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It had been months since he had gotten captured by the Fatui. Months since he had felt the warmth of the sun and not just the cold, damp cell he had been confined to for what felt like forever. Days were the same, with bland, tasteless food. Barely any human contact.
He had almost thought it would feel more torturous to be a prisoner here, but surprisingly he hadn’t seen a lot to any of the Harbingers or higher ranked people for that matter.
Perhaps the loneliness and isolation was a method of torture in itself. Leaving him to pace the length of the cell, 4 steps long he had counted, as the only entertainment. He could see the sky, freedom, through the bars and yet it remained so far away.
In the time he had been here, he had tried to escape multiple times to no avail, without his claymore or delusion he relied only on his strength which didn’t get him very far against a mirror maiden or cicin mage.
He knew those escape attempts would most likely only make his punishment worse but it was something to do, planning the escapes made him feel sane. Less powerless. But then he would be brought back to the cell and reality would dawn on him again.
When he wasn’t pacing or planning an escape he would sit on his bed and think about home. What would Father think if he could see Diluc now? How was Kaeya and Jean doing, were they safe, were they still with the knights? He wasn’t sure anymore. He really hoped Kaeya was okay, Diluc had almost killed him the last time he saw his adoptive brother.
Some nights, he had nightmares that he succeeded. He just prayed it wasn’t real, that it was his mind making up worst case scenarios.
But he was never quite sure.
Sitting in the same cell for days on end, he felt he was slowly losing the last of his sanity. Or maybe using his delusion had done that and he was first feeling the effects now.
Without the glove on his left hand he could see the scarring left from using it. Scars that looked like burn marks which started at the hand and made their way up his arm.
On most days it hurt, but the Fatui didn’t care enough to get him medicine or pain killers. They didn’t think he deserved it after everything he had done which he couldn’t quite blame them for. After all, he had killed hundreds, if not thousands, of their comrades.
At some point during the slaughter he had lost count. It probably wasn’t a good thing but there was nothing he could do to change it now.
Diluc had lost count of the days, until eventually something changed. Childe, the 11th Harbinger was outside his cell, someone unlocking the door for him.
The red haired man eyed the other warily as he entered the cell, “well comrade. Looks like your time here is almost up.” What… had he been released? There’s no way. Not after all he had done. “The Tsaritsa has decided your punishment.” The Harbinger continued as he walked towards Diluc who in return took a step back.
There was no way Diluc would ever trust the man in front of him for even a second. Yet in the limited space, with no way to protect himself other than kicking and thrashing it didn’t take long before his hands were cuffed behind him and he was being led through the palace.
Towards his judgment.
His mind was racing, trying to come up with any escape. But really there was nothing he could do. Was this how he died? Without ever apologizing to Kaeya. Without ever saying goodbye to Adelinde and Elzer. So far away from his homeland.
There were so many regrets and nothing he could do, his gaze locked on the floor even as he stood in front of The Jester, the director of the harbingers, he didn’t look up.
He stared down at Diluc, an unreadable expression on his face. There were other harbingers present, The Captain, The Knave, The Doctor, Regrator and Childe. But Diluc paid them no mind. “Her Majesty, The Tsaritsa, has decreed as follows: “I hereby declare that Diluc Ragnvindr has been found guilty of his crimes.” Unsurprising, really. Diluc had seen that coming from the moment he was captured and thrown in jail.
Still, Pierro continued, “he is to be punished by having all of his memories erased. He will become a wanderer with no recollection of his previous life, nor any memories of the Fatui.”
Diluc’s head shot up. “No! Y-you can’t do that!” His voice trembled, he would much rather die than forget everyone, everything. Kaeya, Father, Adelinde, Jean. All of Mondstadt.
He tried to run, but with so many harbingers there… He was never making it far. Someone grabbed him and brought him back before he had even reached the door, “no! Let go of me!” Diluc screamed, trying anything to get away.
No one in the hall batted an eye or lifted a finger to help him as The Knave stepped forward, holding a bottle with some type of flame that just screamed cursed.
Her expression was neutral, unwavering. Not an ounce of regret or remorse as she carefully unscrewed the lid.
Diluc had never felt fear like this before.
His life flashed before his eyes, all the things he would never get to do or say. All the regrets, he should never have left Mondstadt, he should never have gone after the Fatui.
As the lid opened he felt a stray tear fall down his cheek.
Then the pain hit.
All consuming fire took over his body, it was pain like nothing he had never experienced before. It felt like his soul was being ripped apart, his very being torn from the inside.
The scream he let out was one of pure agony.
He couldn’t breathe, not as the pain started to spread further and further, numbing his body parts one by one until he collapsed onto his knees and then down onto the floor. The pain he felt from falling onto the ground was nothing compared to what he was feeling.
It felt as if it dragged on forever, Diluc was sure he was going to die.
There were multiple times where he blacked out only for the pain to wake him up again before unconscious could properly claim him.
Agony spread through his veins as if they were the ones on fire, and it went straight to his heart and then up to his head which felt like it was being split in two. Saying he had a throbbing headache would be the understatement of the year. His vision was blurring and he wasn’t sure if it was due to the pain, or the tears.
Eventually it subsided a little but his limbs hurt so much thanks to residue pain that he couldn’t move them to try and get off the floor.
When he finally did try to move was when he finally passed out.
- - -
There was not a lot he could remember. For the past 7 months he had wandered around the world he had learned was named Teyvat.
The first thing he did remember was being told he had been banished from Snezhnaya, being handed a claymore and something called a delusion, and being told that if he was ever to return he would be punished via execution.
He couldn't remember what he had done to be banished, nor did he have the mind to question anything as he fled the place he had been in.
The most confusing thing was that he could not even remember his own name, nor where he came from. Once at a tavern in Natlan he had seen wine from a place called Dawn Winery and somehow… somehow it sounded so familiar. But he couldn't place his finger on it. Either way he decided on the name Dawn, since it was getting awkward when people asked his name and he had to explain that he did not remember.
However, due to his lack of memories he had this sense of dissatisfaction. Like something was missing but he could not explain what since he didn't remember.
Dawn wasn't sure who he had been, nor did he know who he was supposed to be. He was simply a nameless traveler with no purpose, no place in the world and nowhere to call home.
For the first few months he had tried to figure out how he had lost his memories, then he had tried to figure out who he was, but to no avail.
So he walked and he traveled with no destination in mind, however as he had been instructed he stayed away from Snezhnaya.
Eventually, he was led to Sumeru City, walking around aimlessly as he had done for a long time now.
A place by the name Lambards Tavern had caught his attention.
If there was one place to gain information it was taverns, perhaps there was someone who knew anything about his condition. About whatever had caused him to lose his memories.
The atmosphere inside was lively, people chatting in booths and at the bar, tables filled with people drinking and eating.
A warm, soft, glow capsulated the room in an aura that almost made it feel safe.
Almost.
Dawn wasn't sure why, but he never truly felt safe. Always looking over his shoulder, perhaps it was just the life of a wanderer.
He sat down at the bar and ordered a glass of wine.
It was a little strange, he never really liked the taste of wine and somehow it still reminded him of home despite having no memories of it.
Along with the order he placed a few mora on the counter “keep the change.” He said, too tired to care as he removed his hood, long red hair cascading over his shoulders and down his lower back.
Normally he would have tied it back into a pony tail although it had come loose during his last fight and hadn't bothered to put it back up.
As the glass was put on the counter in front of him Dawn was hit with the feeling that he was being watched. He tapped his finger on the table trying to determine if someone was watching him.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
The people in the corner? No, too focused on their debate.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
It wasn't the students either, talking about a thesis and an exam project, too immersed in their work to pay any attention to him.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
There.
In one of the booths some people had been playing a card game which now seemed to have paused in the middle of it. Dawn risked a glance back at them.
5 people. A man with fox ears. A girl with green hair, definitely the youngest. A blonde man who was definitely the worst at hiding his stare while the others were at least trying to be subtle about it. Someone with gray hair who looked like the type to work at the Akademiya and finally a man with white hair.
Dawn stopped tapping his finger as he focused back on his drink. Hopefully the strangers would just mind their own business.
There was quiet chatter among them, however he paid them no mind as he swirled the wine in the glass, watching the liquid move back and forth with great fascination. It definitely wasn’t a sweet wine, if anything it left a fruity aftertaste in his mouth. His face scrunched up a bit at the taste. But more so at the memories he could feel just out of his reach.
He barely realized someone had sat down next to him, “what did that glass of wine ever do to you?” The person asked he hadn’t even realized he had been glaring at the alcohol until it was pointed out. Dawn barely spared them, the gray haired guy from before, a glance. “None of your business.” He responded, a bit colder than he had intended to. But hopefully it got the message across that he would much rather be left alone.
The two sat in silence, Dawn having no interest in talking to anyone and the other? He definitely knew what he wanted to say, the calculated look in his eyes said it all. Yet he was studying Dawn as if something was bothering him. “You’re not from around here.” It wasn’t a question. It was a statement.
“I’m not.” Dawn confirmed, although it wasn’t really needed. His clothing was nothing like the styles you would find in Sumeru. He didn’t look like anyone from the city, forest nor desert. He was a complete outsider.
“It’s a cool glove you have there.” The stranger said, gesturing to the one with the delusion on it. Dawn glanced down at it for the moment before finally looking at the stranger. “I guess it is.”
“Where did you get it?” Ah. Straight to the point. “Why, are you looking for one? Hate to break it to you, but I can’t help you.”
Really all Dawn wanted was an evening to relax and do nothing after traveling for a long time, and here he was getting questioned. The guy next to him hummed, “I see. Interesting.”
Dawn took another small sip of his wine, “you asked me a question. I feel like it’s only fair if I ask one back.”
“Shoot.”
“What’s your name?”
The fancy guy with gray hair was very good at controlling his micro expressions, not letting anything show. And if he did, it was most likely what he wanted Dawn to know, still he answered in what he could only assume to be a truthful answer, “Alhaitham.”
“Where did you get it?” Alhaitham crossed one leg over the other, turning his full attention to the red head next to him.
“I don’t remember.”
“You don’t remember? Getting a delusion isn’t easy and doing any type of deal with the Fatui is bound to be something you want to remember. So forgive me for not believing that.”
During his travels Dawn had learned about delusions, how they were different from visions, how they were created by the Fatui and about how the Fatui were evil.
Ah… They thought he had connections with the Fatui thanks to his delusion. Hence the questions and distrustful looks.
“I lost all my memories. I don’t know how I got the delusion, but I’m not with the Fatui.”
If anything, Alhaitham seemed surprised by his response, although barely showed it. He wasn’t very expressive it seemed. “You lost your memories? How?”
“...If I remembered I would tell you.”
“I see.” Alhaitham stood up. “Thanks for answering my questions.” With that he returned to the table he had been previously sitting at. Whispering and glances thrown, clearly discussing the new information they had gained.
Not like it really mattered. By tomorrow Dawn would leave again and see what else the world had to offer him, explore the rainforest or head towards the Chasm and Liyue. He couldn't care less what some strangers thought of him.
Finally, he could just enjoy his wine in peace, no people questioning him. Although he did have to figure out accommodations for the night, perhaps he could set up a tent a bit outside the city. Although he did risk running into fungi and eremites so he would have to be careful.
“Excuse me?”
Dawn was an introvert by nature, also why the life of a wanderer suited him just fine, so two people coming up to him in one night definitely wasn’t what he had thought would happen.
Still, remaining as polite as he could he turned to face the person talking to him and… ah. The fox guy with the big ears who was friends with Alhaitham.
Dawn raised an eyebrow, what could that group possibly want with him? “Yes?”
“My name is Tighnari. I’m a forest watcher of Avidiya Forest. My friend mentioned you having amnesia and I wondered if perhaps you wanted my help to see if I could fix it, or at least find out why?”
That was definitely not what Dawn had expected, but as he looked around the tavern, seeing people happy with their friends and families he realized he wanted that. He wanted to know if he had a family out there. “Alright.”
So by the end of the night Dawn was in Gandharva ville with Tighnari, Collei and Cyno agreeing to stay for just a little while longer while they tried to figure out what had happened and how to restore his memories.
While he didn’t have any mora to offer in return, he was still given a hut near the outskirts of the village, the only payment they wanted was for him to put the delusion away in a drawer or other container which he easily agreed to. Dawn still had his claymore and had no real emotional attachment to the delusion (and if he did he certainly didn’t remember) and any mention of the Fatui seemed to make Collei slightly uncomfortable so he was more than willing to help ease her anxieties.
Maybe he would stay in Sumeru just a little longer than he had initially intended to.
- - -
Kaeyas trip to Sumeru had certainly been eventful so far, between visiting the busy streets of Sumeru city, meetings, running into the traveler and Dainsleif yesterday he was pretty tired and ready to return home. There were a few things still on his to-do list, like seeing a play in the Zubayr theater.
Although today he was visiting Port Ormos, it was bustling with people, vendors calling out the tourists passing by in order to sell their wares.
The infrastructure was beautiful as well, intricate designs which Kaeya could study for hours and probably still find new details to admire. Like everything had been planned out down to the last brick, it was actually impressive.
He walked between booths, looking for souvenirs and gifts to bring back home since he had extra time and mora anyway although there really wasn’t anything in particular catching his eye.
There were all sorts of people walking through the port, people unloading ships with various crates, others preparing supplies to set sail once more. There were people buying various fruits and containers.
…Including someone who looked suspiciously like Kaeyas missing brother.
The red hair was unmistakable, although it was longer now. But there were probably a lot of other people in Teyvat with fiery red hair, there was no way it was Diluc buying something from a street vendor. The chances of running into him here in Port Ormos of all places was just too small.
Then he looked up and Kaeyas suspicions were confirmed, that was definitely Diluc.
At that moment there were so many thoughts running through Kaeyas mind, why was he here? Why hadn’t he come back yet? Did he not want to see Kaeya, would it be wrong to approach him? Last time they had seen each other Diluc had attempted to murder him, was he still not over Kaeyas betrayal. Or was he still mourning Crepus?
A lot can change in 4 years, it felt like ages ago the rain had pelted down on him as Kaeya was left in the mud clutching his vision, watching as his older brother turned and left, his pyro vision left on the ground.
Now Diluc didn’t even spare him a glance as he turned and walked in the opposite direction.
Kaeya wanted to yell out to him, follow after him. But he wasn’t sure it wasn’t the right thing to do. After all this time? There was a chance their reunion wouldn’t be heartfelt, instead a lot of yelling and anger.
After all, Diluc had every right to be angry at Kaeya for what he did.
But, after all this time Kaeya wanted to talk to him. Perhaps it was selfish but he still started walking in the direction he had seen his adoptive brother go.
He needed to talk to Diluc, just hear he was okay. But if Kaeya went back to Mondstadt now he would forever regret not taking the opportunity when he had it. Even if Diluc told him he never wanted to see his face again, it was some type of closure, something Kaeya desperately needed. Maybe more than he realized up until now.
Kaeya walked in that direction only to realize he had lost sight of Diluc. Ugh, of course his adoptive brother would possess the ability to leave unnoticed. Well, not all hope was lost as Kaeya held his head high and walked towards the vendor, “excuse me? The guy who was just here, do you know where he was headed?”
For a moment the stranger, a guy with brunette hair and brown eyes looked confused, “Dawn? He’s been staying with the forest rangers in Gandharva Ville. He just came to pick up some stuff for Mr. Tighnari.”
Very clever Diluc, using a pseudonym that has the exact same meaning as your actual name.
Kaeya couldn’t help but be a little disappointed at how uncreative the name ‘Dawn’ was. Still he thanked the vendor and left in the direction of Avidiya forest. Gandharva Ville was quite the walk away from here if he remembered.
Now came the question though, why was Diluc staying with the forest rangers of all people? They were kind people from what Kaeya knew yet they didn’t exactly seem like the people Diluc would hang out with, let alone live with like the vendor had implied.
But there was still time to get answers to his questions.
There was also the question about who this Tighnari character was. Why was Diluc helping him, what did either of them have to gain?
His mind was running at 100 miles an hour, but there was only one place to get answers but something felt wrong about this entire situation, like there was a piece of the puzzle missing. A bigger picture that Kaeya couldn’t quite see yet.
All in due time though.
At least the forest was pretty, trees reaching high into the sky, casting a shadow over Kaeya and the ground. It wasn’t necessarily cold but a chill breeze did run through the foliage. Perhaps the anemo archon was watching over Diluc even all the way in Sumeru.
He wasn’t sure how long he had been walking when he reached a split path, rocks hiding the path that went down to the left, yet Kaeya could hear a voice coming from there “come on, Rana, Master Tighnari is waiting for us.”
The first thing he noticed was how the voice sounded vaguely familiar, it definitely belonged to a young girl. But he couldn’t place his finger quite where he had heard it before. The second thing he noticed was that the name Tighnari was mentioned again, this time referred to as Master. So whoever it was must be a student of his.
Kaeya turned the corner only to face to face with… “Collei?”
The green haired girl let out a squeak and turned to face him “C-captain Kaeya!” She exclaimed, taking a step back. The first thing he noticed was how different she looked since they had last seen each other. Her hair was longer now, reaching to around her shoulders and she was no longer covered in bandages. Rather she was wearing something a forest watcher would.
Next to Collei stood another girl, probably around Kaeyas age, maybe a bit younger, she had long brown hair and was presumably a forest watcher as well.
“Who is this?” The girl with brown hair, Rana, asked.
“I’m Cavalry Captain Kaeya of Ordo Favonious.” He said before Collei could even open her mouth. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, and you are?”
He already knew her name, Collei had said it earlier, still it was only proper etiquette that he asked, “I’m Rana, a forest ranger. And this is Collei, a trainee… But it seems you already know each other?”
Smiling, Kaeya nodded, “she was in Mondstadt for a while where we met briefly.” He almost continued telling the story, but Collei quickly interrupted him, “So! What are you doing in Sumeru?”
“Well, I came on some official business, but now that I finished I was actually heading to Gandharva Ville.” Sure, he was actually looking for his estranged brother but there was no reason to disclose that information right now.
“We just finished our patrol and were about to head back. We can go together if you want?” Rana suggested, much to Kaeyas surprise. He quickly agreed, this trip would be nothing but amusing with Collei there who seemed a bit apprehensive but didn’t argue as they began walking.
The young forest ranger still kept her distance from the cavalry captain and seemed more alert, jumping at even small noises and kept glancing back at him. It wasn’t surprising she felt uncomfortable around him considering their last encounter and how Kaeya had tried to kill her in the past.
Rana seemed to sense the tension between the two but did not comment on it. Kaeya almost felt bad for her with how she kept trying to make small talk but quickly gave up. Kaeya was more than happy to talk with her, chatting about his vacation and experiences in Sumeru so far while she talked about her work as a forest ranger. Collei mostly stayed quiet but that was her choice.
It didn’t take that long to reach the village, the roots connecting the huts standing out compared to the dirt path they had been traveling along thus far. The canopy opened up slightly letting sunlight glow on the plants that had been placed in pots outside the homes. There were people walking, forest rangers, travelers, adventurers even the occasional merchant.
Kaeya smiled politely at all of them, even when he got the occasional odd look.
However, none of the people there caught his attention, he was focused on looking for a particular someone and he did find Diluc in the crowd eventually. Standing in the entrance of one of the huts, speaking to someone with giant fox ears on the top of their head.
“Master!” Collei said, hurrying up to the forest ranger and began talking to him in a hushed tone.
But if he was honest, Kaeya could care less about what she was saying about him right now. His gaze was locked on Diluc who looked back, his expression as unreadable as ever. He seemed to have changed quite a bit. Kaeya couldn’t put his finger on it, but something with the way Diluc held himself, the way he looked Kaeya up and down, something simply felt different.
One thing did stand out, the stubble on his chin did cause him to look an awful lot like Crepus.
Maybe it was the fact that Diluc hadn’t told him to fuck off yet, or that he hadn’t said a single word in general. But something was wrong.
“Diluc.” Kaeya said in a greeting, watching as his expression turned to one of confusion. “Diluc…” He echoed, trailing off as he looked deep in thought.
This was definitely strange, something was wrong. Something was very wrong and Kaeya had no idea what it was.
“Do you know this man, Captain Kaeya?” The man with the fox ears said, from context clues he would assume this was the Tighnari that had been mentioned by the vendor and Collei. “Yes. We trained together in Mondstadt when we were younger.” Sure, they were raised alongside each other, but this was a stranger and talking openly about something that could later be used against him was not Kaeyas style. Besides, Diluc would correct him if he wanted them to know.
Tighnari seemed deep in thought for a moment before nodding to himself, “come on. We need to talk in private.”
Something was wrong, alarm bells were going off in Kaeyas head, still he nodded, following Tighnari and Diluc inside with Collei trailing slightly behind and closing the leaf behind her when she had entered.
Diluc still seemed a bit off, as he once again muttered his name under his breath as Kaeya took a seat at what seemed to be the dining table while Tighnari sat opposite him. “So, you know Dawn, or well, Diluc?”
Kaeya nodded, glancing towards his younger brother, “yes, I know Master Diluc of Dawn Winery.” He had hoped for a reaction, anything to gauge how Diluc was doing after so many years away. That hopefully using his title would give any sign of recognition but nothing. If anything he just looked more confused. “Dawn Winery?” Once again, it seemed like Diluc was just echoing whatever he was saying. Sounding as if the words left a slightly bitter taste on his tongue.
“Dawn Winery you say? I see…” Tighnari was the one to speak, trailing off slightly towards the end.
No one met his eyes as he looked around the room, suddenly everything went quiet, “what’s wrong?” Kaeya demanded to know. It wasn’t really a question. Something was off about Diluc, something had changed in the past 4 years and he needed to know what.
The forest ranger across from him sighed, “currently Diluc is in my care as he seems to suffer from some kind of amnesia.” It felt like Kaeyas' world stopped for a moment as he heard the words but it felt like they weren’t quite registering. There was so much behind it that he couldn’t process it. “He can’t remember anything at all.” Tighnari continued.
“But I heard he went by Dawn now. Diluc means dawn and he was raised in Dawn Winery.”
Finally, Diluc spoke. “I couldn’t explain it, but I heard the word Dawn once in a tavern and I just felt a connection to it. I guess I know why now.”
Kaeyas heart shattered, even the tone he spoke with was different, quieter, less assertive somehow but also cold and distant. Once he had been a leader, a captain. Now he kept Kaeya at an arm's distance.
Diluc really did not remember his own brother.
“Do we know what happened?” Kaeya wasn’t sure he wanted to know the answer, but he felt the need to ask anyway.
He wasn’t sure if he should feel relieved or not when Tighnari shook his head, “this is unlike anything I’ve ever seen before. Normally in amnesia cases it can be only part of the memory, maybe traumatic memories being repressed to protect the person. Or they show signs of head injuries. This is none of that, no head injuries, no memories at all. It’s very strange and no medicine seems to be helping.”
No medicine is helping. The realization hit hard that the man in front of him was no longer his brother, nothing but a husk of the great and promising man he had last seen on Dilucs 18th birthday. All memories of their childhood were gone.
Kaeya was not someone who showed his emotions in public, especially not in front of strangers but right now he really wanted to cry.
“Could showing him Mondstadt help at all, if he felt a connection to wine from Dawn Winery enough to name himself after it, maybe actually seeing the mansion would help?” Kaeya suggested.
“It may be worth a shot,” Tighnari agreed, “but it depends on what Diluc wants to do.”
“I… I want my memories back. If nothing else maybe I can figure out who I am. Maybe I have a family.” Ouch, that one hurt. “Or someone else who knew who I am.”
A part of him had expected it to be harder to convince Diluc to go with him but he was happy to see that was not the case. But making the trip back to Mondstadt would take a while and probably be awkward for the both, even if they traveled by ship. It would make the journey shorter but still not easy.
Tighnari nodded. “I’m glad. There unfortunately wasn’t much else I could do treatment wise. All I have been able to do was give him a safe place to stay. Being a traveler can be dangerous if you have no idea how the world works.”
Kaeya nodded in agreement, “I appreciate all you have done for Diluc.”
“Of course, it’s my duty. When do you plan on setting off?”
“Hopefully as soon as possible, if that’s okay with Diluc. He has been greatly missed.” Kaeya glanced at his brother, who almost seemed surprised there was someone who missed him. Like the thought had crossed his mind that he might have family or friends, but he hadn’t considered it much more than just that.
Suddenly, all eyes were on the red head. “That’s alright with me. I’ll just need to grab a few of my items.”
“Oh, like what?” Kaeya inquired, suddenly interested in what items Diluc may have collected during the 4 years he had been gone.
“I had a delusion. Actually, do you know where I got it from, if you knew me from before I lost my memories I mean.”
“A delusion..? Ah, yes. That belonged to your father, you took it after he tragically passed.” Hopefully that would answer most of Dilucs questions, this was a conversation he would much rather not have in front of strangers.
Then, Kaeya paused, a realization suddenly hitting him as he remembered the pyro vision sitting in the drawer in his office back in Mondstadt “wait… could Dilucs amnesia be related to the prolonged distance from his vision?”
The forest ranger hummed, “it’s a possibility. We didn’t even consider him having a vision since most people would never willingly part with theirs.”
“It’s back in Mondstadt.” Kaeya said but didn’t clarify further why Diluc had left it.
“All the more important for me to go back, right?” Diluc crossed his arms and for just a second he looked so much like the older brother Kaeya had once known. Some of the mannerisms were the same, but so different at once, his body language was different, less assertive. His tone was off as well, but it was still Diluc anyway.
Besides, Diluc had said he wanted to find out about his family, and Adelinde had missed him greatly. Maybe he would even work for the knights again.
Or perhaps Kaeya was getting ahead of himself, that he may have gotten Diluc back, but not really. Perhaps it would never be the same. And that was probably the most terrifying possibility.
A part of Kaeya had known that even if he ever returned, their relationship would never be the same again after that night. Maybe this was a chance to mend things, or maybe that would be taking advantage of Dilucs situation.
Would it be for the better if he took Diluc back to Mondstadt and then never talked to him again until the red haired man was ready? Or, in the case that his memories didn’t return, would that hurt him. That he had finally found someone who knew him only for them to abandon him.
Only time would tell.
Despite all the uncertainties, Kaeya wrapped an arm around his brother's shoulders, “come on Diluc. Let’s get you home.”