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“Master Diluc, you have a visitor.” Head Maid Adelinde announced as she opened the door for you.
You walked in, head held high.
“We need to talk.” And you weren’t taking no for an answer.
He sighed, waving Adelinde off before directing his attention to you.
“It’s about Kaeya.”
His brows dropped, and his frown deepened. “I have nothing to say regarding him.”
“Fine. Then just sit there, and listen to me.” You took a deep breath. “I’ve noticed a change in him.”
You could tell he was resisting the urge to roll his eyes, you weren’t as disciplined.
“His mask is beginning to slip.”
“It was only a matter of time.” He scoffed.
“Not that one.”
“Then which of the many ones is it?” He inquired, tone somewhat smug.
That caused you to narrow your eyes at the wine tycoon. “You know as well as I that there are only two.”
“Well then,” He leaned back in his chair, closing himself off. “I’m sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but he has lied to you.”
You exhaled through your nose before responding with something you knew he couldn’t easily brush off.
“This is your chance. You are our last hope.”
The two of you stared at each other for a long time. The weight of those words laid heavy on the already weakened tension between the two.
“So he’s told you.”
“He’s told me everything.” You said, a nervous chill spreading through you. “From before he met you, his time with you, your fight and… the death of your father.”
His face remained stoic, but you caught the emotions as they flickered through his eyes.
Surprise, disbelief and—hurt.
“I know this is something you’d rather keep buried deep within your heart, and even after death, but” Your gaze met his smoldering one, not wavering despite the heat.
“your brother needs you.”
You didn’t miss the way his jaw clenched or the pain in his eyes before he hid them away under a curtain of crimson.
“I’m not asking you to forgive him, but… there’s only so much I can do.” You placed a hand over your heart.
Just remembering made your heart ache.
“Kayea?” You called for him, voice louder than one would need, but—
He had been so distant.
He hadn’t heard you.
You placed a hand on his shoulder and called for him again.
When his gaze fell upon you, it was as if he saw through you.
To someplace far beyond he and you.
A place where the sun no longer reached.
A place where the rain seemed unending.
A place where a battle between brothers would make two into none.
A place where he no longer had to hide behind lies.
“There’s only one other person who shares in this pain, and that’s you, Diluc.” You made your way to him, placing your hands on his clenched fists.
“Please help Kaeya.”
He looked up at you.
Eyes that burned with no flame, now hazed by tears.
"Please save your brother.”