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Kaeya had always hated storms.
He preferred staying in and watching the storm from the safety of a warm building, knowing the storm couldn’t reach out and tear his life apart again.
Responsibilities were, however, responsibilities and no matter the weather, his rounds beyond the city walls during storms was a commitment he had promised to fulfill. To keep the odd, and very irresponsible, resident of Mondstadt safe from even their own stupidity.
Even keeping that in mind didn’t stop him from stopping short at the sight of a person lingering on the border of Dragonspine.
Kaeya knew that dark coat, even if the red hair was covered almost entirely under a hood. For several minutes, Kaeya stood there, watching to see what Diluc was planning to do.
“Diluc?’ Kaeya called once he was close enough to be heard over the pelting rain.
Diluc spun around, eyes wildly scanning in Kaeya’s direction but seemingly not seeing him. A trickle of worry crept up Kaeya’s spine, but he shoved it ruthlessly down.
“Diluc?” Kaeya called again, inching closer but ready to dodge if the need arose.
It took several moments for Diluc's eyes to land on him. They gazed through him for several seconds more. He watched as Diluc’s eyes went wide.
“Kae—Kaeya? What are you doing here? You should be—If they find you here—”
There was panic in his eyes as he glanced around, looking at things from far away. He stood dry despite the wind, and in a patch of grass that had no snow despite them almost being in Dragonspine.
“There’s nothing out here, Diluc. It’s just Dragonspine.”
Confusion and doubt lingered in Diluc's expression.
Kaeya watched as Diluc’s right hand reached for his left. This left hand then cautiously inched towards his pulsing Vision. He clenched his hand around it. His body relaxed slightly. His right hand rose to cover his eyes as he exhaled slowly.
“We’re in Mondstadt,” he repeated to himself, still slowly inhaling and exhaling. “It’s just a storm. Just… just rain.”
Whatever other words he used to sooth himself were lost to the rumble of thunder.
When Diluc’s hand fell, his tired eyes stared back at Kaeya for a moment. That gnawing worry was back as soon as Diluc’s face was covered by its usual stone-faced expression.
“I apologise for keeping you out in this storm, Sir Kaeya. You should head back to warm up.”
Kaeya wanted to ask. He wanted to push for answers. He wanted to know what was going on... but they had both given that up, hadn’t they?
“Only doing my duty, Master Diluc.”