Work Text:
Kaeya decided to take the pending work he had ( and part of Jean's, courtesy of sweet Lisa) home to finish it.
He sighed, resigned, because today he had a free night and he wanted to go to the Angel's Share, but wanted to finish up the accumulated work as soon as possible.
As he was going through the fourth sheet, a movement at his window caught his attention, and he got up from his chair, going to find out what had happened.
A mischievous smile formed on his lips when he saw a certain figure perched at his window ''Well, well... whom have we here? If it isn't none other than the Dark Knight Hero of Mondstadt'' Diluc didn't respond to the knight's taunts ''What is a criminal soooo wanted by the knights of Favonius doing at my window? Should I fear for my life?'' Kaeya brought his fist to his mouth, forming a vulnerable gesture ''Fear for my integrity?''
''Kaeya...'' Diluc’s voice sounded choked and raspy, but Kaeya kept joking.
''What??? The great Dark Knight Hero knows my name?!? What a great honor! Tell me, honorable Dark Knight Hero, what else do you know about me?'' He grinned in that way that he knew drove the red-haired man so much out of temper.
''Kaeya... please'' his voice finally became shaky, and all the amusement in Kaeya's ocelli disappeared.
He arched his eyebrow, distrustful, and asked what was wrong, seriousness finally getting to him.
The knight paled as Diluc placed his palm on his window, smearing the glass with blood ''He...help, Kaey...a''
''Shit, Diluc!'' he ran towards the window, smashing the glass with his fist to hold Diluc ''Let yourself fall, trust me, I won't let you fall.''
Diluc heeded him, Kaeya opening the window door swiftly and grabbed Diluc by his clothes, pulling him and holding him in his arms as he entered the safety of his home.
Without a word, he carried him to his bed and tore open his shirt to reveal his wounds ''Can you explain to me how you got a belly wound? How could you be so clueless?'' he growled, for he would rather Diluc detect anger than fear from him.
Diluc took a deep breath before answering, his belly arching in pain as Kaeya removed the stuck cloth from his wound ''I am...I am not invincible'' he managed to grunt.
''I know, but to get hurt? In front of common thieves? It's ridiculous, Diluc''
''They were knights of Favonius'' he replied with difficulty.
Kaeya froze at that. Favonius' knights? His subordinates were the cause of Diluc bleeding to death in his bed?'' ''Who?'' he growled, his tone grim.
''What do you care? You can't get mad at them for doing his job'' he growled, his voice choked.
''Are you seriously defending the Knights to me now?'' he exclaimed incredulously ''They're not incompetent anymore?'' he added with a shaky smile.
''No, they are still...useless. If they were competent...they...would have killed me-'' Diluc was silenced by a cough, where Kaeya gently wiped his lips.
''You are never able to say two words to me and now that you shouldn't speak, you start joking with me? You are unbelievable, Your Highness.''
''Don't...call me that'' he growled, melting into Kaeya's touch.
He groaned in pity when Kaeya pulled his finger away from his skin ''I have to get the first aid kit'' It didn't take two minutes for it to appear, worrying at the sight of the blood loss ''I have to sew up the wound fast, Luc''
The red-haired man tensed at that name, but nodded weakly ''It's going to hurt'' the knight warned.
''Of course it will'' Diluc mumbled ''I'm not...an imbecile.''
''I'm warning you'' he retorted. He just wanted to smack his beautiful face, but his blood was soaking Kaeya'ssheets.
''Do it. I'll hold on'' he whispered, his eyes closing as he continued to overexert to keep breathing.
Kaeya's hand held the needle, but he still couldn't bring himself to stitch the wound. Diluc's complexion was so pale that if it weren't for his speaking to him, the knight would have believed for a second that Diluc would have been reunited with his father.
But no. Kaeya was not going to allow it.
Managing to remain cool as his vision, he began to stitch the wound, admiring Diluc's ability to withstand the pain.
Kaeya offered a towel to bite down on, but Diluc refused, of course.
How was the great owner of the Vineyard going to bite on a towel of questionable quality?
Kaeya was just finishing stitching the wound when someone knocked on his door. The anger that grew in him almost made him summon ice floes, but he managed to ignore it, to try to finish stitching the wound.
The door rang again, Kaeya growling under his breath.
When it rang again for the third time, they came with shouts ''SIR KAEYA! SIR KAEYA! OPEN UP!''
It was Huffman and Wood, the ones on night patrol today-.
No.
No fucking way.
''Huffman and Wood have been-''
Diluc nodded quickly, clearly embarrassed by it.
A dark look ravaged in the knight's diamond ocelli, and when he finished wiping the red-haired man's belly, he stood up, in a pose similar to the one a wolf about to pounce on a hare would have.
Diluc stopped him, grabbing him by the wrist ''They were just doing their job. Don't do anything, please.''
Kaeya couldn't answer him because Wood spoke again ''SIR KAEYA, I'VE HIT HIM! I'VE HIT THE DARK KNIGHT! IT'S POSSIBLE HE'S STILL IN SOME STREET IN MONDSTADT, WOUNDED! WE HAVE A CHANCE TO GET HIM!''
''They're talking about you like you're a fucking animal'' he growled as a wild beast would.
But Diluc simply smiled, his thumb stroking the back of Kaeya's hand ''Go. Go or they'll get suspicious.''
Kaeya looked at him, frightened at the thought of leaving him alone. But the blows again came and with an irritated snort, he shooed Diluc to keep pressure on his wound to prevent him from losing any more blood and left the room, closing it behind him.
When he opened it, all that rage and hatred that plagued his expression disappeared, with his usual jovial and lively ''You got him, you say?''
''Wood hit him with the crossbow, but we haven't managed to find him. We followed a trail of blood and it ends here. It's possible he's on a roof somewhere, but with the blood loss, he shouldn't be able to hold up much longer'' Kaeya had a hard time not strangling Huffman when he talked about Diluc like that.
''And why are you here instead of continuing to search for him?''
The two knights looked at each other in confusion ''I thought Sir... I thought you might want to come with us'' Huffman replied.
''We're talking about the Dark Knight!'' Wood shouted excitedly.
''But if I go with you... wouldn't I get all the credit for being your captain?'' he raised his eyebrow in amusement. His subordinates fell silent at that. ''It doesn't seem fair when you've done all the work. Besides'' he stretched his arms, to show fatigue ''I've been dealing with some horrible paperwork all day and I've only just finished it, so the last thing I want to do is look for the most elusive creature to ever set foot in Mondstadt instead of lying in my fluffy little bed''.
''But Sir... you're always here with us, on the attempts to catch that criminal'' whispered Wood, chagrined.
''Of course I am, you fool. To keep you from capturing him'' He thought, irritated ''Well, it looks like I was jinxed'' he replied with his most cheerful grin.
Wood shrugged resignedly and pulled Huffman to hurry after him.
But the other knight was staring at Kaeya. More specifically his hand ''Is that blood?''
Kaeya looked at his hand, indifferent ''This? Huffman, my friend, what an imagination you have. It's tomato. I made myself some nice spaghetti for dinner'' He licked his fingers, wiping them clean of those red spots ''Would you like some? I have some left over.''
''No, thank you Sir, we're in a rush’’ replied Wood ''But thank you very much. Come on, Huffman.''
Huffman was still looking seriously at Kaeya, when finally the knight’s superior ran out of patience ''Come on, Huffman'' he encouraged, with that voice colder than Snezhnaya ''Go and let me rest, I'm exhausted''.
Even a deaf man would be able to detect the warning in Kaeya's tone, and Huffman lost his cockiness and followed Wood, apologizing to his superior for that distrust.
Kaeya held the door open, his smile intact, until those two disappeared from his doorway, and he slammed it shut, panic plaguing his face and rushed into the room.
He didn't want to meet a paler, dying Diluc, but neither did he expect to find him stitching up his own wound. He froze, in the doorway; Diluc looked like he was going to leave the world soon, and he was stitching up his own fucking wound.
When the red-haired man noticed his presence, he raised his eyebrow simply ''You're a good actor.''
Kaeya moved towards him, finishing stitching the wound himself as Diluc lay back down on the bed, letting out a sigh as he found the comfortable position.
Kaeya began to clean his belly, and as he began to unroll the bandages, that's when Diluc put his hand on top of his own ''Kae, I'm going to be fine, and it's all thanks to you. Calm down, please.''
''How can you say that!'' the young man finally exploded, the roll of bandages falling to the floor ''Damn it, Luc! You can't do this to me!'' Diluc nodded, closing his eyes in grief ''I...no...I can't Luc. I couldn't bear your death. Least of all...least of all in my arms, I-''
''Kaeya'' the Ragvindr shushed him again ''I'll be fine, but I still need you, please'' He tried to reach for the roll of bandages, but the wound in his belly prevented him from moving at all if he didn't want to reopen it ''Please'''
Kaeya took a deep breath, that brief panic attack fading as he blew out that fear-laden, anguished air again.
He nodded, taking the roll and bandaging the redhead's belly with extreme delicacy.
He had to completely cut off his costume, leaving his torso exposed and his clothes torn, but at least he was able to bandage the wound perfectly.
''I'm sorry I tore your beautiful hero outfit.''
''Tsk... I have more, don't worry'' he whispered sleepily, clearly struggling to stay awake.
''Heh, why can't I help but imagine a whole closet of black capes?''
Diluc replied with a smile, to which Kaeya exhaled a nervous but hearty laugh, patting the wounded man's shoulder ''You're truly unique, Luc.''
He looked him over again, realizing that he was missing an important part of his Dark Knight Hero attire ''And your mask?''
''When he gave me the arrow, I tripped, and it brokes'' he explained and Kaeya nodded, with a slight snort.
''You could take the opportunity to change it. I've always seen it very ugly.''
''So did I, but it's a Fatui mask. It serves me well for infiltration.''' Finally, he closed his eyes but continued speaking ''If I could choose...it would be one of those Oni masks from Inazuma...'' Each word sounded more tired than the previous one ''but the market is closed...''
Kaeya would be enjoying hearing Diluc speak in such a calm and serene manner, were it not for the fact that the pallor had not yet left his face.
Kaeya stroked his bandaged belly, tickling the red-haired man's skin ''This is going to leave a nasty scar. I'm sorry.''
''It wouldn't be the first time, as you might notice'' he teased.
Kaeya nodded, stroking a scar that should along his ribs, until it reached near his chest. Diluc's torso quivered again at that touch ''Are all these scars from acting as Modstadt's protector?''
''No'' he replied softly ''Most of them are... from those four years'' Kaeya nodded at that, the hand that wasn't resting on Diluc's belly clenched furiously at the sheets.
The four years Kaeya wasn't at Diluc's side.
He stroked another scar, under the armpit; it was clearly the claws of a Mitachurl ''That one's recent. I got it from helping Aether...''
Kaeya gritted his teeth, looking with penury at every scar, burn and bruise on the red-haired man's body.
Diluc could tell the young man's tension and opened one eye, snorting at his expression ''Spit it out...''
''Spit it out?'' he said with a sarcastic and tired laugh.
''You know I hate your little games. Your hiding. You not being honest with me. So tell me what's wrong with you. What's on your mind'' he grunted with difficulty, for his wound still hurt.
Kaeya got up from the bed, his hands buried in his blue hair ''What am I thinking?'' he said to the injured man. Finally he faced to him ''What am I thinking? Why don't you take care of yourself? Why don't you value your life?''
"Wood caught me off guard, Kaey-‘’
''Explain your other scars to me then'' he snorts angrily.
''You can't expect me to have any appreciation for my life back then. You can't demand that of me, Kaeya'' replied Diluc, who had half risen to confront Kaeya, but his body was trembling, from how exhausted he was.
Kaeya did not reply; he simply covered his gaze with his hand, Diluc fearing that he had made him cry. Fortunately, though his eyes were glazed over, no tears slid down his cheeks.
He sat on the edge of the bed, gently pushing Diluc to lay him back down ''Promise me you will from now on. Even though I know you owe me nothing. Even though I know you don't want anything with me, promise me'' Diluc held his gaze, completely serious and dumbfounded at his words ''You have...you have a lot of people who love you and care about you. Aether, Paimon, Jean, Eula, Razor, Benett, that drunken bard...even Diona.''
Both men laughed softly at that and, unnoticed by either of them, held hands ''So please... ask for help, Luc. You're not alone.''
Diluc did not immediately respond. He simply rolled his eyes, incredulous ''I know you don't want anything to do with me'' he repeated Kaeya's words ''Are you really that dumb?''
''Diluc-''
''If I really didn't want anything with you, why am I here?''
''Because I was your only option?'' he raised his eyebrow, amused but also chagrined at that.
''My only option'' he repeated again, drawing out a laugh that sounded like a bark ''When I have in my tavern medkits and beds prepared for such occasions, and you've already seen me capable of healing myself, no matter how serious the wound.''
''Then...'' Kaeya didn't want to believe the red-haired man's words. They were too kind. He couldn't believe them. He couldn't deserve them.
Diluc lifted Kaeya's hand, for they were still linked ''I came here because I trust you, Kae'' He brought his hand to his lips, kissing the younger man's knuckles ''Because I love you. Is that enough for you?''
Kaeya stood with his mouth open, still doubting if he was facing an illusion, or if he was dreaming, or if it was a joke of destiny.
But he knew it really was Diluc, and not any of that when he snorted at him, what the hell was wrong with him ''You'll forget this words tomorrow'' he replied, not afraid to bring out his bitterness and sadness at it.
''No'' the redhead whispered softly ''I won't, Kae. I swear'' He lifted up as a treacherous tear finally slid down the knight’s cheek, wiping it away tenderly and kissing his wet cheek ''I love you, Kae. Thank you, thank you for everything.''
Kaeya shook his head, with a bright smile ''Lie down, come on, you're going to open your wound again in the end''
''Only if you sleep with me'' he challenged him, his hand going to the back of his neck, stroking his dark strands.
''Like when we were kids'' Kaeya smiled, never looking so relieved and weightless.
''Like when we were kids'' the older one affirmed, finally laying down and pulling Kaeya in with him.
As Kaeya was already in his pajamas, he only had to remove Diluc's uncomfortable pants, and let his head rest on his slender chest, while his hand buried itself in that soft reddish hair.
Diluc, as soon as he felt the warmth of Kaeya's body against his skin, drifted into a dream.
Kaeya however, stayed awake, not only to make sure Diluc was regaining color and breathing properly, but also to admire that calm, sleeping face he had missed so much.
When Diluc's condition was no longer dangerous, Kaeya already felt the tiredness coming to him, and settling into an embrace, the brunet also drifted into a sleep.
When Kaeya awoke, the Sun had already been up for hours.
He rubbed his eyes, intending to stretch, but a warm, living body prevented him from that action.
When Kaeya saw Diluc awake, his fingers on the knight's hip, massaging his skin, he let out a long contented sigh, and melted back into the bed, admiring the red-haired man's face again.
''Did you have the day off yesterday?'' sounds Diluc’s voice, numb.
''Not exactly, but I took my work home. Mine and Jean's.''
''And you finished it?'' Kaeya raised an eyebrow, mockingly, and Diluc snorted with amusement ''You're going to get kicked out at the end of the Knights.''
''That would mean you'd hate me a little less. I think it pays off'' he said with a chuckle, as he brought his face close to the red-haired man's neck.
Instead he rolled his eyes, resigned and took his chin to kiss him, tenderly and passionately, to take away that idea that he suspected still lingered in his head.
When they pulled away, Kaeya started to laugh ''Diluc, I was joking''.
''Just in case'' he growled, closing his eyes again.
But Kaeya didn't stop you, making eskimo kisses with Diluc as his lips gave fleeting pecks to Diluc's and Diluc pushed him away, his face flushed ''Shouldn't you be in the office already?''
''They're going to kill me for not finishing the paperwork, so I'd rather enjoy my last day of life with you'' His hand went to his bandaged belly, where Diluc could be seen still in pain ''I'd rather take care of the one I love.''