Chapter Text
Diluc could feel the sweat beading on his neck, slowly getting on his nerves. He begun to lose focus on preparing drinks for the customers in front of him. Sounds of clattering glasses and chattering that once resounded through Angel's Share, started fading out. Everything felt too hot, and he felt too constricted. His many layers of clothing felt suffocating instead of providing it's usual comfort. Beads of sweat trickled down his skin, the built up irritation starting to get to his head.
Diluc's vision swam, and preparing drinks that often was a breeze for him, became harder and more tedious. His limbs felt weighed down, as if they've lost their strength. Once in a while, Diluc had to snap himself back to reality, forcing himself to keep up his appearance in front of the many people of Mondstadt. Unable to bear the crippling heat any further, Diluc unbottoned the first few buttons of his coat and undershirt, eliciting stares and whispers from various patrons. It was well-known in Mondstadt that Diluc never wears revealing clothes and would always cover up.
This caught the attention of none other than, Mondstadt's Calvary Captain, Kaeya, who was amused by Diluc's unusual behaviour. Others, who didn't know better, would simply assume Kaeya was drinking and laughing away at Angel's Share without a care in the world. Unbeknowst to them, this unassuming nature allowed him to retrieve valuable information falling carelessly from loose-lipped drunkards.
Kaeya scrutinised Diluc's every movement, noticing as he got more sluggish and restless as time went by. Angel's Share also became more crowded, with the news of the Uncrowned King of Mondstadt being bare-chested spreading like wildfire. Kaeya brushed it off until he noticed Diluc swaying slightly, bracing himself against the counter. Even then, Kaeya hesitated, knowing that approaching Diluc in public, while he was working no less, was still out of Diluc's comfort zone after their recent reconciliation.
It wasn't until he saw Diluc fall to the ground, the deafening sound of glass shattering sounding through the room, that Kaeya rushed behind the bar, disregarding his dazed and drunk façade. Kaeya kneeled down beside Diluc's still form while his mind was in a frenzy. Kaeya's heart pounded wildly in his chest as he gathered Diluc into his arms. Brows furrowed in worry, Kaeya hurriedly shook his brother. "Diluc? What's wrong? Wake up..." Diluc only continued to lay limply in Kaeya's hold, at the mercy of Kaeya's shaking. Upon receiving no response, Kaeya moved to tap Diluc's face to wake him up, only to notice that Diluc was burning hot.
Diluc usually ran at a higher temperature since he has a pyro vision, but even so high of a temperature couldn't be normal for a pyro vision wielder. The loud murmuring sound of the surrounding patrons filtered into Kaeya's mind as he looked around Angel's Share that was teeming with people. Determined to find help for Diluc, Kaeya heaved Diluc up with much effort, putting an arm under his knees and his neck. The way Diluc's head lolled back made Kaeya's heart ache, he'd never thought he would see Diluc in such a vulnerable state, especially not in a situation such as this.
It was then that Kaeya took notice of the vision clipped at Diluc's side, once covered by his coat, that was strangely glowing bright red, it's light pulsing rhythmically even though its wielder wasn't using it. Realisation dawned on Kaeya, he knew exactly what caused Diluc to suddenly collapse. A hand touched Kaeya's shoulder, which he initially intended to shrug off but didn't when he was met with Charles concerned expression. Charles seemed to realise that the best he could do was help to close the bar and sent Kaeya on his way. With Diluc in his arms, Kaeya darted through the crowd which parted to make way for him, as Kaeya rushed to Diluc's mansion not far from Mondstadt. "Hang in there 'Luc," was all Kaeya thought while carrying the dead weight of his brother in his arms, wishing that the situation wasn't as bad as he thought.