Chapter Text
"I'm so sorry Sir Kaeya, but Master Diluc isn't home at the moment." Adelinde sighed, her eyes apologetic.
“But perhaps you would be interested in some tea while you wait?"
Which was how Kaeya ended up inside the Dawn Winery. As soon as he stepped inside, memories clouded his mind instantly. At first he wondered if his old room was still intact, or if his brother decided to burn everything in it. He shook away the thought as he gazed at the layout of the building. It hadn't changed significantly since he had left, only small decorations laced the walls and various pictures still hung from years ago.
Kaeya snapped out of his haze when Adelinde informed him that Diluc would be returning in a couple hours, insisting that he stayed. Kaeya had hesitantly accepted, which left him to wander as his former caretaker prepared tea for the both of them.
The azurette paced around the living room, seeing an abundance of decor, but a particular one had caught his eye.
A vase he had gifted Diluc sat still and proud, shining as good as new. He internally scoffed, walking closer to the object. He observed it closely, peering inside and expecting to see flowers or shit you see inside a vase.
Instead he was met with a pile of folded paper, each differing in size. Kaeya raised an eyebrow as he fished a handful of them out, not even regarding Diluc’s privacy. What if there was intel on the Fatui? Or what if he just liked writing in diaries?
He really hoped it was the former.
The azurette unfolded the bundle of papers, straightening them out with his hands.
He began to read.
Dear K,
I’m sorry.
I’m sorry for lashing out at you
I’m sorry for making things harder
I’m sorry we couldn't be there for eachother
I’m sorry.
- D
Kaeya inhaled sharply because he knew exactly what they were.
They weren't information on the Fatui.
Neither were they written for his childish diary.
They were letters. All forwarded to him.
He flipped through the countless letters that were for him.
For Kaeya.
He didn’t release his breath. Not just yet.
He read on.
To K,
I hate you.
I hate you so much.
I wish you’d never been born, the way you keep appearing in my life.
Stop coming to the tavern
Stop trying to talk to me
Stop trying to mend our relationship.
It isn’t going to work.
I hate you.
- D
Well, that was… harsh.
His brows furrowed as he combatted the tears threatening to fall from his eyes. He threw that letter back into the vase.
Dear K,
I don’t know what to do anymore
I want to fix our relationship
I just
don’t know how.
I don’t know.
I’m usually really bad at these
I just wish we were kids again, oblivious to anything and everything
I want to go back, before Father died.
Before I heard the truth.
I’m sorry I don’t know I just
Don’t know.
- D
Okay, yeah, tears were definitely streaming down his face after he read that. His vision was blurry as he folded the rest of the letters back up. The azurette didn’t think he could read any more of his brother’s writing.
He sloppily wiped a hand across his eyes, breathing heavily to calm himself down. Then he laughed.
He laughed, and giggled, and all of the childish noises came out of him because he knew.
His brother still cared for him.
He was almost relieved. The azurette was positive that his brother hated him for all he was worth.
And it wasn’t much.
He quickly fled to the bathroom, turning on the faucet and rinsing his tear-ridden face with cold water.
When he seemed presentable enough, he walked towards the kitchen, knocking the door frame enthusiastically.
“Is the tea ready?”