Archive of Our Own ^beta

Kaeya watched with a heavy heart as he watched a blurb of red and pink exit the front gates of the city, their respective steads waiting for them beyond the gates. They stood out against the snowy backdrop that graced the land of Mondstadt.

It has been two months since Diluc, Master of Dawn Winery, had taken Diona, Bartender of the Cat’s Tail in as his own child. He remembers the rainy day in last week of the 7th month when Diona came bursting into Angel’s Share completely drenched, crying her eyes out and immediately running and clinging onto the redhead. Kaeya of course had to try to get involved but was quickly snubbed away by Diluc as he picked up the balling young bartender and made his way to the backroom. Charles was there to enforce the order that no one, not even the knights were allowed back there until he came out.

With that both bartends disappeared. Kaeya had tried to sneak back there but Charles had Patton come inside and stand by the door to the backroom, effectively barring the Captain out. That was the only way into the backroom, there were no windows or even another door. So, as much as Cryo user wanted to figure out what was going on, he, like everyone else, was forced to wait.

Fifthteen minutes later, Diluc came back out. He looked torn and there were tears in his eyes but Diona had calmed down to sniffles. She still clung onto the redhead like a lifeline. Walking over to Kaeya, the Tavern Owner relayed what he had been told. Her father Draft had been killed in a Hunting accident. Or at least that was what the other Hunters had said. Diona said things didn’t add up right because the Hunters weren’t telling her everything. Saying she was too young to understand it all...even Olaf, her distant relative newly discovered, was saying it wasn’t right to keep the truth from her and demanded it himself. The other hunters still declined speaking about it. That was when she ran all the way to the City knowing Diluc would be there.

After the information was given, Diluc demanded an investigation into the incident as well as that was fully transparent otherwise he would not be trusting the knight with anything else important. Also, Diona was going to stay with him until she said otherwise. Kaeya, of course, was going to argue that the placement of Diona was not Diluc’s choice to make. He even reached out to take the younger one away from the Pyro user before the young girl exclaimed loudly that she wanted to stay with redhead...Kaeya, nor anyone else in the Tavern could argue.

The Captain dropped his arms to his side and relented, saying he would make sure the investigation was handled properly. Kaeya was going to pay for his drink but Diluc said it was ‘on the house’ because the Captain was looking into the matter immediately and not pushing it off. Like he could have done with how late it was. With a flourished thank you the navy haired one left the tavern and walked out into the light rain.

Kaeya...was beyond confused. Diona for all he knew had not liked Diluc at all. He saw that the two had begun walking back home together in the evenings in which they both worked. Something that had been going on for a few months though if the timing was correct. It was strange but Diluc was still very protective over the younger population. Something could have happened one night and the redhead happened to be there but the little kitten, though young, was no pushover. Nothing terribly bad had happened that Kaeya was aware of. It was driving the Captain spare not knowing the reason behind this trust the two of them had with each other.

It took speaking with Rosaria soon after the event for Kaeya to understand.

Behind the church a couple hours after Diluc closed the bar and left the city, Kaeya was venting his frustrations to the wayward sister. She filled him in on what she knew. Apparently, the eve of Diluc’s birthday...the eve of the anniversary of Cerpus’ Death, the redhead had made his way to his father’s grave. There was mist hanging heavy in the air. Everyone was inside for the night. Not even thieves were trying their luck. The heavy fog made it difficult to see where anything was and there was an equally high chance to either get away or run into the city guard. Better yet, when they would run into her, which was something Rosaria was counting on as she silently prowled the streets.

Diluc had closed up the tavern and spent a good amount of time cleaning...being slower than usual. As he donned his coat and finished locking up the man made his way to the gate before stopping. Even though he couldn’t see 5 feet in front of him, his steps turned and he found himself heading toward the church. Diona had stayed late to help Miss Margret cleanup but her employer wasn’t feeling the greatest. So instead of helping, the little cat shooed the woman away and did it all herself. It took a little longer than she was used to with the help but she still managed and just in time to see a certain redhead making his way past the Cat’s Tail.

The little cat was curious as to why the man was still walking around this late at night and of course had to put her nose into it. After all, she was trying to take down the wine industry, Diluc was a major component to it’s inner workings. So there she went stalking after the man from a distance. Rosaria obviously found this suspect and began following as well. She didn’t think that either would do anything but knowing what day it was now...it peaked her interest.

Diona had snuck up behind the red head and watched the Winery owner silently cry, whispering to the grave words not even Rosaria could make out. Unlike the Sister though...Diona was brave enough to walk forwards. The little girl may have hated Diluc because of the wine he made, it didn’t mean she wanted to see him sad.

Rosaria watched and listened in on the whole thing...

“Hey, why are you crying all alone?” the pink haired feline asked, Rosaria watched as she slowly approached Diluc who was a little startled by the interruption. She reached over and brushed some of the tears off his face, her own sadness coming out as well. The young girl must be wondering what had caused one of the most distant men in all of Teyvat to cry?

“Miss Diona, forgive me, I didn’t know...” began the Heir as he reached up to clear his eyes from the build up of tears. She watched as the older one pawed at his eyes before she turned her attention to the gavestone.

“Cerpus Ragnvindr...who is he?” she asked, looking at the grave stone. The last name was a dead give-away that it was a relative of some kind. From seeing the normally stoic male break down into tears it had to be someone in the family he was close to or very important to him.

“He’s my father…” Diluc admitted softly, waiting to see what her reaction was going to be.

“You lost your papa!” The pink haired feline exclaimed in shock. She didn’t shout but she was louder than most would have been on a gloomy night. Diona must have known that Diluc was alone but did she really think his father had retired or something of the like? Rosaria wondered, after all it was fairly common knowledge. Many had spoken of the late Ragnvindr in comparison to his son but Diona must have really thought he had been alive and people were mad that Diluc seemed to be more strict than his father. Seeing as the feline was still just a child...maybe they kept quiet about the death around her.

“Yes…” affirmed the redhead, “You were much younger when it happened…he died trying to protect me. I had just turned of age, just became an adult myself when it happened.”

“Wait!” Diona stopped and stared at the headstone. After reading the date of death, her ears fell flat against her head, “...he died on your birthday...”

“Yes, he did.”

“I’m sorry...are you going to be okay?”

“Thank you for your concern...I’ll be alright,” muttered Diluc, “I have plans to stay away from the city for the next few days. More than likely I can find work to do around the Winery. I’d rather not be here on such a day in all honesty.”

“Don’t you have anyone else? Family? Friends?” she asked with all sincerity. It was at that instant, Diluc was silent. His head dropped slightly before he shook it back and forth gently. Rosaria was a little surprised at this admission but kept herself quiet. After all, Diluc would explain. He always did when it came to a child.

“No...no, I don’t…” admitted Diluc, “Even those I thought I had...turned out to be fair weather and couldn’t handle the storm I had endured.”

“You’re all alone?” Diona questioned again, a sadness to her voice causing it to warble a little.

“I still have Adelinde and Elzer...they served my father but they don’t understand everything fully,” Diluc gave a depericating laugh, “Ha, if I had a choice I would have sold the Winery years ago and moved away but that is the last remaining thing I have of my father...and he loved Mondstadt. These are all I have left…”

Without thinking she launched herself forward and wrapped her little arms around his neck, giving the young man a tight hug. Diluc froze for a moment before he returned the gesture he was given. The renegade sister from the church continued to watch. This was something she had not counted on developing but seeing some of the tension release from the shoulders of the winery heir...maybe something good would come of this. The hug lasted a good minute before Diona made a move to let go. Diluc released his grip on her as soon as she started to end the hug.

“Thank you,” he said gratefully.

“You say that as if you don’t get hugs,” the pink haired feline replied with a little bit of a sarcastic huff.

“I really don’t. Everyone at the Winery is relaxed, yes, but still view me as their boss over their friend. Unless it is a surprise one from Adelinde or Elzer, hugs are indeed rare. I don’t allow too many hugs randomly either...some people don’t know when enough is enough.”

Diona puffed up her cheeks a little at this information. She must have thought it was ridiculous. Seeing as she was young, she probably thought that hugs had to be normalized far more than what they were...or they were something she herself wished were normal. Without much of a response coming from her after that admission the young man took out his pocket watch as he stood up. Rosaria knew it was getting late. If he were going to leave it would have to be soon unless he wished to be caught by well wishers she knew were still out and about.

“It’s late,” Diluc said in lue of anything else. Both of them would need rest as the next few days for the heir at least would be at the winery. Rosaria knew Diona’s work schedule was chaotic at best given how many random adventures she would go off on, looking for ingredients.

“Fine then, let’s get going.” Diona stated grabbing the redhead’s hand before marching them both towards the main gate of the city. She was dragging the redhead right past Rosaria’s hiding place but neither bartender would notice a Sister among the church grounds as suspicious. Even this late at night, if they noticed her at all.

“What are you doing?” It startled him a moment, being tugged around by such a small thing. It even had the sister doing a double take.

“I’m walking you home,” Diona said proudly, “You shouldn’t be walking home alone when you’re upset. Who knows what could happen.”

“The Winery is a fair distance from Mondstadt, Miss Diona, and I know you don’t like alcohol, I wouldn’t want you to be uncomfortable.”

“I don’t like it but I understand why you keep it running now,” the younger bartender stated. The hidden one knew that this small detail only changed a few things in the little cat. She still hated alcohol with a passion but knowing it was really the only thing Diluc had left of his father...she’d wanna keep it going too if she was in his place.

“I don’t like alcohol either, it is why I am trying very hard to push non-alcoholic options but currently only have three that are available.”

“REALLY!!” exclaimed Diona before she started rambling while trying to keep in step beside the retreating Heir, she took two quick steps to match the single stride of the elder. As they made their way from the Cathedral and out the front gates. Gone was the sadness in the redhead’s demeanor and an amused air took over.

Rosaria informed him that Diluc had made sure Diona had gotten home before heading back to the Winery himself. She was falling asleep on the walk so he carried her back to her place. The next day however the little cat paid a visit to the winery and a friendship had been formed. Diluc had begun taking time out of his schedules for Diona, they would go hunting together, practice archery (Because of course Diluc had mastered that when he was little), or even just sit and talk about juice for celestia’s sake. Diluc gained some ideas involving Sunettia and importing lavender melons from Inazuma to try to make a new drink. Diona was esatic.

On one hand it was wonderful to hear that Diluc had someone else he had opened up to, even just a little bit. However, it stung the Cavalry Captain greatly to know Diluc felt he had no one else. Not even Aether counted, though it didn’t help that their mutual blonde associate was currently bouncing all over Teyvat. Knowing Diluc, the redhead probably didn’t want to bother the young man as he was searching desperately for his sister. Now, perhaps Kaeya’s methods were less than desirable, mainly raising the ire in his former best friend than anything else. That didn’t mean though he didn’t care.

Thanking Rosaria for enlightening him, he left and when he was at a safe distance he let his displeasure show.

Kaeya was angry at first, how dare Diluc think that he had it any easier when the redhead disappeared on them all, all those years ago. In his anger the only one he could think to go to was their old mutual friend, the one that had been there for him when he had no one else. Of course he waited till the next day but Kaeya had gone to Jean with what he had learned from Rosaria because this affected the Acting Grand Master as well. After all, Diluc claimed he had no one, meaning he didn’t even acknowledge Jean as someone who cared about him. The Captain had not meant to interrupt Jean and Lisa’s tea time...but it was a good thing he did in the end.

It took the wise words of Lisa to stop Kaeya and Jean blaming Diluc for their broken trio, to bring them to the conclusion...it was their own fault for the distance between them. They never showed Diluc how vulnerable they had been when he came back. Not once mentioning the hard times or the heart aches. Expecting that the young man that had left would be the same one to return and pick up the pieces he didn’t know were broken. He no longer saw them as dear friends because when he came back...all of them acted like their worlds had not been destroyed as much as Diluc’s had been. So as far as Diluc had been concerned...they never cared.

Jean and Kaeya both felt a little guilty. They never thought of it like that. It was true. Their positions had never given them many chances to break down. Everyone always looked up to them and they had to wear a mask of competence even when they were breaking on the inside. Only alone with each other did those fallacies crumble off their faces. In their sanctuary did they allow their minds to wander on where their missing third piece was. Always wondering what Diluc would have been like when he returned. How when he came back it would be just like the old days. They must have thought in some capacity that he’d see straight through them and understand without uttering a syllable of the pain they had experienced. When Diluc did return though...it wasn’t what they were expecting.

With Diluc’s return they came face to face with someone they didn’t know could exist. When compared to his past self that was such a bright, open beam of sunshine, who was in front of them now was someone completely opposite. This man was closed off, cold and stoic. Getting any emotion out of him other than irritation was difficult and no one knew then the last time he smiled was. Only when young Aether came into the picture did they see even a shimmer of the old Diluc...the one they were waiting for. The one that refuses to come home or maybe can never come back. Fundamentally, Diluc had changed as a person and only the little glimmers remained that would periodically peek through the cracks of the redhead's damaged soul.

Lisa concluded that Diluc probably never talks about the past and what happened because everyone wants the sunny Cavalry Captain of old. Yet, no one is willing to deal with the result of their own actions brought to life in the form of their friend. It was the corruption of the Knights that started it when it came to his father’s death however, no one went after the culprit right away. It was whatever happened between Kaeya and Diluc that rainy night years ago. It takes two to tango after all, Diluc would have never left the way he had with no contact unless something had happened. So, in conclusion Diluc was trying to move forward with everyone else trying to drag him into the past.

All were at fault and no one was budging. Diluc could even be thinking that the two intentionally left him behind and upon his return were trying to find a place for him in their group. A place where they could monitor him...because Kaeya’s breaking and entering, as well as his apparent disregard for whatever boundaries Diluc has tried putting in place, was probably making him think he was only wanted to be watched and controlled. Kaeya cringed as Jean exasperatedly called out his name. Of course Lisa would know what he had done to Diluc, revealing it to Jean this way was not something he wanted though. Still, it brought up a valid point. A person can only draw conclusions on the evidence they had been given. With their actions as well as the actions of Mondstadt...it really did look like no one had cared.

The brunette smiled sweetly and pushed forward. One couldn’t hold Diluc accountable to fix everything when everyone else wouldn’t admit to their own faults. If they wanted a relationship with the redhead again other things had to be done. Annoying him to the point he kicks you from the tavern, breaking and entering, and only going to him when the knights can’t solve something on their own are not good ways to rebuild the relationship. Respect it when he says no. Honor the boundaries he has put in place. Stop going to him to see if he will come back to the knights in one form or another. Diluc will never trust the knights with his own problems but he had told the Traveler to make sure one of the knights were with him on his quests. He holds little Aether in such high regards after all, the heir would never offer lackluster advice to their little cutie.

Lisa calmly sipped on her tea as the two leading figures of Mondstadt fell silent. They…couldn’t argue. Everything pointed to Diluc trying to find his footing in a place he used to call home but everyone cast aside the man he was in favor of a ghost that would never come home. Yes, Diluc had kept his distance when he first came back, who wouldn’t after so long. Never knowing where he stood with people. Expecting changes but not knowing what those changes will be. Then to have people try to force him into who he was before...poking and prodding him with jokes and jabs at who he was now versus who he used to be. He could only come to the conclusion, no one really wanted him and so he kept everyone at arm's length.

As far as the two of them knew, the Diluc of the past was gone forever. There were bits of that warmth buried in the heart and soul of the redhead, the fundamental base that even the cold and stoic man had to be built upon. That foundation was heavily cracked and filled in with distrust to help shield what little of the soft boy from before still lingered. Diluc couldn’t risk getting hurt again. He didn’t want to be hurt again and that was all anyone who used to know him seemed to do, hurt him...in one form or another. Thinking that no one truly cared or loved him unless he was controlled or had something to give them. That...was a lot to take in.

Kaeya left tea time with mixed feelings. He was beyond grateful for Lisa's clear cut explanation he could have used a lot earlier. Yet, the Captain was left very hurt. His past with Diluc left him biased and no amount of self awareness was going to clear things up as well as Lisa had. Then again, Diluc and Lisa had a fairly good relationship. She knew his boundaries and he never pushed hers. Another thought hit Kaeya, no wonder the brunette could see him differently...she wasn’t really around him growing up. So Lisa was never looking for the boy of the past with the sunshine smile.

Talking with Lisa also made it a little bit clearer to Kaeya that he was the instigator of his and Diluc’s sour relationship. Diluc had one way of dealing with things and Kaeya’s way was clashing with the redheads. The Captain was afraid of being hurt...and so was the one he was hurting. Unlike Diluc who was pushing him away to protect himself from the pain, Kaeya was going out of his way to inflict pain onto the one who he felt had abandoned him. If he could tease and badger the man at any opportunity he would. No wonder Diluc was always on the defensive. Like at the Windblume festival...when he was defending himself when it came to the Ballads of the Breeze contest. A simple question turning it on the querer, making them uncomfortable for asking. Why didn’t Kaeya notice it sooner?

‘I do know how to play music. Is that so strange?’

By happenstance the Cavalry Captain ran into Adelinde later on that week by the market. Steering her away from the crowd they spoke about that night long ago. He needed to know what her thoughts were on the situation. That is when the Cryo user had found out he was wrong...Diluc had never followed through on those hurtful words that he slung at Kaeya that fateful night. There was a letter left to Adelinde she found the day after Diluc vanished telling her that both Kaeya and he had said some hurtful and hate filled things to each other the night prior but they were both angry and hurt. She concluded that both were grieving differently about Cerpus’ death and some words came out wrong which spiraled the situation. Not wrong but not entirely correct either.

Diluc said in the letter he didn’t know if his and Kaeya’s relationship would survive this but he wasn’t going to wait around and find out either...he felt broken and betrayed that night. Still, he hadn’t fully meant what he had told Kaeya and didn’t want to see him alone, to look after him if possible. Diluc was leaving for a while but he would eventually return. He needed to do some soul searching, he needed some time to get answers. By the time the head maid was able process everything Kaeya left for the knights and never returned home. So...Diluc never truly wanted Kaeya to suffer. Thanking the head maid for the insight and dismissing himself the Captain had some more blanks to fill. He knew she was watching him leave, Adelinde was more observant than people gave her credit for.

A week after talking with Lisa and a few days after the run in with Adelinde, Kaeya had to take a few days off, he had too much emotional information and not enough time to deal with it accordingly. He needed to sit down and figure out what he wanted to do, without distractions. Something that Jean was far too happy with as Kaeya rarely took time off to himself. So happily approved it without question. It was only Lisa’s knowing peridot eyes that knew the truth. She gave the Captain a smile and stated if he needed anything to let her know. Kaeya gave their Librarian a wave before exiting the building...yeah, she knew what was going on.

Getting back to his apartment was a cold reminder of everything he lost. The place was dark and sparse but he had numerous little chests littered around the place that held all the trinkets he held dear. Small chests about the size of a textbook, the same ones they used when they were looking to improve their skills. The chests were as tall as three of those books, not counting the lid. Inside the little boxes were all his treasures. One box was various little gifts from the citizens of Mondstadt. Another contained gifts from Klee. Yet another held stuff from Amber. Another from Jean...everyone who ever gave him anything more than a few times and was precious to him had their own chest that he stored their gifts in.

Bringing all of these into his apartment was probably why the kids really did think of him as a pirate.

There was a chest though that was bigger than all of them. It was the size of those ‘precious chests’ that Aether and Paimon told him about. How the little floating being of whatever Paimon was ranked treasures was beyond him but leave it to that little thing to do it. Anyway, the biggest chest in the entire apartment was filled to the brim with everything he had gotten from Diluc and more. His first sword, little trinkets from Cerpus from all the places he had been. The little slingshot gifted him that he was horrible at using. Various eye patches from countless attempts to find Kaeya one that looked good on him. Well loved stuffed animals for comfort. Dried flower crowns from Windblumes of the past. Empty wine bottles they had snuck out of the winery to try the product. Diluc’s old Captain coat...

Everything he could find that he and Diluc shared or Diluc had given him or even left behind was in that chest. It was the most special thing Kaeya had left.

Sitting down in the chair by the fireplace he almost never used, the Cryo swordsman had a lot of pieces of the puzzle he had to put together. It was obvious Diluc wasn’t going to take the first step in fixing their relationship. Kaeya had trampled all over Diluc’s wishes before and the redhead would be too cautious to try. So, it fell on to the shoulders of the Captain. Yet, before going any further into trying to repair the relationship...he had to figure out why he wanted to. He could easily just cease his actions toward Diluc and leave him alone...but Kaeya didn’t want a life without the redhead in it. He needed the heir in his life to breathe easier but why?

Kaeya without a doubt loved Diluc. Never stopped even when he could have. Shouldn’t have even fallen in the first place, yet did not ever regret it. The Captain knows he would be worse off if he never had the Ragnvindrs in life in any form. But why now was the situation bothering him? Why didn’t these feelings come around when it was just Diluc and Kaeya. What was it about Diona that made Kaeya want to start mending things now? The more he thought about it the clearer it became and even the Captain was done with himself…

The little things Diluc had done for Diona walking her home, making time for training, teaching her about the vineyard, going on expeditions with her for ingredients. The redhead was actually taking time out of his schedule for her and that was before the accident with her father. Afterwards Diluc was even more attentive to the little feline that it even made Donna jealous. He literally stepped up to the plate to make sure that the younger bartender was taken care of on levels she hadn’t experienced before. Diluc had bought her home so it wouldn’t go onto the market and made sure she had access to it. Both of them even stayed there on the weekends because that was what she wanted.

As much as Kaeya admired Diluc for everything he had done for the orphaned kitten, it also made him angry.

Because...that used to be him. The feelings the two of them as boys had shared together was deeper than anything Kaeya had felt before or since. It was love in the purest form he had ever been gifted and he didn’t think twice about it until it was gone. Whatever possessed him to spill his secret that evening, he’d never know. Maybe it was that twisted little part of him that was sadistic enough that when he saw his only light in the world in pain and wanted to make it worse. To see how much the boy could take before he broke. Not knowing the redhead was already broken. Now, seeing the affection he was without being given freely to someone else.

It was safe to say...Kaeya was jealous. He was jealous and he broke down into a self-deprecating laugh with tears threatening to fall. Oh, how the great had not realized he had never stood back up from the first fall. It was almost too much. He was jealous of a child receiving the affection he wanted. Diona deserved everything the Pyro user was doing for her, Kaeya was just mad because he wasn’t even getting a smidge of that affection and it was something he wanted. He truly is a terrible person.

Grabbing a bottle of wine from the cabinet, Kaeya lit the fireplace and sat back down. He was going to need to get drunk tonight after that realization.

That had been months ago. Now, he stood on the rampart watching the retreating pair. Watching as they headed home. Diluc had been granted guardianship over Diona by Jean who couldn’t say no to the little feline. If she wanted to stay with Diluc, that was where she would stay.

Kaeya had kept his promise and was as transparent as he could be when handling the investigation into Draff’s death. It had taken roughly a month of doing the work right but in the end he had an answer for them. He was honest when there were things they didn’t know and was not about to tell them the hunches in case they were wrong and it was something that was a harmless misunderstanding. Which a few things had turned out to be. In the end the Knights had been able to force out of the hunters what happened and a follow-up investigation had taken place. Kaeya personally delivered the news to the two bartenders.

He entered Angel’s Share that night, he had only gotten the results of the case an hour beforehand and had to finish paperwork before he was cleared to deliver the news. When he got up to the bar, Diluc was working. The redhead was about to make his Death After Noon but the Captain declined and ordered a cider for himself, that got the Owner's attention. Still, Diluc complied and asked what was going on. Kaeya said he had the results of the investigation and wanted to share them as soon as he was able but he knew both were working that night. Kaeya wasn’t going to cause a scene at the Cat’s Tail and he wasn’t going to drink until after said news was delivered. So he’s going to be having his alcohol at home. Nodding Diluc grabbed a bottle off the shelf and passed it to Kaeya. A thank you.

Kaeya stuck around after closing to help clean up and wait on Diona. She lives with Diluc now and he waits around Angel’s Share to bring back to the Winery with him unless it is the weekend. It was a weekday so the vineyard would greet them at home. Diona entered using the rear entrance and was a little surprised when she saw Kaeya there. The Captain gave her a small smile and asked her to come take a seat. He had the results of the investigation. She rushed over to a bar stool and Diluc came and stood behind her. Holding her hand for comfort. Taking a deep breath the Cryo user spoke of what he knew occured.

Draff was not drunk, alcohol played no part in his death nor was there any indication of drug use. There was that at least. He and his hunting party had stumbled upon an Abyss Mage and several hilichurls by accident. They had scouted the day prior and there had been no sign of anything in the area. If it had been only hilichurls there would have been no problem...however the elemental advantage an Abyss Mage added to the equation meant it was not going to be an easy fight. No hunter had a Vision to help. Draff died giving the other hunters time to get away, he kept the attention of the Mage on him. They didn’t tell Diona not because they didn’t want to but because they were having a hard time coming to terms with it. Draff was right behind them as they fled...they didn’t know he turned around to fight and give them more time to escape. He died a hero.

When Kaeya was done he gazed upon the sight before him. The pink haired feline had buried her head into Diluc’s coat as she lightly cried. Tears mixed into a cocktail of pain, sadness, happiness and pride. Diona was still sad but now a little pride filled her sad smile when she thought about her father. He had died to save others; she was proud that was her father. Olaf was taking over as the head huntsman, as he was being trained by Draff in everything that had changed and had caught up to his descendant's level very quickly. The Springvale hunters would be in good hands.

As Kaeya stood up to leave, the little cat let go of Diluc and quickly hugged the Captain. The Cryo user was a little taken aback but recovered and returned the hug. Diona then made the offhand comment that he didn't smell like booze that evening to which Kaeya laughed. He told her that this situation was more important than him drinking. He would have a glass or two at home before bed. Kaeya had refrained from his usual amount of alcohol to make sure the investigation was not hindered by it.

The smile he got from the little cat was worth the withdrawal he had been experiencing.

A week later he had gotten a report from one of his undercover agents that he had quietly chucked into the fire. If there was a sudden decrease in Abyss forces in the area around Springvale, Kaeya ignored it. That was something that didn’t need to be written on paper. In the end it made the village safer after all.

After the warmth he received from both bartenders for his work on the case, here was the Cavalry Captain, slowly changing his habits. It was hard but after that night Diluc seemed to tolerate him more. Like he had proven to the redhead that the Kaeya of old, the one the old Captain had relied on was still there but tucked away under layers and layers of glamour to protect himself. That was something Kaeya was grateful for because he had unknowingly got Diluc to give him another chance and the Cryo user was not going to waste it.

Kaeya started out slow. Small things. Waving goodbye and wishing safe travels to the Bartenders at the end of the day and he was still on duty. Greeting them when they came in for their shifts if he were around. Making sure that any complaints that either establishment had were addressed with as little teasing and fuss as possible. Keeping an eye on Diona when something happened and informing her guardian if needed. Those little things were accepted graciously and were returned. Diluc greeting lost its bite and was amicable. The situation was improving and with the acceptance of those small changes some bigger ones started to be implemented.

When Diluc said it was time for everyone to leave the Tavern to close up. Kaeya stood up, placed his money on the counter and left without a fight, without a tease, without a backhanded compliment. Just left with a nod and a good night. Surprising the hell out of the Tavern Owner. The next few times were the same and the Winery Owner had backed off on his hen pecking at the Captain’s drinking habits, even giving him a single glass more than usual. Kaeya pretended not to notice but made sure the payment amount was indeed correct.

Something happened at the winery and Diluc told him to mind his own, it was taken care of. The Cavalry Captain just left the incident form with the red head and asked it be filled out and returned to HQ when he had time. After all, all incidents have to be filed in case a pattern emerges. The next day it was returned to the Captain by one of the winery workers in a sealed velop with more information than he had ever pulled from the redhead when he badgered and teased him in similar fashion.

Each time Diluc’ boundaries were respected...the redhead became a little softer, a little warmer. After a couple months of this Instead of a scowl, there was a small smile when Diluc noted that Kaeya was in the tavern. The owner welcomed him without the usual barrier. The Navy haired Captain could have cried tears of joy. Jean had noticed the shift as well and was overjoyed at the slight differences that she saw and all Lisa did was give that knowing smile pushing him that little bit. A signal to keep up the good work. It had now become commonplace to see the Cavalry Captain and the Winery Heir walking around Mondstandt in good company. Many think the tragedy that befell Diona being the reason the two had set aside their ire...it was something that hit far too close to home after all.

However, with as much progress that had been made in the relationship between the two, there was a side effect that Kaeya had never counted on. The nightmares. Kaeya always had nightmares, something he shared with Diluc when they were younger. When they were young enough to sleep in the same bed, Kaeya’s nightmares were kept at bay by sleeping next to the little redhead. Diluc was that warm steady fire in the middle of a dark cavern. It had stayed that way once they were in the knights as well. Once a week Kaeya had to be next to his Captain to keep the nightmares tolerable.

Until that horrible night.

After that the nightmares were so much worse than anything he had dealt with up to that point. He knew he would have never truly betrayed Mond and Ragnvindrs. It became even more clear to him since that night because anytime he had to go out of the country on Knightly business, the visions were truly horrible…he would have gone insane if he went with Varka. A short time after Diluc left the country, Kaeya began to self medicate with alcohol. Drinking himself to sleep so he wouldn’t have to deal with it. Yet, that could only work for so long. As his alcohol tolerance went up the nightmares became harder to avoid.

Now, with his reduction in his wine intake these horrid visions were coming back with a vengeance. Countless scenarios that ended in either his own demise or of the two bartenders he was trying to remain in good graces with. He cared for them more than they would ever know. A touch more liquor might be able to help him sleep dreamlessly but there would be a price he was not willing to pay. Not drinking as much seemed to please Diluc and he would lose that if he picked up the bottle by the neck again. He knew this because as he was told once by Diona, as he was escorting her to Angel’s Share one night on his patrol route, that his favorite redhead was worried about his health and the notable reduction of alcohol made Diluc relax a little more. For that information he parted with a sweet he was saving for later, the bonbon was immediately gobbled up by the feline a thank you following soon after.

A warm feeling from deep within made Kaeya very happy with that choice even if he did suffer because of it. As much of a pain it was, the Captain would be sure to keep his liquor consumption under control. It made him an easier person to be around and it was making it easier to be around the redhead he adored. Besides, if he picks up his old habits, he may end up hurting the Winery owner again. Kaeya had already done it once...that was too much already. He’d never go back to how he had treated Diluc before but that didn’t mean this situation would be easy for him to deal with.

“Sir Kaeya…stay after for a moment will you?” came the question from the Wine Tycoon. It was laced with something Kaeya couldn’t identify at the time because he was lost in thought.

Kaeya blinked a moment focusing on the bartender in front of him. It was a night like any other, though it was currently the Yuletide season. Mondstadt was decked out beautifully in snowflakes and ribbons. The Captain stopped in at Angel’s Share for a few drinks and for the most part kept to himself. He’d been having a rough time as of late with the nightmares...each one getting worse and worse. The temptation to drink it all away was there but he didn’t want to risk it. Still his silence that night must have caught Diluc off guard. Normally, he chatted with the man a little bit before he slid off to a corner of the room to watch everything and keep the peace. Today though he had not left the bar counter and was a touch distracted.

Of course being lost in thought and not talking, save to ask for a refill, would have probably gotten him noticed anyway. Giving a nod and small smile to Diluc made the redhead return he gestures before going back to take care of kicking the rest of the patrons out of the bar. Kaeya turned his attention to finishing up what was left in his cup, not willing to waste the amount of alcohol he allowed himself. Every little drop took a sliver off of his problems at the moment. Though he was not going to be so brazen to ask for another glass...there was wine at home he could partake of if needed but he had made it this far.

“What is it you wished for Master Diluc?” asked Kaeya as he finished his drink and handed the cup off to his redhead who returned to the bar after locking the doors. It was a relatively tame night more sweeping to be done than anything else. No one had puked or even broke a glass, so mopping could get pushed back a little with no off-putting smell invading their senses.

“We’re alone, Kaeya, you can drop the title,” the redhead began as he took the glass to clean it, “What’s wrong? You don’t look well.”

“M-...Diluc…” Kaeya started, dropping the title as requested, before he averted his eyes to gaze at the bar top that now looked very interesting to him, “It's really nothing you need to worry about.”

Kaeya guessed he looked bad but it was still passable enough that no one else questioned him. No one else saw the stiffness held in his shoulders, the glow of his skin was feeble at best, minute bags under his visible eye that everyone missed or thought of as a trick of the lights. Diluc though was far from anyone else. The Captain had found out the redhead still knew some of his telltale signs that others, not even Jean had known. No one knew what else to look for beside the one he grew up with. After all, before the death of Master Cerpus...there was no one closer in all of Mondstadt than Diluc and Kaeya.

“Yet, I wish to worry about it, but I will respect your decision if you do not wish to tell me. I won’t force you into anything,” responded the regal redhead. Diluc’s sweet side never really disappeared, Kaeya had found. It was just buried until it needed to come out. The Cryo user felt beyond blessed that in the short time he had adjusted his behavior that it made such an impact. Diluc admitted he still cared for Kaeya on the eve of his birthday as the redhead gave Kaeya a present that evening. Just it appeared that the Captain no longer cared for him. To which Kaeya did his best to prove heir wrong in that assumption.

“Nightmares...bad ones…” Kaeya admitted in a quiet voice, he wasn’t going to block Diluc out after working so hard to gain the ability to talk to him nearly as well as they used to. Besides, it wasn’t anything new that would have startled the redhead. “I’ve had them for years as you know, just once in a while I get overwhelmed and don’t hide it nearly as well as other days. Used to just drown them in liquor but that only works for so long.”

“I’m sorry to hear that Kaeya...I really am. I wasn’t sure if they stopped tormenting you or not. As you said you’re good at hiding it. You don’t have to answer this next question,” began Diluc, “What are your nightmares about? Is there anything I can help with?”

Kaeya was silent for a moment. Was there anything Diluc could do for him? Yes, there was but the Cryo user wasn’t sure either of them were ready for that. Sleeping next to the redhead after so long without him...Kaeya wasn’t sure he could trust himself not to cling onto Diluc and be able to let go. The Captain felt things were too fragile at the moment. Still maybe just letting him know would ease the severity of them. It’s been so long he wasn’t sure what would help other than the redhead’s proximity but he wasn’t going to risk that.

“Losing you...in the worst ways possible, some of them even have Diona-” the Cryo user cut himself off, he would not go into detail about what had happened to the small feline that weasled her way into his heart, “I can’t count how many times you died in my arms in the various repeats of when I first received my vision. Speech gurgled as you were coughing up blood as I held you. Apologies spilling out of my mouth, all of them useless as your eyes dimmed and were eventually gone. Receiving news you were dead and came home in a pine box all those years you disappeared. Opening the casket and you were unmoving, not breathing...sometimes images would flash and I’d be looking at a skeleton or what was left of it. That you died shortly after you left as some of the scraps of clothing were the ones I had last seen you wearing. Trying to use your vision as a sign it wasn’t you only to have it darken as it was placed next to your body. Worst of them was the Abyss Order or Fatui were able to control you somehow and we were forced to fight. You were a puppet; unfeeling, emotionless, ruthless. Sometimes you won and I perished at your blade, you continued on still being controlled. Other times I won and I hated those the most as I often tried to save you and failed again and again. Occasionally, we both perished and as we are dying I see their spell leave your eyes and…you look so thankful...thankful that I had killed yo-”

Kaeya had choked on the last word as tears began pouring from his eyes. He removed the eyepatch to try to dry his eyes. His hidden eye had a small scar across it, nothing that would really take away from his supposed ruggish charm. It almost looked cosmetic but when he opened his right eye. There was a tell tale difference from the other. It was a little lighter in color and there was an obvious line running through the iris and pupil that ran along the same path as the scar but that line was bursting with abyss light. Sparking in the little canyon of black swirled purples. Proof that Kaeya’s ties to the Abyss ran deep but how it had created him not controlled him.

That knic on his eye wasn’t caused by Diluc soley...it was also caused by Kaeya’s new acquired vision and his initial inability to control it when it first burst forth to aid him. A piece of ice had broken off from the cluster that came into existence to protect him from the fiery blade of the upset redhead. Amazingly, he could still see out of it but it was such a telltale sign he was different he kept it hidden. Kaeya always had kept that eye hidden because it was more of a lazy eye that had a droop to it...and he didn’t want to get picked on when he was younger. You couldn’t tell the difference now looking at it but he knew. Diluc even knew because of how much he was a white knight when he was younger. Always protecting Kaeya but when Diluc needed Kaeya more than ever...the Captain wasn’t there...

As his shoulders shook with each sob and he didn’t notice when Diluc removed himself from behind the bar. The only thing that caught his attention was the familiar embrace and warmth that he had not experienced in years. Kaeya couldn’t stop himself when he gripped at the heir burying his face into the sturdy shoulder before him. The navy haired man felt a hand at the back of his head while the other arm stayed tight around his middle. Kaeya may have been a little taller than Diluc but the redhead was alway going to be the stronger one, the one that made him feel safe, That hug though...it broke more barriers in the current Captain than anything else.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry. I don’t want to lose you again,” Kaeya sobbed even though it came out muffled by the shoulder he was seeking purchase on, “I don’t think I could bear it.”

“Oh, Kaeya…” consoled the winery owner as he hugged the Captain closer to him, “I’m not going anywhere. I’m staying here. It’s going to be okay.”

They stayed like that for a while, Kaeya clinging onto Diluc and the redhead doing his best to calm the Captain. Kaeya must have nodded off, his fatigue catching up with him because the next thing he knew he was being gently shaken awake by two little hands pushing against his thigh. Before raising his head too high up Kaeya drew his hand to his face. Time practiced technique to make sure his eyepatch was in place before he greeted anyone that woke him, he made it look as if he were just rubbing his eyes.

Fingertips felt the patch that was back in place. The Captain knew he had taken it off...Diluc must have replaced it for him. The thought of that brought back that now familiar warmth he was used to feeling when Diluc did something sweet for him. It was about as warm as that iconic coat of Diluc’s that was draped over his form as Kaeya was nestled against the bar. Looking around for what woke him up, he was met with the worried icy eyes of the redhead’s young charge. Diona...when did she get here? How long was he out? What did he miss?

“When did I-? Ah, Diona, I’m sorry,” Kaeya began in a less than eloquent way but for the worried child just hearing him talking seemed to soothe her nerves.

“Are you okay?” She asked him with a serious tone, worry still woven into the spoken words, “When I came in here you were crying and then passed out on Papa Diluc.”

“I’m doing better now…truly, I’m just exhausted with a lot going on,” Kaeya replied, “I’m sorry I wasted your time. Cleaning the bar got pushed back because of me.”

“You’re not a waste of time, Kaeya,” Diluc stated curtly, “Besides, last night was mild and barely anything needed deep cleaning. A sweep and quick mop and it was done. Diona was kind enough to start sweeping up when she had gotten in. You were out for maybe 15 minutes at the most.”

Leave it to Diluc to clear that up quickly enough. It was a sweet gesture to have them both worried about him. The redhead more so as he now knew what Kaeya was going through and more than likely only said enough to make sure Diona didn’t bother him while they cleaned up. After all, the Heir had already taken care of the dishes and had washed down all the tables as people left the bar in their little groups. So yeah, he didn’t keep them that much over. Sitting up carefully, the Cryo Captain made sure he grabbed the Heir’s coat so it wouldn’t fall on the floor, handing it over to the redhead.

“Come on Kaeya, let’s go. We’ll make sure you get back to your apartment,” Diluc said, breaking the silence as he took his coat and placed it on. Kaeya stood up from his bar stool, legs a little shaky but he didn’t collapse. It was late but the Captain didn’t have to work tomorrow. During Yuletide there was one day that everything was pretty much closed, Sol Morn. It was a day that you were supposed to spend with loved ones and nothing was allowed otherwise...within reason. The knights still kept up their rounds. It did rotate on which Captains were on duty that year as everyone pushed Jean to take at least one day off. This year Albedo volunteered to stay on duty with Heartha, as last year it was Kaeya and Heartha and the year before that it was Eula and Kaeya that were on duty.

It was nice that he didn’t have to worry about getting up and going anywhere tomorrow. Once Kaeya parted ways from the two bartenders he’d return home on his own and more than likely try to sleep the day away to catch up on all the slumber he had indeed missed. He’d hate for the new family to waste anymore time on him...maybe one day he’d be able to join Diluc and Diona for such a special time as Sol Morn but not right now.

“Really Diluc, you helped me out enough,” replied the Captain, as he draped his dark blue winter cloak with fur linning over his shoulders that he retrieved after handing the redhead his coat back. “You should be getting both yourselves home. I’ve kept you long enough besides you know what tomorrow...today is? Is it after midnight?”

“He’s deflecting,” Diona said looking at her other Papa as she adjusted the fluffy cream coat that Kaeya knew Diluc had gotten her. There was silence between the two parties as the Captain just gazed at them confused. The two bartenders seemingly spoke without speaking to each other. Testament to how close they were and a reminder of how distant the men of them have become. Kaeya couldn’t decipher the stare but that got the Winery owner talking.

“Kaeya is suffering from really bad nightmares as of late,” Diluc told the pink haired feline, “I am actually very concerned because he is not looking very good.”

“It’s not your problem though,” Kaeya stated fighting back, “I’m thankful for what you have already done for me.”

That statement wasn’t enough to satisfy the child though.

“Grab him, Papa Diluc!” cried the little cat, as Kaeya tried to back away to the door only to get grabbed and thrown over the redhead's shoulder like a sack of potatoes. “I have a patented nightmare solution! To the Winery!”

Kaeya’s thought process gave out for a moment and when it returned he was flush in the face with what had just occurred. He was originally mortified thinking he was going to be carried out of the City like this. The Cryo user knew there was no use fighting Diluc’s grip, so the Captain was saving his strength hoping he could get away before they did leave the City. The last thing he needed was his subordinates seeing him getting carted away like this. He’d never live it down.

The redhead exited the bar though the back entrance, Diona locking it up with her key as the winery heir adjusted Kaeya on his shoulder. The actions just solidified the Captain’s thoughts until Diluc climbed into the driving seat of a cart and gently placed Kaeya down beside him. There must have been a delivery to the Tavern that the bartenders brought in with them when they came to work. That would have been the only reason a cart was there, easier to escape from. Before Kaeya could think of a means of escape though...Diona plopped herself right in the older Cryo user’s lap. Well...he wasn’t going anywhere now.

Kaeya was taken prisoner by the two most powerful people in Mondstadt. The Knights may have been the law of the land but they did not keep the wheels turning. They couldn’t because to keep things going you had to cater to the people and the people of Mond loved their alcohol. There were only two bars worth their salt in the city, the Cat’s Tail and Angel’s Share. He was sitting with the driving forces behind all of Mondstadt and he was powerless. No one was going to believe him.

“Off we go!” Diona instructed and Diluc gave the motion for the horses to head off. Once through the gates the guards watched the cart and their Captain disappear into the night...only realizing Kaeya was on it after it was too far off to say anything.

Kaeya glared at Diluc the entire ride to the winery...and the redhead knew it. The little asshole was even grinning about it when the driver took his eyes off the road to look at the irate Knight. Diluc even had the audacity to choke down a laugh at the expression on the Cryo man’s face. Kaeya's heart fluttered a little at the noise. Diona was blissfully distracted by the lightly falling snow to pay too much attention to the men in the cart with her. The Cavalry Captain though was holding onto the little feline to make sure she didn’t fall off his lap as the horses navigated back to their home with little needed input from the one holding the reins.

Coming up to the Dawn Winery’s stables, the trio was met by the stable hand who Diluc gave a slight reprimand to, it was now Sol Morn and he was supposed to be with his family. The young man just laughed and explained he had been out there waiting for less than half an hour. He was more concerned about Diluc getting his charge to bed at a decent time. Everyone at the winery knew Diona would wait on her red haired guardian to finish a task before taking care of herself. Exasperated at his employees, the man handed over the reins and took both Kaeya and Diona inside. A firm grip on the Captain’s wrist kept the man from bolting off into the night...he would have actually just snuck out but Diona would then be upset at him. So, Kaeya just let himself be tugged along.

Once inside, Kaeya had noticed that the place was barren of human life. Adelinde and Elzer must have already turned in for the night, being given the time off that they knew their Master would enforce. Same thing would have been done by the maids as well. As the Captain looked the place over Diona had taken off her coat and handed it to Diluc to be hung up. The redhead even took Kaeya’s cloak from him before taking care of his own coat.

“Okay, we need pajamas!” She exclaimed, grabbing Kaeya by the hand and tugging him over to the stairs. Looking back over his shoulder toward Diluc who was taking his sweet time following behind them. He gave the Captain a shrug and a headshake, he didn’t know what was going on either it seemed. Still, he was more than willing to go with whatever the pink haired kitten was trying to accomplish. Once a softie, always a softie. No matter how thick the defensive walls were.

At the top of the stairs was where Diona stopped. Her ears went flat as she turned to look back at both Kaeya and Diluc. Before either of them could question what had made her so sudden moreos she pouted and explained herself.

“Papa Diluc...I don’t have any pajamas that will fit him.”

“I have something he can wear, worry not,” the redhead said with a voice full of affection. Seeing those ears perk up in happiness was one of the cutest things Kaeya had ever laid eyes upon. He really didn’t have the heart to break whatever she had planned.

“Okay!” She replied, her excitement back once more. Dragging Kaeya into the Master bedroom, she dropped him off and left the room to head toward her own. Diluc stepped aside to allow the little one to run off as he closed the door behind him. A flick of his wrist and the candles in the room alit chasing away the darkness.

“She’s certainly grown more bold, if that is even possible,” Kaeya said as soon as he could see. Watching as the heir went and lit a couple candles in the bathroom as well. Diluc seemed to have a system but lighting the bathroom candles seemed a little off. The Captain was thinking the redhead really knew what was going on but still...

“Diona is aware of what she wants, I’ve no wish to cease her abbition,” Diluc replied as he went through his closet and brought out a pair of deep blue silk pajamas that were clearly not the redhead’s style. He handed them over to Kaeya who looked the pieces over. They were certainly high quality. “I had purchased these as a gift for you but felt it was too inappropriate to give them to you on your birthday so I was going to wait till a bit later. These are made specifically for Cryo users in mind, to help keep them warm in the winter.”

“Thank you, Diluc,” smiled the Captain.

“You’re welcome, feel free to change in the bathroom,” Diluc said with an exhausted smile on his face, “Diona has a bad habit of barging in and has almost caught me changing a few times.”

Kaeya almost wanted to start picking on Diluc for that but instead started laughing and headed for the said bathroom, so that was what the candles were for. This wasn’t going to be as bad as he thought. Diona really had smoothed out those rough edges on Diluc and Kaeya was thankful for reeling in his behavior so he was allowed to see this. It had been such a long time since he had experienced such warmth and if the catalyst to keep it was doing the bidding of a small cat? Well, there were worse things in life.

After a few moments Kaeya had changed and returned, the fabric felt wonderful and he could feel himself warming up already. His cloak was warm and kept the cold at bay but it didn’t cover his legs very well and those were exposed on the cart ride over. Upon his return the Captain noted Diluc had at least risked the chance of Diona popping in and changed his shirt to a black pajama top with red accents. Nodding and stepping aside he let the Master of the house into his bathroom to change his pants. Good thing too because as soon as the redhead closed the bathroom door the bedroom door swung open to have an ecstatic feline come running in. Diluc wasn’t kidding.

Before she could ask, Kaeya with a grin on his face, pointed to the bathroom motioning that her guardian was in there. She then ran to the door and knocked on it exclaiming she was there. A muffled chuckle was heard in reply with an affirmation that Diluc would be right out. Upon his exit the little cat jumped and grabbed the man around his waist for a hug before letting go and walking ahead of them. Kaeya watched as Diluc extinguished the bathroom candles before following along.

“Alright, now on the bed!” She said excitedly and ran for the bed to jump on it. Kaeya was quicker to follow than Diluc as he was putting out any unneeded lights before he did as instructed. The two men followed her guidance and made themselves comfortable on the bed. Once both Diluc and Kaeya were on the bed and tucked in, Diona jumped off the bed sprinting for the door. She grabbed it and slammed it shut before yelling through the door, her plan exposed. “Good night, Papa Diluc! Sleep well, Papa Kaeya! Papa Diluc is the best remedy for nightmares and you can count on that!”

Her footsteps faded as she ran from the door. Both men were a little confused as they looked at one another. Did Diona have nightmares too? That would have been the only way she could be so confident in the redhead’s ability to calm them down. Otherwise he would have had to have told her about him having nightmares before it was mentioned at the Tavern. Then there was- What the little cat had said just registered in Kaeya’s mind. She called him Papa as well...what?

“Did she just?”

“Diona has been well aware of my affection toward you, Kae. I keep underestimating her brilliance but honestly I didn't see this coming,” Diluc said with astonishment in his words but still holding onto that bluntness he was now known for. If Kaeya would have been able to see he was sure there would have been some pink coloring the cheeks of the other man. With what the Winery owner had disclosed though, this meant the pink haired child had placed this plan together either the moment she entered the bar and found Kaeya crying into Diluc or as they were cleaning while Kaeya had passed out for that tiny nap. Wait, this meant…

“Affections? You like me?” confusion coloring the Captain’s questions. It was everything he dreamed of but he didn’t think their reconciliation was far enough along to consider that as a possibility.

“And you’re supposed to be the smart one…” Diluc grumbled a touch while grabbing Kaeya and pulling him close.

“Hey!” responded the navy haired male but did not resist the stronger one pulling. He actually snuggled closer to the redhead, a content sigh leaving both of them. Still, the questions lingered. How long has this been? Did Diluc still harbor the same love from before? Or did he begin to love Kaeya again?

“Sleep Kaeya…” Diluc stated sensing the inner turmoil his younger companion was going through, “We have the whole day to ourselves, tomorrow we’ll talk. Right now though I am going to make sure you are well rested. I know you need it.”

“You do know the only thing that ever stopped these nightmares...I remember telling you.”

“Well then, looks like you’ll be staying here the majority of the time, now won’t you.”

“I guess so…” was the Captain’s response, a smile in voice.

fin