Chapter Text
Kaeya Alberich has never ever had a dream. At least, not one that he can remember.
"Diluc?"
As his brother usually would, he turned around to the sound of Kaeya's voice. Deep, late-night conversations were common for the two of them.
"Yeah?"
Diluc appeared half asleep, he must have woken to the sound of Kaeya's voice. Still, he wasn't annoyed, Diluc wasn't that type.
"Is the soulmate thing real?"
Diluc blinked a couple of times, seemingly waking up at that question. It was completely random, as most of their other conversations at this time were. He knew what he was talking about, but had no idea he knew of such a thing. It wasn't typically spoken of around children.
The chance of not getting a soulmate was incredibly rare but adults were still somewhat traditional in the sense that they'd try to hide it from their children. That didn't mean children never found out though, it was somewhat like Santa. All kids found out at their own age that they would have a soulmate.
"Well...I would like to think so," Diluc smiled contently, shuffling in his bed as he scanned over Kaeya. For some reason, he appeared worried, "Why do you ask?"
Kaeya remained quiet for a moment, staring at the ounce of light that crept in through the slightly parted curtains.
"I don't want it to be real," Kaeya admitted, his expression glazed in shame. Diluc was the only person he could talk to about anything and even after years of doing it, he felt embarrassed over his differing opinions.
Diluc's expression however did not falter. He was still smiling tiredly, his eyes half-lidded. He let out a small giggle, "Why not? Don't you want to be with someone one day?"
Kaeya tilted his head towards Diluc, "I'm not sure," He admitted, his voice becoming quieter, "I would be fine without one. Why would I need one?"
Diluc shrugged, "You don't, I guess- But don't you think it would be nice? I know Dad always tells me that kind of stuff gives you a purpose."
Kaeya tilted his gaze again, "I do have a purpose. I want to protect you and Crepus. I don't need a soulmate for a purpose-"
Diluc wants to hug him, but instead shows his admiration through a cheek to cheek beaming smile, "You'll always have us though."
Kaeya, for some reason, didn't seem so sure. But he smiled, brushing it off, "I guess you're right."
The two sat in silence, leaving Kaeya to ruminate quietly. It was a peaceful silence. Diluc's eyes shut and Kaeya tried to keep quiet. Keeping his brother awake was selfish.
That night was something the two of them should have long forgotten. Who was to tell if Diluc remembered it. The way he treated him nowadays, you'd swear they hardly knew each other.
Still, Kaeya was doing fine by himself. He grew into a fine, well-respected young man. He was charismatic, witty, charming, he basically had everything. Now, all he needed was a dream.