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Kaeya was sick.
Very sick.
It was also his father’s death anniversary.
He raised his arm to cover his eyes, his head resting comfortably in his pillow. Out of all the days he could have caught a cold it had to be the most important day of his life. Kaeya cursed at himself, digging deeper in the sheets.
Wait.. what was he doing? He should’ve been at Angel’s Share hours ago, grabbing a drink to accompany him to father’s grave. Though, he wasn’t so sure if his dear brother wanted to see him.
Brother.
Were they even brothers at this point?
They never talked about that night, never reconciled, never really did.. anything.
Kaeya shook his head, a migraine threatening to form. He would visit father’s grave later. Preferably when Diluc wasn’t around.
He buried his head into his pillow, trying to waver the migraines away, when he heard a rhythm of knocks at his door. He glanced back, confused, until the door opened, and there stood a familiar relative.
Diluc peeked in, his brows furrowing into concern, then annoyance.
“Kaeya? What’s going on?”
Kaeya blinked in confusion, wondering if his mind was playing games with him. Was Diluc actually here? If so, how did he even get in? Kaeya knew he didn’t know how to pick locks, he never-
“Kaeya?” Great. He could hear a tint of worry in his brother’s voice, just barely there.
“Master Diluc, what a pleasure to be in your presence,” Kaeya smirked, his mask plastered on perfectly.
“Kaeya. I’m serious, are you okay?” This time, he let himself in, placing a bundle of keys on his desk.
Oh, so that’s how he got in.
“I’m quite fine, thank you. Why are you here?” Kaeya spoke, a little suspicion hinted at in his tone.
“Why am I- Kaeya, you haven’t been going to work, you’re barely at angel’s share, and..” Diluc trailed off, shutting his mouth.
Ah.
“Well, I appreciate you checking on me, but I’m fine.” He snapped. He didn’t mean it, he was just really really trying to fend off a rude headache.
Diluc wasn’t convinced. He strode over to Kaeya’s bed, placing the back of his hand on his brother’s forehead.
“you’re burning up.”
“Diluc, I said it’s fine-”
“Have you had medicine?” He interrupted.
Kaeya let out a sigh, shaking his head, “I was gonna sleep it off.”
Diluc looked at Kaeya like he was stupid, “Sleeping off a cold- stay here, I’m gonna grab something from Lisa.” He stood up, collecting his keys, and exiting.
Kaeya was left in a mess of confusion. Why had Diluc come to visit? He swore that he hated him after what happened on the night of his father’s death. Maybe he felt guilty? Kaeya was a child afterall who was told that his nation depended on him. Ah.. his head hurt from thinking. He clutched the sheets tightly as his consciousness was claimed by sleep.
. . . . .
“Kaeya.”
Someone was calling him..
“Kaeya, wake up.”
He awoke, a sharp pang hitting continuously at his left temple. He groaned, feeling two arms propping a pillow behind him. He slowly sank into the comfort of his pillow, sighing.
“Kaeya, I have your medicine. I know how much you hate vision healing, so i brought something from Lisa.” He gave a brief summary.. no, it was closer to a rant, but nonetheless he placed a cup down and poured the contents into the said cup.
“Here,” Diluc held the liquid to Kaeya as he took it gently, making sure not to spill any of it on his bed.
“Thank you.” He whispered, tipping the medicine back like a shot of alcohol. He coughed as he quickly downed a cup of water as well. He massaged his throat, finally glancing up at Diluc.
“..Why are you helping me?”
Diluc accidently let emotion seep through. This time, it was definitely guilt. No doubt.
“Kaeya-”
“Do you feel guilt?” He spoke, venom lacing his words. He didn’t care. He wasn’t supposed to care. “Did that night’s event finally speak to you?” He chuckled a humorless laugh, glancing up when his brother didn’t answer.
“...”
Shit.
This was it. He always ended up messing things up. Kaeya’s fingernails bit into his thigh as he regretted his words instantly. He was already forming an apology.
“I’m sor-”
Diluc then enveloped Kaeya in a tight embrace. A hug.
Kaeya’s eyes widened as tears threatened to prick at his eyes as he tried pulling away. “Diluc- I-”
“I’m sorry, Kaeya. I’m really sorry.”
Kaeya froze, his arms still.
“I’m sorry about that night, I’m sorry about our father, I’m sorry I wasn’t a good enough brother.”
Brother.
This time, Kaeya didn’t care to hold in his tears as his arms circled around Diluc’s back, pressing him in. He hugged him back.
“I’m- I’m sorry too.” Kaeya confessed, his voice elevated, and breaths coming out unevenly.
The two brothers sat there for a while, repeating apologies and sobbing quietly on each other's shoulders.
They cleaned each other up, Diluc wiping away his tears with a tissue, while Kaeya sloppily wiped his tears with his sleeve.
Diluc stood up, preparing to leave, “I’ll leave you for now, I’m sure you need the space.” He latched the keys onto his coat, turning the doorknob..
Ah, he didn’t want him to go so soon..
“Wait!” Kaeya called. It was a far fetched idea, but he had hope. A little.
Diluc turned quickly, he almost looked like he wished that Kaeya stopped him.
He held his breath. “..Stay? Please?”
Diluc looked a bit shocked, then he smiled.
“of course.”
And so, he did.