Chapter Text
Ice cold tears muddled in contrast with the shining red wine that dripped from the Cavalry captain's chin as an empty wine glass joined the past 4 on the counter. He slowly raised his hand, requesting another glass from the man that stood hardly 2 feet away from him. Master Diluc, his ex sworn brother just stared back at him with an unamused look.
It had become a rather normal occurrence for the blue haired male to come to the angels share on a weekend for a drink or to, but being Mondstadts biggest lightweight, he has never let himself go so far before. He had damn near drunk himself into a stupor. He couldn't honestly expect to go to work in the morning after this, could he?
Almost as if he had been reading the taller male's mind, Kaeyas lips slowly lifted into a weak smile. “Come on now, don't look at me like that. Cant a man just drink his troubles away for once without judgement?” he asked, his voice rough thanks to the tears that continued to trail down his soft tan cheeks.
“You need to stop Kaeya.” The older male muttered with a frown, beginning to clean one of the glasses that Kaeya had left on the counter. “At this rate, you’ll fall in the river before you can get home.” He muttered before a look of pity slowly closed his features that he quickly brushed away. “How about you get yourself cleaned up, and I can walk you home at closing.” He offered. Why was he doing this?? What did he care if Kaeya drowned in the river? Just meant he would have to stop being a nuisance every chance he got.
The idea made Kaeyas' already poor mood sour further as the tears he had been trying so hard to stop began to run again with a vengeance. One nice thing. That was all he wanted. “I can't just *hic* stay… a little longer…?” He asked quietly, his visible eye darting up slightly to gaze at the redhead.The bitter part of his mind would gladly take that offer up if he wasn't so distraught.
With a sigh, the poor sleep deprived wine maker set down the cup he had been cleaning. “Fine. On one condition.” he began, crossing his arms as he spoke. “You have to tell me what's going on, that made you decide that the best option was alcohol poisoning” Hm. He hadn't thought of it that way. If he just got alcohol poisoning he wouldn't have to go through with this god forsaken plan.
But why alcohol poisoning? That would make him look like a bum. Something more noble. Pack of hilichurls? Fell into a regisvines territory? That would… hurt… but it would be worth it in the end.
“...a.”
Maybe if he just so happened to ‘go missing’. Would people bother to look for him? Jean maybe. Klee… he couldn't just leave Klee behind like that. What would it matter though? He would be abandoning her anyway come morning.
“....eya?”
Lisa was bound to have something lethal in her arsenal. Or Albedo. Just pretend it had been slipped into his drink, and there would be no one to really blame. Albedo had to have something. Whopper Flowers are lethal enough.
“Kaeya??”
His head quickly snapped back up, meeting the sharp red eyes staring back at him. Seconds turned to a minute before he finally spoke up with a quiet “Sorry… what?” He asked softly, gazing at the man above him, trying his hardest to muster his usual soft smile.
Sighing, Diluc began cleaning the glass next to him. “I asked if you were alright. You completely spaced out. You aren't blackout are you?” He frowned, disguising the concern in his voice with a slight grumble.
Kayak head slowly bobbed forward, sniffing quietly. “I just… I don't want to go yet… I don't want the night to be over…” He nearly whispered, shifting slowly until his head rested in the palm of his hand. “Once the night ends… So does everything….” He sniffed again, grabbing the glass in front of him and glaring at it when he found it was still empty.
Diluc couldn't help the pit that grew quickly in his stomach. He knew his broth-... ex brother had been a bit stressed lately, but it couldn't have gone this far… could it? “Kayea…” His voice faltered slightly, setting the glass down a second time. “Is everything alright?” He asked, trying to keep a level tone. “Kaeya… You know you can talk to me right…?” He asked softly, moving from behind the counter to take a seat. His hand gently found Kaeyas knee, trying to make eye contact, but it failed when the boy put his head down.
“I'm fine Master Diluc.” He lied through his teeth. He was anything but fine, but he hasn't reached as low as his brother clearly thought. “I'm just… going to miss Mondstadt is all…” He huffed quietly, before giving a soft chuckle. “That was probably a bad way to phrase it… Im.. moving away, for lack of a better term… Im….” He did his best to give a bright grin. “I'm getting married… Come tomorrow morning, I'll be moving off to Sumeru. To wed a scholar… I believe his name was Alhaitham?”
“You believe? Why don't you know for sure?” The redhead asked, trying to stop the quick well of jealousy and frustration. How could he just never tell him he was getting married? Did he really mean that little to him?
Kaeya glanced over oh so slightly. “Well… I've never met the man… I was only informed of it yesterday morning… Apparently Jean knew I would try to talk my way out of it…” He gave a bitter laugh, forcing his grin to remain. “Guess all those stories about marrying the person you love, and dumb stuff like that doesn't apply when you're” “Marry me.” “ The head knight- Wait what??” Kaeyas head snapped up as his gaze fell upon the man who he had sworn saw him as an enemy. He had to have heard that wrong.
“Marry me.” The red head repeated nonchalantly. “If you say we've had a wedding planned already, then they won't be able to force you to marry someone else.” He assured. Oh. *Oh* Oh no. This was bad. Marriage? With Diluc? The boy he had fallen in love with as a child, then fell for again even after that fateful night in the rain? He wouldn't survive. Although… It was probably his only chance… Perhaps… He could have this one nice thing…?
“And what exactly is in it for you?” The knight questioned. Diluc was silent for a few moments before moving his hand away from the younger male's knee. “That's not important.” He huffed. “All that matters is making sure you don't get sent off to Sumeru of all places.” He had nothing against Sumeru. Only that it may take his Kaeya away. Ugg. His Kaeya? He was starting to sound like an idiot. He was silent for a few moments before looking up and realising Kaeya had been staring at him. “Why are you looking at me like that.” He snapped.
Kaeya just gave a grin. “I said sure idiot. If there's any guy in Mondstadt I'm gonna marry, I'd certainly rather you than a drunkard.” He snickered quietly. “Majority of the men here certainly aren't quite as…. Tasteful” He quickly got to his feet then. “Well then, I should be off.” He quickly announced. Diluc gave a small frown. “Where are you going in such a hurry?” He questioned.
Kayak grin just grew brighter. “I'm off to tell Jean the wonderful news. You just wait right there my lovely fiance. You still have to walk me home after all.~” He winked, leaving a light kiss against Dilucs cheeks before quickly rushing from the tavern.
Well…. Diluc was definitely done for.