Archive of Our Own

Diluc charged at Kaeya with his claymore in hand. His brother merely dodged. Kaeya held his own sword, but did not attack. He had expected this. He knew Diluc would be angry. His father was dead, and his brother was sent from a nation at war with the gods to be a spy. Kaeya hadn’t even cried at the funeral, still in shock. He knew the timing was horrible, but he needed to say something.

“Why won’t you fight BACK you traitor?” Diluc yelled, tears blending with the downpour of rain falling around the brothers. Kaeya didn’t answer. He was crying too. Diluc continued swinging his claymore, and Kaeya continued to simply dodge. That is, until Kaeya tripped, and his sword was knocked away. 

Diluc swung at his brother, who threw his arms up as a last defense. But Diluc’s blade never hit him. He felt a powerful energy surge through him, and suddenly everything felt cold. Diluc was knocked back by the force. 

Kaeya opened his eyes. The ground around him was covered in frost. In his hands was a Cryo Vision. Diluc looked at him in shock, as Kaeya stared at his own hands. Diluc’s expression quickly returned to one of disgust, hurt, and betrayal. 

“Brother, please-”

“Never speak of this, or to me, ever again. I refuse to call a filthy traitor my brother. You are not my brother. You never have been.”

Kaeya watched Diluc’s back as he walked away, fading as the rain clouded everything. He heard a voice calling out to him. 

“Kaeya. Kaeya. Kae-”

“-ya. KAEYA!” The blue-haired man awoke with a start. Ah, merely a dream then, Kaeya thought to himself. 

 Kaeya looked around, and took in his surroundings. He was in his shared apartment with the Chief Alchemist, Albedo. Speaking of the other man, Kaeya looked over his shoulder to see blue eyes staring at him in concern.

“I’m sorry my dear, did I wake you?” Kaeya asked.

“No, you didn’t. Are you alright?” Albedo asked, concerned. 

“What?” Kaeya replied. 

 You were crying in your sleep. What happened?” Albedo asked again as Kaeya sat up, and he followed suit. 

“Yes, you need not worry about me,” Kaeya pulled Albedo close to kiss his temple, “It was simply a bad dream. I am completely fine.” Kaeya smiled at his boyfriend. 

Albedo was not taking this shit. 

“Kaeya, I love you very much. That means I know you very well. That also means, I know when you are lying to me. Please, just tell me what’s the matter?” Albedo said calmly, reaching up to cup Kaeya’s face. Kaeya held Albedo’s hand there, and let his mask fall. 

“...Did I ever tell you why Master Diluc and I can never seem to get along?” Kaeya asked quietly. Albedo shook his head. Kaeya slid down in bed, and leaned into Albedo’s chest. Albedo held him close.

“Not in detail, no. You’ve told me some things, but all I really know is that the two of you were once close as brothers. But with how hostile you can be with one another, I find it hard to believe,” Albedo replied, lying a little. He wasn’t going to tell Kaeya about what happened those nights where he would return from Dragonspine, and Kaeya would be black out drunk sobbing about a brotherhood lost. Kaeya sighed, and continued.

“Well, I did consider him my brother. I still do, matter of fact. I don’t know if you recall, but about four years ago, Diluc sold all of our father’s assets, and just dropped off the face of Teyvat. He had been travelling from country to country in search of retribution or whatever. He had already quit the Knights because of Inspector Eroch’s incompetence but…The reason he left Mond… was me.”

Albedo knew of Kaeya’s heritage. They had that in common after all. But had Diluc truly left because of that?

“On the night that our father- Master Crepus, passed away, I came clean. I told him everything. When Master Crepus died, I was riddled with guilt. But I was relieved, it meant that I wouldn’t have to choose anymore. But that feeling, that realisation, it just about tripled the guilt. I felt awful, I just had to tell him…” Kaeya said, voice breaking slightly. Albedo ran a hand up and down his back as Kaeya tried not to break down. 

“It was awful timing, and Archons I knew that. But he needed to know. I was so guilty for being relieved at the fact Master Crepus died, I had to tell him. I knew he would be angry, and I knew he’d want to kill me. But his face. ‘Bedo, he looked so betrayed. ” Kaeya whispered, beginning to cry. 

“Shh, it’s alright, you’re safe, it’s okay,” Albedo hushed. Kaeya calmed himself down, and decided to finish the story. 

“We fought. Well, it’s more to say,  he fought me, and I just blocked. I deserved his anger. But then I tripped. He swung his claymore with enough force to kill me. If my vision hadn’t arrived at that moment, I’m afraid I would be dead,” Kaeya laughed sadly, “He told me he was never my brother. Then he sold everything to Addie and left. He threw away our father’s entire legacy. I didn’t see him again until he came back last year. Now we just argue all of the time. We’ve had a few moments, like during our time alone in the Archipelago when you left, and during the incident with Outrider Amber’s young friend, but other than that…” Kaeya trailed off. 

“Kaeya, he tried to kill you?” Albedo asked quietly.  Kaeya looked up at his lover, and sighed.

“Yes, but honestly, ‘Bedo, I wanted him too. I was so guilt-ridden that I didn’t see any other option. I’ve long since made my peace with that. I’m just keeping him at arm's length. I guess I’m afraid of hurting him again. But please don’t be mad at him. I don’t need more dead family,” Kaeya joked. Albedo frowned, but let the room slip into silence. 

“You cry about him. When you’re drunk sometimes. Going on about how much you miss him,” Albedo said after a while. “I never pressed for answers, always assumed you’d tell me when you were ready.”

“Right you were, my Prince…”

“Do you? Miss him, I mean?”

“I suppose I do.”

“Would you like to do something about it?”

“Do you think he’d let me?”

“I don’t know,” Albedo said, running his hand through Kaeya’s hair, “but isn’t it worth it to try?”

-----------------

The next morning, Albedo left early. He had left a note for Kaeya, saying he was just out running errands. They both had the day off, so it was quite plausible. 

In reality, the alchemist was on his way to the Dawn Winery. Charles at the Angel’s Share had told him that’s where he would find Diluc. 

He knocked on the door, and a woman opened it. 

“Can I help you?” she said politely. Albedo smiled gently at her. This must be the Adelinde that Kaeya had mentioned. Apparently she was always kind to him, even after the incident. 

“Hello, my name is Albedo, the Chief Alchemist of the Knights of Favonius. I’m here to speak to Master Diluc. It’s about Kaeya, nothing bad I swear. Just a conversation,” Albedo smiled. Adelinde smiled back, as if she understood entirely what Albedo’s intentions were.

“He should be in his office. Follow me.”

Adelinde led Albedo up a set of stairs and down a hallway. They arrived at a door, and Adelinde knocked. 

“Come in!” someone said from inside the room. Adelinde opened the door. 

“Master Diluc? There’s someone here to see you,” she said. Diluc looked up from his work, and Albedo stepped into the room. 

“Ah, Sir Albedo. I don’t know if you are aware, but I don’t do business with knights-” Diluc started.

“Not to worry,” Albedo cut him off. “This is a more personal matter. May I?” Albedo gestured to the seat across from Diluc.

“Please. Although, I’m not sure what personal matter you would have with me?” He replied. Albedo sat down in the chair, with a calm smile. 

“It’s about Kaeya,” Albedo said. 

“Unless that drunkard is currently bleeding out in Dragonspine, I have no interest in hearing about him.” Diluc said. He knew that was a lie. Albedo knew it too. Diluc and Kaeya had the same poker face, though Kaeya’s was much less obvious. 

Diluc still cared about Kaeya, but ever since that day, he presumed Kaeya was furious. How could he not be? Diluc had attempted to murder him, when he should have heard him out instead. Diluc’s only solution was to push Kaeya away, so neither one of them would be hurt again.  

“Come now Master Diluc. You and I both know that’s a lie,” Albedo bluntly pointed out, “However, I am here because of a conversation between Kaeya and myself. He had awoken from a nightmare, and told me all about the history between you two.” Despite the hostile nature of Albedo’s words, he still wore a smile. 

Diluc had no idea where Albedo was going with this, but the other man’s tone definitely gave him chills.

“He told me that you tried to kill him, after he opened up about his past and his guilt.” Albedo said, the smile dropping from his face. Diluc’s eyes went wide.

“Listen-”

“No, you listen Master Diluc-”

“What business do you have meddling in Kaeya’s affairs-” Diluc stood up.

“I’m his boyfriend you nitwit, and I don’t enjoy seeing him drunk crying about how much his brother hates him. Now shut up and listen!” Albedo yelled, slamming his hands down on the desk and standing up as well. Diluc sat back down, in pure and utter shock. But he didn’t hate Kaeya, he only did this to protect him. Though, considering he and Kaeya hadn’t spoken about that night in… ever, he could maybe see how it would come off that way. 

“Kaeya misses you, Master Diluc.   He has nightmares about what happened. For Barbatos’s sake, he nearly let you kill him in your fit of rage all those years ago! And judging by that look on your face, you miss him too. So why don’t you apologize already? He’s ready to apologize as well. You just need to talk to him,” Albedo said, practically pleading for Diluc to get a grip. 

“He should hate me! He should… ” Diluc said, head spinning. He did miss Kaeya, but of course he was still afraid. How could he not be?

“But he doesn’t hate you, Master Diluc. You just need to accept that.”

Silence.

“...Is he working today?”

“He should be at home.” Albedo sat back down, leaning into the chair.  

Diluc leaned into his hand, elbow resting on his desk. 

After a moment of silence, Diluc spoke. “I’ll go talk to him. Today. I can’t promise anything will happen and I certainly can’t promise that we won’t fight, but… I will try talking to him.”

“Thank you, Master Diluc. I must be on my way now, I have some errands to run. But I appreciate you taking time to listen to me. I shouldn’t be back home until around dinner, and Klee is with Jean today so Kaeya will be alone all day.” Albedo stood, and made his way to the door. 

“I will… take that into consideration.”

Before Albedo left, he paused as he opened the door, “Oh, and Master Diluc?”

“Yes?”

“I know for a fact Kaeya owns a ‘get-along-shirt’, for when the knights are having internal issues. I will not hesitate to use it if you and Kaeya can’t work this out,” Albedo smiled threateningly. Diluc swallowed hard. 

“Noted.”

“I’ll see you later Master Diluc,” Albedo said, leaving the room. Adelinde came in after he left, and saw Diluc staring past her in fear. 

“Is everything alright?” She asked.  Diluc snapped out of his daze. 

“Yes, Addie everything is just fine,” He said, pushing the loose hairs out of his face.

“Shall I clean up Sir Kaeya’s old room? Just in case, of course.” Adelinde smiled knowingly. Diluc nodded, and Adelinde left him to figure out just what the hell he was going to say to Kaeya.

-------------------

Kaeya was not happy upon seeing Albedo’s note. It was supposed to be their day off together, but Albedo had run off to go do errands. So Kaeya sat on the couch with a book, letting his hair down for once in his life. 

About an hour into his book, Kaeya heard a knock on the door. Aether and his fairy perhaps? Kaeya thought, putting his hair back up as he went to open it. 

This was honestly the last thing Kaeya had expected to happen today. He would have thought a Harbinger would show up on his doorstep before Diluc did. 

“Ah, Master Diluc. To what do I owe the pleasure?”

“We need to talk. Can I come in?” Diluc looked more serious than usual. But he did not look grumpy. He looked almost sad . 

“I thought you didn’t do business with Knights?” Kaeya joked.

“I’m not here as Master Diluc, ex-Cavalry Captain, nor am I here as any other persona crafted through gossip. I’m simply here as Diluc Ragnvindr.” Diluc replied in a serious tone. One he had only used with Kaeya two other times in their lives: when Crepus died and when he’d disowned Kaeya. Of course, this struck fear into Kaeya’s heart. He led Diluc to the couch, where they sat. 

“So, what is it we need to talk about? Last I recalled, you didn’t want me to talk to you,” Kaeya said bitterly. Diluc ignored him.

“Please, be honest with me. No more games and quips... Do you hate me for what I did?” Diluc said. Kaeya turned his head to the ground, trying to puzzle out Diluc’s intentions.

He took a deep breath, before answering with the most honesty possible. 

“I don’t. To be honest, you played right into my hands. I knew you would be angry with me. In fact, I even predicted you’d try to kill me. Even wanted you to. From the moment I knocked on the door, I knew exactly how that night would play out. Until I got my Vision. That, I didn’t expect,?” Kaeya explained. Now it was Diluc’s turn to be shocked. 

“You… wanted me to kill you? You would have me live with being responsible for not one, but two family deaths? In one day?”

“A bad decision, in hindsight. Not to worry, it’s been a long time since I thought like that. But what does it matter, when you hate me regardless?” 

“Kaeya, are you serious? You’d have me kill you?”

“Like I said, it was a long time ago. Now if you’re just gonna run to Jean to tell her all this you may as well go now, but don’t expect much. She already knows everything, about Khaenri’ah, about how much you hate me and-”

. 

“Stop saying that, I don’t hate you!” Diluc cut Kaeya off. 

“Wh-.. what? You don’t- what?” Kaeya looked up, confused. Diluc sighed, shaking his head. 

“I was hurt for a long time, Kaeya. For about the first year of my travel I felt pure hatred for the world. I was a coward afraid of his own feelings, so I ran. Beat up a lot of Abyss mages and Fatui agents… But it’s been four years. I never stopped caring about you. There’s a reason I send for Jean or leave you to Rosaria when you drink yourself silly instead of throwing you into a bush like I do that bard. I could never actually hate you. You can be irritating but…you’re my little brother. I owe you an apology. Much more than you owe me. I shouldn’t have tried to attack you, let alone kill you. I’m so sorry, Kaeya. I’ve been a really shitty brother.” 

Kaeya teared up, staring at Diluc.

Kaeya immediately rammed in for a hug, knocking the wind out of Diluc. They hadn’t hugged each other like this in a long time. Kaeya felt himself begin to cry, and buried himself in Diluc’s shoulder. Diluc felt tears burn in his eyes too. Whispers of I’m so sorry and You’re not a shitty brother passed between the two men. 

“I should have told you sooner…” Kaeya whispered.

“While I don’t disagree, you were a child. You shouldn’t’ve had to bear that kind of responsibility at such a young age. You shouldn't even have to now…” Diluc replied.

 “I didn’t want to… I don’t wanna go back and be their tool…” Kaeya quietly sobbed.

“And you won’t have to. I promise.”

After two or three minutes, the men separated. 

“Thank you,” Kaeya wiped his tears.

“Of course,” Diluc smiled softly. 

The two sat in a comfortable silence. 

“So… A boyfriend, hunh?” Diluc teased.

“What?” Kaeya replied. 

“Your alchemist? I know we haven't exactly been on good terms, but I figured you would’ve bragged about him to Venti and Rosaria during your nights at the tavern?”

“Hang on, how did you find out about Albedo?”

“He was the one who convinced me to come here. He can be quite terrifying for someone so small.”  Diluc shivered. Kaeya groaned. 

“You’re kidding me! I specifically told him ‘don’t get angry at Diluc’ because he’s terrifying when he’s angry oh my goodness- what did he say to you?”

“He yelled at me about how I’m a nitwit and he said he would put us in a get along shirt if we didn’t make up soon. Something about not wanting to see you drunk-crying over how much you missed me,” Diluc explained, raising an eyebrow. Kaeya felt heat rush to his face. 

“I have no idea what Albedo is talking about. Regardless, I’m glad he didn’t actually get angry,” Kaeya said, huffing. 

“Wait, what? Kaeya, I thought the man was going to murder me in my sleep. What do you mean, he wasn’t actually angry!?”

“Don’t worry about it, ‘Luc. He’ll be fine after I tell him that we spoke,” Kaeya said, waving him off. Diluc decided it was better to give up rather than press for answers. 

“Oh, and uh, one more thing.If you ever need it, Addie cleaned up your room at the Winery.  Just in case, you know? You always were her favourite, and she kind of knew I was coming here. You will always have a place there,” Diluc said. Kaeya smiled at him. 

“I’ll be sure to stop by and thank her. Now, will you be staying for supper? Maybe bringing a suitor of your own?” Kaeya wiggled his eyebrow and Diluc rolled his eyes. “Come on Diluc, you travelled Teyvat for years! You must have run into someone who caught your interest?”

Diluc avoided eye contact, face turning slightly red, “You’re an idiot,” he said. Kaeya gasped. 

“My my, is the master Diluc blushing? Oh wow, this is certainly a development! I should go tell Jean, or maybe Venti-”

“Shut up ,” Diluc groaned, covering his face with his hands. 

“Diiiiiluuuuuc, tell your little brother who’s caught your eye, pleaaaase?” Kaeya hesitated using the word brother, but Diluc didn’t say anything so he let out a small breath of relief. 

“Kae’ I swear to the Lord Barbatos-”

“Pretty please Diluc?”

“If I tell you, will you shut up?”

“You came here of your own free will might I remind you-” 

“Oh my Archons, fine it was a Harbinger!”

Kaeya froze one again. His jaw dropped as he stared at Diluc. 

“I’m sorry, you, Mr. “I would rather turn into a slime than join the Fatui”, slept with a HARBINGER? Holy shit, this may just be the best day of my life!” Kaeya burst out laughing. Diluc glared at Kaeya, his face turning beet red. Kaeya continued, “Oh my goodness ‘Luc I am so glad I had that nightmare because this, this was all worth it!” Kaeya threw his head back, about to fall over from laughing. 

“Alright that’s enough, I’m leaving-” Diluc stood and began making his way to the door. 

“WAIT no I’m sorry I’ll stop,” Kaeya wiped away a tear, running after Diluc. “I was serious when I asked if you wanted to stay for dinner, and I suppose if you wanted to invite your Harbinger, that would be alright with me.” 

“Well unfortunately, he’s in Liyue at the moment... And he does have a name. Professionally, he’s Childe. But the name given to him in Snezhnaya is Tartaglia,” Diluc explained, turning away from the door. 

“Ooo he sounds fancy,” Kayea teased. Diluc rolled his eyes at Kaeya’s antics. 

When Albedo entered the house, he was expecting destruction, with fire and ice all over. He was not expecting to find Master Diluc's face planted on his dinner table, while Kaeya and the green bard cheered. 

“I’m home… what happened here?” Albedo chuckled lightly. Kaeya immediately stopped harassing his brother, and ran over to Albedo. 

“Hello my love! I would say you were in trouble for going against my wishes, however because of you I now know about Diluc’s little hook up! Regardless, how was your day?” Kaeya asked excitedly. 

“Woah, slow down dear. My day was just fine, I was aiding Lisa in the library,” Albedo laughed, “And we’ll come back to the rest of that. Allow me to greet our guests,” he finished, giving Kaeya a kiss. He then made his way over to the dinner table where the bard and Master Diluc were currently. Diluc had removed his face from the table when he heard Albedo’s voice. 

“Ah, Master Diluc, so glad to see you took my advice. I presume everything went well then?”

“Up until Kaeya found out I am interested in someone romantically? Yes. I am back on speaking terms with him and we both apologized to one another. Thank you for talking some sense into me, Sir Albedo. And please, just Diluc is fine.”

“Well in that case, feel free to just call me Albedo. And why, might I ask, is the bard here?” Albedo laughed. 

“Oh! I felt it necessary to involve Venti in Diluc’s love life. I thought it would be funny, and my hypothesis was correct,” Kaeya explained, grinning. Albedo chuckled. 

“Right… Now what was it you mentioned earlier love, about Diluc and a hook up?”

-------------------

Diluc watched Kaeya happily prattle on about his own love life to Albedo, while the man in question stared at Kaeya with a look of adoration. 

He was glad to finally have his little brother back. Even if their relationship would be rocky at first, there they were, brothers again.