Chapter Text
Diluc was never the type of person to be open about his feelings, especially when it's to the people he can't stand.
Tonight was no exception, with the loud drunkards of Angel's Share making a fuss over not getting another refill, at least that's what he heard over the argument the patron is having with Charles.
However, he couldn't help but feel that something is wrong. The feeling was so strong he could feel a grimace forming on his face.
Kaeya didn't come to the tavern.
It became routine for them at this point, no matter how much Diluc protested it and demanded that Kaeya goes to another bar to get over his alcoholism. Diluc was so used to it that he had a large cup of Death After Noon prepared in advance for the Cavalry Captain, just so he can move on to attending to the other customers.
It wasn't strange that Kaeya would sometimes not come to Angel's Share, usually because he has something important to take care of. Under normal circumstances, Diluc would feel glad that he wouldn't have to deal with his estranged brother's antics in the tavern.
But this time, it was different. He couldn't seem to ignore the pang in his heart that demanded that he go and check on Kaeya to make sure he was okay. That something wrong occurred.
Ultimately, Diluc decided to act on his instincts, telling himself that if something did happen, he could resolve it quickly and not have to deal with the Knights of Favonius and their slow response to danger.
Putting the Death After Noon away on the shelf, he goes over to Charles after he managed to calm the ravenous customer down. "I'm going out for a while, take care of the tavern for me, will you?"
"Sure thing." Charles nodded, walking over to the counter to wait for any more patrons to show up, noticing the full cup. "What's that for by the way?"
"It's for Kaeya. If he shows up, give it to him immediately." Diluc said, opening the door to exit before Charles could ask any more questions that would slow him down.
Once outside, the wine tycoon observed the surroundings. More drunkards were lying on the tables positioned outside the tavern, likely passing out after one too many drinks. The night complimented Mondstadt beautifully, the lights hanging around only increase the beauty. A few tourists from Liyue passed by, astonished by the wonders the city provided.
Nothing suspicious so far, and Diluc couldn't decide whether or not it was comforting or concerning.
He wasn't sure why he was worrying over Kaeya's safety in the first place. He was a nuisance through and through, and he brought many, many headaches along as well. Besides, he's the Cavalry Captain of the Knights of Favonius, he can take care of himself just fine.
And yet despite all of those factors, something at the back of his mind told him to continue his search, ensure that he's alright.
Sometimes Diluc hates his feelings because they motivate him to do stupid decisions, like resuming looking for his estranged brother.
Pressing on with this honestly, unnecessary search, he walked around the city to find where a head of long, dark blue hair resides alongside an outfit that is impossible to miss. He dare not ask around for information, for selfish but obvious reasons.
Diluc started to wonder if this was what Kaeya wanted, to refrain from coming to the tavern to see if he can find a different side to him or to pull some kind of prank on him. If that's the case, then it's better to turn around and go back to save himself the embarrassment that may come with this.
Before he was about to act on his more logical side and go back, he spotted a few people dressed like Treasure Hoarders, hauling a large chest away to the side gate of Mondstadt, appearing to be in a hurry. At first glance, he thought it was just some loot they managed to snag their hands on, but if he listened closely, he could hear something, or someone, knocking against the chest, as well as some faint cries inside.
Guy wasn't at the gate for one reason or another, allowing the Treasure Hoarders to make a quick getaway, or so they thought.
Diluc tailed them quietly but also made sure to keep up with them. Hiding behind the gate, he managed to listen in on some key information.
"That damn cloth didn't get him to keep his mouth shut!" One of the hoarders complained, the sound of something being opened and another thing dropping onto the grass reaching Diluc's hearing range.
"Listen here eyepatch, you better behave. No one's gonna save you or miss you. If you're good, we'll knock you out real good until we get to our destination so you won't have to feel any pain, sound good?" The other's statement confirmed who the person was without him having to look.
So that's why Kaeya didn't turn up.
A few muffled curses were heard, and Diluc stepped out from his hiding place to get a closer look at his brother. Now out of the small confines of the box, his injuries were crystal clear, though slightly unnoticeable due to the time of day. His clothes were torn, bruises and cuts were on his skin and his hands and feet were bound together. A piece of cloth was tied to the lower half of his face, and the wine tycoon could only imagine a scowl appearing with how aggressive Kaeya looked at the hoarders.
Without any further delay, Diluc grabbed onto the hilt of his claymore when it appeared, dragging it along as he approached the Treasure Hoarders.
Kaeya was the first to notice him, appearing surprised by the fact that he was here. Diluc gave him a motion with his finger to his lips, wordlessly telling him to stay quiet as he continued to stalk up to the hoarders.
"It's no use to keep waiting, we gotta get out of here before we get found out!" The one on the left urged, bending to carry the Cavalry Captain into his arms.
Before he could though, Diluc rushed in and smacked him with his claymore, sending him flying into a tree.
"What the-" The other hoarder got out a dagger as he stepped back. "When did you get here?"
"I was here the whole time." Diluc was fueled with murderous intent, lighting up his weapon with his Pyro Vision, frightening the hoarder into dropping the dagger.
"Whoa whoa whoa, don't burn me alive! I don't wanna die like that!"
"Then you should've thought twice about doing this." Diluc lifted his Pyro-infused claymore into the air before bringing it down on his opponent, causing him to be lit on fire and fall to the ground in a futile attempt to put it out.
While the hoarder is busy writhing in pain, Diluc took the opportunity to free Kaeya from his binds. He let some concentrated Pyro energy into his hand to burn away the ropes before undoing the cloth around his mouth.
As soon as he was allowed to talk again, Kaeya spoke. "I thought you didn't care about me."
Diluc's heart stung at that, remembering that minutes ago he thought about turning back to the tavern thinking that he wasn't going to find him, but he pushed it aside as he helped the Cavalry Captain to sit up against the wall. "Don't say things like that."
"You're not gonna kill them, are you?" Kaeya looked at the hoarder who got lit on fire, the flames have since dissipated and the man was bow lying face down, whether or not he was still breathing is unknown. "You'll just mess things up."
"I wish I could." Diluc sighed, hearing some commotion going on in the walls, watching as a group of Knights rush to the scene. "I suppose I can give the Knights of Favonius some credit for showing up so soon."
Diluc carried his brother bridal style, protesting against the Knights who tried to get him to put him down, arguing that he needs medical attention and that he'll be taking him to the Cathedral while they do their job for once.
If he had been a few minutes later, or worse, he had gone back to the tavern, he couldn't bear to imagine what would become of Kaeya.