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Previously
The Foul Legacy swayed and Kaeya struggled to his feet as Diluc returned to normal, barely making it in time to save his brother from hitting the ground, Childe’s Delusion falling and clattering against the floor.
“Take…take the other one,” Childe rasped and Kaeya struggled to support his brother as he removed the glove from Diluc’s hand and threw it away from them. Diluc’s veins glowed purple and his eyes were barely open, hardly clinging to whatever remained of his consciousness.
“Come on, Diluc,” Kaeya muttered, slowly sliding to his knees and keeping Diluc tight in his arms. “Stay awake, please .”
Childe’s soft intake of breath, followed by a weak murmur of, “Your majesty” was Kaeya’s only warning before icey air swept through the room and a booming voice demanded,
“ What is going on here!?”
Two weeks later
A Harbinger Kaeya doesn’t recognize answers the door.
“You must be Captain Alberich,” the Harbinger said politely as he invited Kaeya into the room. “How kind of you to check in on our little Tartaglia.”
“Yeah, well…” Kaeya shrugged, leaning against the wall and crossing his arms over his chest, looking around the eleventh Harbinger’s room while the other one moved back over to the bed where Childe still lay unconscious, even two weeks later. “He helped save Diluc’s life so I guess it’s the least I can do.”
“And how is your brother?”
“Physically or mentally?”
“Whichever you’d like to share with me.”
“And who exactly am I sharing with?”
The Harbinger smiled pleasantly. “I am Lord Pantalone, The Regrator. Ninth Harbinger of The Tsaritsa’s Vanguard.”
“Right, yeah,” Kaeya muttered. “Childe’s fine then?”
“He will be. His injuries were…severe. But he survived the Abyss. Presumably. I’m sure he can survive this.” When Kaeya said nothing, Pantalone asked, “Where is Master Diluc?”
“He has a meeting with The Tsaritsa,” Kaeya replied. “Everyone says he’s not on death row anymore, that that Fatui agent really did manage to get his name cleared, but…”
“But he just killed a Harbinger and you’re worried she’ll kill him for that.” Kaeya nodded. “I can assure you, she won't.”
“How do you know?”
“Because you also killed a Harbinger,” Pantalone said, as though two weeks was enough time for Kaeya to forget everything that had happened in that basement. “And you’re not meeting the The Tsaritsa, are you?”
Kaeya chose to ignore the question. “How come there’s always a Harbinger sitting with him?” He nodded towards Childe. “You really think I’m going to come in and kill him?”
“No,” Pantalone replied. “Tartaglia is our youngest. We…protect him.”
“You’re like a family.”
Pantalone looked back at him. “Yes, we are.” He glanced over at Kaeya with a smile. “And he’s a bit cute, wanting to fight all the time.”
“He’d fight you right now, if he could hear you staying that.”
Pantalone just laughed before gesturing to the empty seat next to himself. “Come sit. Your brother will be in a meeting for quite awhile and I doubt you have anything else to do with yourself beyond worry for him.”
Kaeya hesitated for only a moment before nodding and heading over to sit next to the ninth Harbinger.
“So what exactly do you do for the Fatui?”
Pantalone smiled.
……………………
Diluc is, understandably, uneasy as he follows two agents down the hall and into the chilly throne room.
The first thing the god asked was, “Are you warm enough? I know my throne room is often colder than the rest of Snezhnaya itself.”
“I’m fine, thank you your majesty,” Diluc replied quety. He still felt exhausted and weak from the fight, the Delusions, the Foul Legacy and torture at Dottore’s hand
“I’m not mad that you killed Dottore, if that’s what you’re worried about.”
“What about Signora?”
“Your brother killed her in self defense and protection of you. I hold no ill will towards either of you.”
Diluc nodded. “Then…why am I here?”
“You are stronger than I thought, Master Diluc,” she replied. “You somehow managed to use not one but two Delusions in succession without any repercussions beyond understandable exhaustion. Not only that, but to harness Tartaglia’s own Foul Legacy that even he struggles with…” She looked him over. “How did you do it?”
“Would you be upset if I admitted I don’t know?” Diluc replied. “Everything from Kaeya and Childe saving me up to waking in recovery a few days ago is…a blur.”
“You truly have no idea how you summoned the Legacy?”
“I don’t,” Diluc replied softly. “I’m sorry.”
The Tsartita hummed. “If I may ask another question?” Diluc nodded. “The original Delusion. Your first. Where did you get that? The first time, I mean. When you first came to Snezhnaya, you had it. Where did it come from?”
“My father had it,” Diluc admitted quietly. “It…it contributed to his death. When I learned that it was a Delusion, made by the Fatui–”
“You sought us out in hopes of finding out who had given it to him and thus, who had caused his death.”
“Yes.”
“Do you know where he got it from?”
Diluc hesitated. “I didn’t,” he murmured. “But…Dottore said…”
“I wouldn’t trust anything he said.”
Diluc looked away. After a very long time, he softly said, “I don’t know how my father got it.”
The Tsaritsa shifted on her throne. “Master Diluc.” Diluc looked up as she picked up a box seated on a small glass table next to her throne. Diluc couldn’t help but swallow thickly at the way it almost resembled the box Dottore had had in his lab.
“Now that you’re making noise, we can finally get started. Ah, but first.” He stood then and Diluc watched through watering eyes as he pried off bloody gloves and walked over to a black box on his desk, reaching inside and curling his fingers around whatever object laid within.
“Consider this a gift,” he murmured as he walked forward, opening his hand ust long enough to slam his palm into Diluc’s chest.
Ice engulfed his body and Diluc screamed until he passed out.
Blinking the memory away, Diluc focused back on The Tsaritsa as she pulled his original Delusion from the box.
“This Delusion was not meant to be owned,” she told him. “It was to be destroyed, prior to your father’s gaining it.”
Diluc frowned. “Why?” He couldn’t help but ask.
“It is a weapon and certainly one that works, in the barest definition of the word,” The Tsaritsa replied. “But it is a weapon that never obeyed who it was given to.” She gave him a very pointed look as she added, “Only to his chose to.”
She handed it to him and Diluc hesitated. “Why me?”
“Because it obeys you. Because it is useless to my men. It will only obey you Master Diluc.” She prompted him to take it and he did, tentatively. “And I believe you’re going to need it in the future.”
Diluc stared down at it, unsure, before slipping it into the pocket of the thick Snezhnayan coat he was given.
“Thank you, majesty,” he murmured.
She smiled before remarking, “You know, I do suddenly find myself in need of two Harbingers, if you and your brother are interested?”
Diluc gave a soft, breathless laugh. “May I remind you, Tsaritsa, that I killed hundreds of your men?”
She chuckled lightly. “Another time then, perhaps.” Diluc gave a small returning smile. “Well, as there is nothing else and you and your brother are healthy now, I imagine this means the two of you will be returning home?”
“I think it’s time, yes.”
“Very well then. Give my wishes to Lord Barbatos, will you? And advise him not to drink so much. Even an Archon can die of alcohol poisoning, if they’re not careful.”
Diluc gave a quiet laugh. “I’ll be sure to give him the message.”
As he turned to leave, The Tsaritsa called him back. “And Diluc?”
He glanced over his shoulder. “Yes?”
“Watch after your brother. Just as Celestia will one day call to you, so too will the Abyss call to him.”
Pressing his lips together, Diluc nodded. “I will,” he promised before turning and heading out of the throne room.
…………………..
Having arrived with nothing but the clothes on their back, all Diluc needed to do was find Kaeya which, after asking a few Fatui agents, he was led to Childe’s bedroom where he found his brother seated next to the Harbinger’s bed.
“Diluc!” He hurried over to him, grabbing Diluc’s shoulders and looking him over. “Are you okay? Are you alright? What did she want, did she hurt you?”
“I’m fine, Kaeya.” Diluc waved him off, shrugging Kaeya’s arms from his shoulders. “I promise. She just wanted to ask where I got the original Delusion.”
Kaeya didn’t seem to believe him but nodded anyway. “Okay. Oh, hey, Childe’s awake.”
Diluc nodded and followed him over to the bed where the eleventh Harbinger grinned.
“Good to see you alive, Ragnvindr,” he rasped.
“And you,” Diluc returned. “Thank you. For bringing Kaeya and…saving my life.”
“Just means you owe me,” Childe said with a grin. “You’re leaving, I suppose?”
“Yes,” Diluc replied. “I really would like to return to Mondstadt.”
“Fair enough,” Childe murmured, groaning as he pushed himself into a seated position.
“Oh finally !” Kaeya declared, giving Childe and Pantalone a sarcastic two fingered salute. “Goodbye, I hope I never see you again.”
Childe laughed.
“Good luck in your travels,” Pantalone returned pleasantly. “Please don’t ever come back.”
Childe laughed harder.
…………………….
Diluc didn’t want to talk on the way from Snezhnaya to Liyue Harbor, either sleeping or otherwise remaining alone in his room on the ship. Kaeya was able to get him out to eat and up to get some sun but beyond that, his brother stayed alone.
It worried the younger male, of course, but he also knew that Diluc had been through a lot in a short span of time and likely just needed time to process.
It was when they were in the carriage from Liyue to Mondstadt that he finally spoke.
“Do you want to talk about anything?”
Diluc took a deep breath. “Not really,” he replied. “I’d like to just put everything away and ignore it. Pretend it never happened.”
“That's not how trauma works.”
Diluc hummed in agreement. “I wish it was.”
Kaeya knew that feeling. “Okay, well…you know I’m here, right?”
“I know.” Diluc gave him a small smile. “Thank you, Kaeya. Not just for…saying that but for coming, too.”
“You didn’t really think I’d just leave you here, did you?”
Diluc took a small breath. “To be honest,” he murmured. “I was in too much pain to think of anything except how badly I wanted it to be over, even if it meant being executed for something I didn’t do.”
“You’re off the hook though, right? Like they’re not going to come back in a few months and try to draw you back, are they?”
“I don’t think so,” Diluc replied. “I think we’re okay.”
“The first thing you're going to do when we get back is have a real meal, a bath–”
“And then sleep for three days.”
“Yes, you’re going to sleep or I’ll–”
“Kae, you don't have to force me to sleep.” Only then did Kaeya really see the dark, almost bruise-like circles under his brother’s eyes. “Trust me, I think I’ll be out as soon as I get in bed.”
Kaeya nodded. After a long moment of silence, he gently asked, “Does anything hurt? Childe noticed…and I should have noticed too, but…” he huffed. “You don’t have any injuries.”
“Yes.”
Kaeya waited a moment but when his brother didn’t elaborate, he asked, “...why?”
Diluc was silent and when he did reply, he refused to meet Kaeya’s gaze. “If you ruin your canvas, you can’t keep using it.” He looked down and Kaeya didn’t miss the way he checked to ensure his Vision was once more attached to his hip.
He hadn’t stopped checking it since they’d left Snezhnaya and had even adjusted it so it sat higher and easily within reach, allowing him to stand with his fingers wrapped around it at all times, if he so wished.
His brother draws in a shuddering breath, still not looking at him as he added, “Dottore would fix me up, just to rip me apart all over again.”
“I’m sorry I wasn’t there sooner.”
“You came eventually.”
“I should have come faster .”
Diluc just sighed. “Kaeya?”
“Yeah?”
“I’m…tired.” There’s a guilty look on Diluc’s face. “Can we…can we not talk anymore?”
Kaeya swallowed thickly. “Okay,” he agreed softly. “I’m sorry.”
Diluc doesn’t say anything in reply.
…………………..
Adelinde marks an understandable scene when they arrive, dragging Diluc and Kaeya in for a tight hug, telling them how terrified she was for them and how thankful she is to know they’re back and alive and safe.
Diluc smiles and replies and if Kaeya weren’t Kaeya, he’s sure he’d miss the dead glaze in his brother’s eyes and the way his smile is just the right side of fake .
He doesn’t say anything though, just places his hand very gently on Diluc’s back as he tells Adelinde,
“We’ve had a long trip. Any chance you can–”
“I’ll fill the bath immediately. Oh! I’m so sorry, sir, I nearly forgot to tell you. Acting Grandmaster Jean and Miss Klee are here.”
“They are?” Diluc asked. “What for?”
“They were simply checking in,” Adelinde replied. “They’re by the hearth if you’d like to say hello. If you feel up for it. I’m going to go run your bath.”
She hurried up the stairs while Diluc and Kaeya headed over towards the hearth.
“Diluc,” Jean breathed, getting to her feet and walking over to give her childhood friend a hug, for once abandoning her professional role of Acting Grandmaster. “I’m so glad you’re okay.”
Diluc nodded, wrapping his own arms around her. “Thanks, Jean,” he murmured, pulling away from the hug a moment later. “I’m glad to be back.”
“Hi Master Diluc! How was your trip?” Klee chirped, because she had only been informed that Diluc was traveling for business and not that he had instead been placed on death row by the Fatui.
“It was fine, thank you Klee.” Kaeya was pleased to see that Diluc’s smile actually reached his eyes this time and though it was strained with exhaustion, it was still genuine.
“It’s nice of the two of you to check on the winery,” Kaeya said. “But Master Diluc and I have had a very rough few days and I know it’s not even noon, but I for one could use a nap.”
“I understand,” Jean said, nodding. “We’ll let the two of you rest. Kaeya, I’m forcing you on leave for a few days.”
“Completely fair, thank you,” Kaeya said because he’d honestly had no intention of returning to work for a few days until he was sure Diluc was going to be okay, physically mentally and emotionally.
“And Diluc?”
His brother shifted. “Yes?”
Jean’s expression softened. “Please don’t hesitate to reach out if there’s anything I can do to help you.”
“Thank you. I’ll be alright.” He glanced at Kaeya as he quietly added, “Kaeya’s here.”
With a nod and another hug—Klee demanding that Diluc pick her up for hers—Jean and the tiny spark knight went on their way.
………………….
Kaeya wakes in the middle of the night to his door opening. “Sorry,” he hears and he shifts to reach over and turn on the lamp next to his bed.
“It’s alright,” he said quietly as Diluc crept into the room and closed the door behind himself. “What’s wrong?”
“I…” Diluc avoided his gaze. “Felt unsafe, alone in my own room.” His cheeks are red, likely from the feeling of shame in admitting what he sees as weakness, and he avoids Kaeya’s gaze as he asks, “Can I–”
“Sure.” Kaeya answers before he can finish or try and cut himself off, lifting the covers and gesturing for Diluc to crawl into bed with him. His brother hesitates for only a moment before walking over and, after a moment, setting his Vision down on the bedside table next to Kaeya’s own before getting in.
They lay in silence for a long time before Kaeya whispered, “Hey Diluc?”
“Yes?”
“I really am glad you’re safe.”
His brother said nothing in reply before quietly replying, “Thank you for saving me, Kaeya.”
“Your my brother,” Kaeya told him. “For you, I would sacrifice my life.”
_________
The Tsaritsa will return in Part 63: Changing Tides
Tartaglia will return in Part 97: War Comes To Teyvat (Part 2)
Pantalone will return in Part 97: War Comes To Teyvat (Part 2)
Il Dottore will return in Part 94: From The Shadows
____________
End Arc 1: The Traumatic Events of Snezhnaya