presence known by stepping onto the wet sand.
“Master Diluc! How depressing of you to be here.”
From the distance between the sworn brothers… Aether facepalmed.
Diluc groaned at Kaeya’s presence, crossing his arms and turning his head away. “I’m sure there are other islands for you to venture around. Even if you are attempting to relax here, there’s no need to… show yourself.”
“How cold for a pyro vision holder. Sad that only your hair is soft and fluffy instead of your whole personality. Maybe you would be more lovable don’t you think? Even Klee calls you strange grown up.”
Diluc was merely inches from drawing his vision at Kaeya as he did before. He ran his palm down his face, letting out an exasperated sigh and looked at Kaeya.
“Play around all you want. I’m leaving so I won’t have to hear anymore from you.” Diluc picked up his pace and was about to get off the island, but he slowed down hearing Kaeya’s footsteps getting closer to his own.
“Wait Diluc- …” Kaeya called out and paused. Diluc didn’t bother stopping but he did slow his pace.
For once, Kaeya was at a loss for words. Aether was right when he needed to talk it out with Diluc but the right words weren’t coming out to make who was once his close brother to stay. His mouth opened and closed, contemplating the right words. Diluc was walking further and further, Kaeya can’t lose the chance and encouragement Aether supported him with.
“Do you want to collect shells with me!?” Kaeya blurted out.
Diluc stopped on his tracks and glanced back, narrowing his eyes at Kaeya. “You already asked me that on the other island and I’m not interested.”
Kaeya shook his head at Diluc’s words which didn’t go unnoticed by the redhead.
“I don’t want to collect shells… I guess it was just an excuse to spend… spend some time with you?” Kaeya muttered the last few words barely louder than a whisper but loud enough to be heard by Diluc who turned fully towards Kaeya, looking at him with his arms crossed before he turned his gaze to the ocean.
“For what? We had our agreement . Do you want more intel or something because I can promise you that-”
“I want to spend time just being beside you, like we used to… as brothers. Diluc, I won’t lie that I didn’t miss those times, I won’t lie that I regret telling you about me either.” Kaeya finally spoke, taking a deep breath before he continued. “I know we are through but I wish for just one day we can be like how we used to be, just smiling and playing with each other.”
Diluc paused.
He wasn’t expecting this from Kaeya. Sure on Diluc’s part, he kept his feelings deep within himself. When he saw how Kaeya was when he returned, he assumed Kaeya … he assumed Kaeya felt nothing by what happened and after all that happened when his father died.
Diluc wasn’t cold hearted, he himself missed the bright moments they shared. He couldn’t fully blame Kaeya for what happened and what was revealed, but it was too much for him at that time. He couldn’t blame himself for being selfish either.
The silent pause between them was so awkward that even Aether was tempted to approach them, but since no swords or claymore was drawn out, he could stay where he was.
Diluc let out a soft sigh this time. Kaeya frowned slightly and shook his head.
“Well Master Diluc pardon me for taking up your time then. I suppose I’ll go and find Ae-”
“I saw some… nicer shells at Twinning Isle.” Diluc said softly.
Hearing him, Kaeya tilted his head slightly which earned a scoff from Diluc.
“Don’t make me repeat myself.”
Kaeya let out a chuckle as he nodded towards Diluc. “ Well then, there’s a boat back there and I think… well I hope Aether is still waiting there.”
“Before we go there,” Diluc started as he walked closer to Kaeya but their distance still remained. Although now it was Diluc’s turn to be lost for words. He didn't know where he should begin.
“I… I have disliked you ever since that fateful day. Everything went crumbling down and your actions after his death didn’t make it any better. Even if I know your intentions and origins. Well, I won’t deny that even I… I missed the times when we were younger… and happy.” His eyes avoided Kaeya’s and Kaeya simply listened to Diluc without making any remarks for once.
“Since Alice provided us some time in these islands, I guess we might as well.. Treasure it and spend some time together before things… might go back to how it was before the island.”
Even if it sounded temporary, Kaeya could never be more than happier to hear of this, especially from Diluc. His lips formed a gentle smile as he walked to Diluc and patted his shoulder.
“Well then my dear brother, we shouldn’t keep Aether waiting should we? Let’s show him how we used to compete for shells. I’m not letting you win this time?” Kaeya huffed and stuck out his tongue at Diluc.
Diluc raised an eyebrow at Kaeya’s action before scoffing as his lips made a small smirk. “I don’t recall you winning once. Unlike you I have two eyes to search for the shells so you can’t blame me for winning.”
“Hey! That's a privilege for two eyes!”
Hearing their playful banter, Aether couldn’t help a smile. Sure they didn’t fully make up but at least during the time they will be on these islands will be fruitful and peaceful.
Although hearing them also made Aether crouch down the rocks to stare at the sand. Kaeya and Diluc may not be agreeable to one another but they have each other always whether they admit it or not.
Lumine… why are you doing this? Do you… not want me beside you anymore?
As Aether was lost in his thoughts, Kaeya and Diluc walked towards him.
Diluc was stopped by Kaeya who held his arm back. It wasn’t hard to notice Aethers trembles, he looked at Diluc and knew Diluc noticed it as well.
“Diluc, let’s make him feel welcomed as a family too…”