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A light drizzle steadily became a downpour as the Knights of Favonius and Lumine stood in front of the gates of Mondstadt. They were fully armed, but none drew their weapons, solemnly watching the ensuing duel between the two former brothers.
Kaeya Alberich, Mondstadt’s beloved former Cavalry Captain, now revealed to be the Prince of Khaenri’ah, had brought an army of Abyss creatures to the gates of Mondstadt under the cover of night. Unfortunately for him, Diluc had come prepared.
Diluc Ragnvindr, head of the Ragnvindr clan and estranged brother of Kaeya Alberich, raised his greatsword once again. This time, with the intention to defend his city from the looming threat that was his ex-brother, now on an even playing field as both had Visions.
Both had requested their respective sides not to interfere with their duel. Whether it was to the death or to prove a point, the fierceness could not be questioned in their battle.
Their movements were fast and precise. Kaeya easily ducked and dodged Diluc’s wide swings with lithe grace, trying to land a hit. Unfortunately for him, Diluc also knew Kaeya’s fighting style and parried Kaeya's swings with an ease born of years of sparring with and fighting alongside him. Where Cryo was unleashed with a cold ferocity, Pyro met it with fiery resolve, creating numerous Melt reactions as fast as fireworks popping in the night sky.
While Jean respected the need for this, she couldn't help but grip her arms tightly, her chin up high, eyes crinkled. She could hear the captains and knights that were particularly close to Kaeya fight to hold their composure as they whispered amongst one another with trembling voices. It wasn't everyday they could watch two of the most well-known people in Mondstadt fighting, but with the future of Mondstadt at stake this time.
The fight lasted a few minutes, which felt like ages in the onlookers' minds. The rain had begun to slow the brothers' progress, clothing thoroughly drenched with the cold slowly seeping into their bones.
Eventually, they both could barely raise their swords, chests heaving, poised for the final strike. Kaeya and Diluc sported multiple cuts, some bleeding more than others. With shouts of rage and desperation intertwined, Cryo met Pyro in a powerful burst to create Melt and Vaporize reactions in the downpour, a large cloud obscuring everyone’s visibility.
A few tense moments passed as the fog dissipated, the onlookers gasping as the silhouettes of the brothers cleared. Each of the other’s sword stuck out from the other and they breathed heavily, neither willing to concede, glaring at each other.
Then suddenly, Diluc shakily reached out and curled his left arm around Kaeya’s head, guiding his brother to his shoulder with no resistance, as Kaeya stared with a wide-eye.
“Diluc?” Kaeya asked, turning his head towards his brother with a slight frown.
“I’m…so…sorry Kaeya. For everything. I hope you understand,” Diluc managed to choke out, coughing blood all over Kaeya’s fur cape, with a slight smile.
“Di..luc? You-” Kaeya started, but then Diluc slid sideways, falling to the side with a grunt, clutching his midsection with shaking hands, unable to pull out the Black Sword, his lifeblood leaving fast. He made contact with the ground with a resounding THUMP . No one on either side of the bridge moved, not even Kaeya, who stared down at this brother.
The Uncrowned King of Mondstadt, defeated by his own brother’s hand.
Kaeya could only stare in wonder for another second longer before he too coughed up a generous amount of blood and fell forward, just barely catching himself and pulling Diluc’s greatsword out in time. It was all Kaeya could do to summon some Cryo to quickly try to staunch the grave wound. He laid on his stomach on the ground, left arm cradling his midsection, watching Diluc’s chest rise and fall slightly less than a meter away. Diluc’s eyes were barely open and unfocused, looking in Kaeya’s general direction. His Pyro Vision dimmed steadily, like a flickering heartbeat.
Barbara swiftly ran across the stone bridge to the pair and Jean’s muffled shouting reverberated in Kaeya’s ears. Shouts in the distance as weapons and magic clashed in the background, but none of it mattered. It was all Kaeya could do but to crawl towards his brother, not wanting him to be alone. Black creeped at the edges of his vision, but Kaeya gritted his teeth and slowly, but painstakingly, dragged himself across those last few centimeters to lay his fingers over his brother’s outstretched hand.
Kaeya felt, rather than saw, the life leave his brother, but not without the faintest grip back before he breathed his last. If Kaeya had one regret left before leaving soon after, it was that he didn’t get a chance to apologize to his brother before he too, closed his eye, tears mixing with the rain.
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“I’m…so…sorry Kaeya. For everything. I hope you understand,” his brother's words echoed in his ear. Diluc 's bloodied hand left a trail from Kaeya’s hair down to the fur adorning his vest as Diluc slowly fell sideways. Despite their mortal wounds, which strangely did not hurt, Kaeya tried to catch his brother before he hit the ground, but it was like watching the scene in slow-motion, his limbs refusing to move.
Upon hitting the ground, Diluc 's body shattered and turned into dust, floating away into the void. Time sped up again and Kaeya fell to his knees, tears streaming down his face as he wailed, arms filled with Diluc 's bloodstained coat.
Kaeya woke up sweating and breathing hard, the last remnants of the nightmare receding, his right eye pulsing to the incessant beeping of his alarm clock. It was 6 AM and he needed to get up for class.
He couldn't be bothered to dwell on this recurring nightmare right now. It was also his birthday, but at this point, Kaeya treated it like any other day. Even though the images were vague, especially his brother’s face, he knew the nightmare had happened because he had it for three years now, a little too often for his liking. All of his memories from his childhood through his adulthood of that other life had resurfaced slowly since the first nightmare, until he had a full understanding of his past history, minus his brother’s face. Kaeya wished he remembered the man’s name, but everytime it was within his grasp, it dissipated like dandelion seeds in the wind. He could only hazard a guess as to why those memories came back, considering the man in question was never part of his life, nor did he know where he was in this life.
So Kaeya quickly got up to get ready, stripping his sweaty pajamas and then stepped into a steaming shower. The hot water relieved his tense muscles as he hummed a Mondstadt tune favored by the patrons of Angel's Share in his past life. Once he felt alright again, he dried off and pulled on black jeans, a navy blue button down with the top two buttons undone, a plain choker, and silver rings over black-lacquered nails.
He then put on his favorite earring, commissioned in the same style as his past self’s, and styled his hair into its signature style with little effort, and finally applied some eyeliner. He still had his golden right eye and while it wouldn't draw any strange glances in this day and age, Kaeya still felt uncomfortable with it exposed. Old, or should he say, past habits, were hard to give up. He picked out his favorite eyepatch from a drawer, a simple piece of black leather with gold trimming and tied it around his head.
Checking his phone, it was a half past seven! Kaeya grabbed his leather jacket, messenger bag, and keys and rushed out of his apartment to his favorite coffee shop down the block, eager to chase away the lingering uneasiness.
On the way, Kaeya scrolled through his emails and messages, some concerning his part-time job as a model, and others about notes he exchanged with classmates that needed to catch up. He chuckled at one classmate’s message, spamming all caps and emojis over how Professor Zhongli’s exams had too much material to memorize, while they were crunching to study.
Having only gotten through half of them by the time he reached Dawn Bucks, the university students’ favorite local coffee shop, Kaeya slipped his phone back into his pocket.
The coffee shop wasn't as busy from what he could see through the windows. Kaeya opened the door to Dawn Bucks, hoping to grab the strongest coffee for today as the smell of coffee roast and freshly baked croissants and danishes wafted out. Maybe he’ll grab a croissant too. Dawn Bucks' baked goods were unrivaled, thanks to Noelle, one of the most well-known bakers for the shop. While still a freshman student at Mondstadt University, she earned her keep here as the head baker.
Kaeya headed towards a group of students waiting in line. A few of Kaeya’s classmates were there too: Albedo, Sucrose, Lisa, Jean, and Mona. International students from all over Teyvat gathered around the displays of the vibrant Mondstadt pastries on display: Sunsettia danishes, Wolfhook-frosted donuts, and Valberry tarts. Croissants, a popular bread originally from Fontaine, now available in all countries, lined the top row of the display. Kaeya smiled in relief - croissants were his favorite go-to breakfast when he was having a particularly bad day.
He scanned the coffee menu, which was written in an elegant script - it seemed they added a few new items. After some consideration, Kaeya settled on the Moonlit Alley with more coffee and less cocoa paste, and peered over at the counter. Several baristas were working today and unfortunately, the usual barista with the goatee wasn't there. Kaeya frowned. That barista was known among the students as friendly and someone who knew how to make your day just a bit better, even after some small talk.
Instead, a familiar head of flaming red hair tied in a high ponytail, in the Dawn Bucks' uniform, was behind the counter. A warm and inviting smile graced the barista’s lips, looking quite natural on him, as if unburdened by the world. He was taking a student’s order in front of him, a young lady with blonde hair and bright golden eyes. Lumine , Kaeya’s mind supplied. She was one of his forensics classmates.
When he stepped forward to place an order after Lumine stepped aside, Kaeya still couldn't figure out where he saw this man before, when he politely asked Kaeya what he would like.
Today was probably not his day, as it took a split second before the air was punched out of his lungs and he stumbled backwards, nearly knocking over some students.
"Watch it!" they hissed, but Kaeya barely registered it through the buzzing in his ears.
No, this can’t be happening , Kaeya thought as the nightmare…no memories from last night came flooding back. Flaming red hair that framed a young face and crimson eyes filled with a sad resolve. A duel in the rain that ended in mortal wounds, people shouting around them, him closing his eyes with his fingers curled over his brother’s, who had fallen silent moments before. Kaeya couldn’t…no, wouldn’t , disturb this new life his ex-brother had. He seemed happy in this life, as he should be. He didn’t deserve to be burdened with their shared history.
Everyone looked at him, including the redhead, with quizzical expressions. Kaeya apologized and hastily excused himself, citing the need to get to class, and dashed away from the coffee shop, but not before he heard a “Hey, wait!”
Kaeya ran as fast as he could and almost made it to the crosswalk to Mondstadt University when footsteps rushed towards him and someone grabbed his wrist. Spinning quickly, poised to break out of that death-like grip, Kaeya came face-to-face with that redhead, who met him with an earnest gaze. Some things haven't changed, even in this life, Kaeya thought. He relaxed his posture ever so slightly.
"Can I help you?" Kaeya asked politely, but not unkindly, trying to stop his hand from trembling. He readjusted his leather jacket with his other hand, feeling the need to at least look presentable after all that running.
"You seem familiar," the redhead started. Kaeya raised an eyebrow, his eye darting towards their hands, where his wrist was still enclosed in a death grip. The redhead's eyes trailed down, following Kaeya's gaze.
"I'm so sorry! My name's Diluc. Diluc Ragnvindr," the redhead finally released his hold and stepped back. Kaeya rubbed his wrist and stretched his fingers, feeling them tingle.
"Kaeya Alberich, pleased to make your acquaintance," Kaeya smiled, not meeting Diluc's eyes.
Diluc shuffled his feet, then took a breath. And exhaled in a rush, "Have we met before? Perhaps at one of the university's events? Or had the same class?"
"My apologies, you may have mistaken me for someone else," Kaeya replied evenly. He crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow.
"No, I don't think so,” Diluc reached up to brush Kaeya’s mussed bangs aside, settling into its normal style. Kaeya froze and blinked rapidly, his ex-brother’s gesture familiar, but also not. He wasn't sure how this Diluc would react to any gestures or quips that the past Diluc would be familiar with, so all Kaeya could do was stare at him in silence.
Then, Diluc suddenly went rigid as well, eyes widening. He stepped back carefully, looked at Kaeya with a spark of recognition, then clutched his head and grunted.
The next thing Kaeya knew, he dashed forward as Diluc swayed, nearly colliding with the cement. An eerily similar scenario to their last moments in their previous lives.
This time, Kaeya caught him around his shoulders, dragging them both (Did Diluc wield a claymore too in this life?) to the side of the busy street and gently settled them both down on the ground. Diluc’s eyes were closed, eyebrows furrowed as he took uneven breaths.
“Diluc! Diluc, are you okay?” Kaeya frantically shook his shoulders and lightly tapped his cheek. Diluc didn't respond.
Kaeya could only sit there with Diluc in his arms, counting the minutes that went by.
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Finally, after what felt like eons, Diluc's crimson eyes opened, slightly hazy as he looked around. His head still hurt, but it was a dull throb now. He was sitting on the ground, supported by strong, but cool hands. Diluc gingerly lifted his head, which had been resting on someone's shoulder, to see a stormy blue-grey eye staring down intensely at him, glassy with unshed tears.
"Kaeya, what-"
Kaeya enveloped Diluc in a hug so strong even Diluc thought his lungs would be crushed. He buried his face into Diluc's shoulder, his whole body shaking.
Diluc tried wiggling out of it. "Kaeya…air…"
Kaeya immediately released him, but still held Diluc at arm's length. Diluc took in large gulps of air, then looked into Kaeya's eye.
"I remember everything that happened…Were you...waiting this whole time?" Diluc asked, fidgeting with his hands.
"I'm not sure if it was a good idea that we met now…” Kaeya averted his gaze, his lips set in a grim line.
“What do you mean? I’m here now, aren’t I?” Diluc reached up to brush Kaeya’s bangs aside again. He really needs some hairspray or something.
Kaeya’s piercing gaze slid back towards Diluc’s.
“How…how could you be so nonchalant about this, after what I did?!” Kaeya’s lips trembled.
Diluc sighed and responded firmly. “Kaeya, it was my fault that you felt this way. We both made mistakes that night, but I made the biggest mistake: raising my sword against my own brother for something that wasn’t his fault. Though I’ve only just got my memories back, for what it’s worth, please know that I am truly sorry.”
Kaeya let out the sob he had been holding in, fingers curled tightly around Diluc’s shoulders.
Despite the still-present headache, Diluc broke out of Kaeya’s hold and sat up. He pulled Kaeya in for a hug, letting his brother ugly sob into his shoulder, not caring that his uniform got wet, as he also shed tears. Kaeya gripped the back of Diluc’s shirt, hugging him back fiercely.
When the tears slowed and they broke apart, Diluc couldn’t help but laugh when he saw Kaeya’s face.
“What? Is there something funny on my face Diluc?” Kaeya pouted, trying to wipe his tears with the back of his hand.
“Yeah, here’s a napkin. Your eyeliner’s running,” Diluc chuckled, fishing out a spare napkin from his Dawn Bucks apron.
“No way. After all that money I spent on a decent waterproof eyeliner.” Kaeya took Diluc’s offered napkin and dabbed at his face, smearing it more in some places.
“Here, let me help you with that. You just made it worse,” Diluc laughed. Kaeya scoffed, as Diluc pulled out another fresh napkin and gingerly dabbed at Kaeya’s face.
A companionable silence fell over them.
“There, now it looks like nothing happened,” Diluc said a few minutes later, tossing the napkin into a nearby trash can.
“I have to reapply my makeup, but maybe later.” Kaeya looked down at his clasped hands, his hair hiding his face.
“Kaeya.” Diluc placed his hand on top of his brother’s and squeezed it lightly. Kaeya was as still as stone.
"Kaeya,” Diluc tried again, “Can we start over?"
Kaeya’s head snapped up, his lone starry eye searching Diluc’s pleading gaze. Kaeya didn’t say anything for the longest moment and Diluc was about to retract it and say maybe it was a bad idea when Kaeya beat him to the punch.
"I would like that," Kaeya smiled softly.
Diluc broke into a grin, an expression that Kaeya missed seeing.
“Thank you,” Diluc whispered and pulled Kaeya in for yet another hug. Kaeya hugged his brother back, feeling a huge weight lifted off his shoulders and that all would be right with them in this new life. It was the best birthday he has had in years, both past and present.