Chapter Text
Diluc Ragnividr groaned as the sun fell over his eyes, head pounding hard from barely any sleep.
Rolling over, he buried his face into the pillow, groaning, trying to tell Adelinde to close the curtains without having to speak. If he tried, it would probably come out as gibberish, he was not a morning person.
The maid, sadly, did not comply.
He sat up slowly, rubbing his temples while she ruffled through his bedside table to find the pills he took for pain.
Migraines happened often, brought on by too little sleep and too much work. This morning, however, he was quite confused at why his head was pulsing so strongly.
He had taken off work the day before and only cleared one domain early in the night where he procured no injuries, only a slight feeling of wrongness as he exited through the Ley Line. He wasn’t even sure he hadn’t imagined it.
Even then, he returned to the winery by eleven and went straight to bed. With how high the sun was outside it was at least eight in the morning.
Plenty of time to sleep yet he hadn’t. Tossing and turning all night, unable to get more than a few minutes at a time. Even getting up and jogging in place to tire his body out, starting to consider putting his Darknight outfit back on to go beat up some hillichurls. He had shot that idea down quickly. Adelinde would kill him if she found out.
It was quite safe to say he was annoyed, especially at the prospect of a full work day and tavern duties, right on top of a hint from one of his informants about a group of hostile fatui next to the border with Liyue, a good distance away.
Along with a several hour meeting, which Adelinde reminded him of as she handed him a glass of water and the pills.
Perfect. He loved a good dose of social interaction right in the morning on no sleep.
He stood, exhausted legs trembling beneath him. That would fade as the day went on, at least, he hoped it would.
“Are you alright Diluc?”
He froze. Adelinde had never, or at least, rarely used his name without a title in front. Did he really look so bad she slipped?
“I’m fine Addie, just a bit tired.” He turned away, walking slowly toward his closet to get ready for the impending meeting, completely missing the look of confusion on the maid’s face at his unbidden response.
__________________
It was 5pm and Diluc was going insane.
Or at least that’s what he thought as he treked down the path back to the winery after the longest meeting of his life. Which, ironically, had been cut short.
He had arrived on time, as usual, greeted the merchants with a nod and took his place at the table.
Two merchants from Liyue, four from Fontaine, three from Sumeru, along with their attendants. All together there were 15 people in the room. Though most of the attendants left soon after the meeting started, for which Diluc was extremely grateful.
After what happened he would rather never face a single person again, not to mention a crowd.
The discussion begun. As was normal with these overly formal visits, everyone being extremely polite while trying to drain the resources of others. Maybe he was being a bit too mean but his head hurt too much to bother thinking nice of others.
He had joined only when necessary. When asked a question. Well.... if he thought they asked a question he answered.
Wouldn’t boats be more efficient? Why is he here, didn’t he go into debt just last month? Idiot, why even suggest that? The trading to inazuma isn’t possible at this moment so how did you manage a deal? Why is the sky blue and the grass green? Master Diluc is terrifying, how is he only 23? The trade routes to Sumeru keep getting blocked off, does anyone have a solution?
So many voices. Too many to be just the people in the room. They all spoke over each other, no regard for others. Attendants even jumped in with the most illogical questions and no one else paid them any mind. Yet he answered. Answered as many as he could. In response, they continued his conversation until no one knew what anyone was talking about and the rest of the meeting was postponed.
At least that’s what Diluc thought happened. How should he know? He’s going insane.
It wasn’t like he was disappointed. He hated these meetings. He was awful at them. Even as a teen he would stand in the back trying to learn as his father negotiated. No matter how much he tried he was awkward and no good at debates. That hadn’t changed through the 5 years that passed since he left Mondstadt. Still horrible at conversation and pleasantries.
Unlike his brother who could get anyone wrapped around his finger with a few words and a drink or two. He was the perfect one. The one Diluc always strived to be. Never awkward, always smiling and gracious. Movements graceful, voice smooth.
Kaeya may have been adopted but he was more like Crepus than Diluc was, not counting the red hair and eyes.
The pounding in his head spiked again as he rounded a bend in the path to Dawn Winery. He sighed in relief. All he wanted to do was fall into bed and not wake until everyone else was gone. There were no maids in sight, for which he was grateful. He looked a mess.
The door to Elzer’s office squeaked, he should ask the maids to oil the hinges later.
“Master Diluc, you’re back.”
“He looks exhausted, maybe I should’ve gone instead."
Diluc shook his head, “It’s fine Elzer, you work hard enough already, it's the least I can do” an attempt at normalcy, pretending he didn’t hear two voices from the silver haired man.
He missed the look of confusion as he turned to greet Adelinde who spoke.
“Master Diluc how was the meeting?"
“He looks awful, maybe I should have let him rest more this morning instead of waking him.”
From Elzer’s direction,
“Is there something wrong Master Diluc?”
“He’s not answering…”
Adelinde, “Master Diluc?”
“He’s so pale, he’s about to collapse from exhaustion isn’t he!! He went out last night I’m sure of it!. Is he injured?!”
“Are you hurt Master Diluc?”
“Sit down, I'll get some water."
“Come here, you can—“
“STOP!!!!!!!” Diluc grabbed his head, overwhelmed with noise, bending over, panting, ripping at his own hair to make it stop.
“Make it stop… please… STOP!! JUST STOP!!!!!”
He couldn't make out what the voices said, hands touched his shoulders, trying to calm him. He jerked away, eyes wild.
He couldn’t breathe, the walls closed and his vision started to go black.
He was hyperventilating.
He needed air.
Needed quiet.
He would die in here.
He ran.
______________
Diluc found himself inside the city walls well past dark. He stood in the shadow of the Goth Grand Hotel, the mansion he used to call his home before he sold it in a rage, wanting to be rid of everything that reminded him of his father.
It had been a mistake. He saw the pain in Kaeya’s eye when he passed, missing the old home as much as Diluc did. Maybe more. Diluc had the Winery, all Kaeya had was a few paintings.
He stood staring up at the dark building, so different from the bright, happy house it used to be.
Overrun with fatui. He turned in disgust going to exit the gate. Adelinde and Elzer would be worried, Diluc hurt them enough as it is, no need to make them think he was losing his mind. No matter if he thought that himself.
Pausing he looked toward the tavern. He should go and tell Charles that he couldn’t work his shift tonight. The man worked so hard he deserved a heads up… and a raise, if Diluc really thought about it.
The stone wall was cold as he leaned against it trying to ease the headache that persisted despite all the painkillers he had taken throughout the day.
Groaning, he slowly straightened up and pointed his feet towards the tavern. It almost seemed hard to get himself to move as though his mind was working against him.
Arriving just out of sight of the occupants he stared at the door for a long while. seemingly not able to open it especially when he saw a certain blue haired captain lounging inside.
Maybe his mind was against this too because it almost hurt to turn the doorknob and enter the crowded room.
He regretted it immediately.
**********
Kaeya was tired. Work was hard. Patrols were hard. Life was hard.
What did he do when he was tired? A myriad of things. He baked, a lesser known hobby of his which barely had any time to flourish because of the understaffed knights.
Or he would hike to the top of Stormbearer mountains and sit on the edge, staring at the sky.
Sometimes if he had a couple hours, he would walk through Dragonspine, relishing in the cold wind. If he was just socially tired he would take Klee fish blasting. She was one of the few who could make him smile. Really smile.
Once in a while he would pass Dawn Winery during patrols and stare at it from a small cliff. Catching glimpses of Diluc working or wandering around the fields always brightened his day.
He also came to the tavern. Not often for comfort, mostly for interrogation/chats with Rosaria or informants.
Sometimes, though, he came and sat at the bar rather than a back table. He only did this on Mondays and Thursdays when he knew his brother would be there a few feet away. They could talk, or, well, Kaeya could insult trying to get a rise and Diluc would rarely comply.
It was nice though, knowing he could still talk to the redhead, could still have some semblance of connection with his long lost sibling no matter how small, how much it hurt to form.
Today was one of those days when he didn’t invite Rosaria or Venti, didn’t sit in the corner. He would be up front, and today he would actually try to talk to his brother. No insulting, just a calm conversation.
He hoped.
But when did the world ever give him what he hoped for.
Checking the clock he saw that it was almost eleven. Much past when Diluc was supposed to get here. That worried him. The winemaster was rarely late.
‘Is he doing work? Am I here on the wrong day? Is he taking a day off? What if he’s injured? Or doing his Darknight things? Or he could be sick? Captured? I need to find him.’
He knew he had no right to worry over his brother yet was actually rising from his chair when Diluc finally entered the tavern. Not from the back into the bar but from the front door which was odd.
He looked awful. Red hair tangled and huge circles under his eyes. He didn’t limp but seemed weighed down, walking slow he approached the counter. He kept stopping for brief moments, squeezing his eyes shut in what seemed like pain.
He didn’t seem to see Kaeya when he looked around but instead his gaze went straight through. That was worrisome. All of this was worrisome!
Kaeya dug through his pockets trying to find the painkillers he kept in one of them. Problem was, he had quite a few. All the while his mind was racing over Diluc.
‘He looks awful, is he injured? Does he need my help? No, why would he need me but maybe Barbara? Does Adelinde know he’s….. like this? He looks really sick…. I should drag him to the infirmary. He won't like me doing that…. UGHHH!!! I HATE HOW HELPLESS I AM!!!!’
He could tell his frustration showed on his face but he didn’t care. Finding the bottle he looked up to find the Redhead staring at him with wide, clouded eyes. Actually at him this time, not through him. Diluc looked….. scared?
The expression he had on reminded Kaeya of the times his brother would hide behind their father, he never admitted to being scared but Kaeya had lots of experience with seeing that expression. Truthfully, when Kaeya examined the countenance he could see that Diluc needed a hug, someone to hide behind.
‘Not me. He won't want me. I’m a traitor, a spy, he hates me so why is he looking at me like that? He’s hurt isn’t he, I need to help.’
“Dil—“
A brawl broke out behind him and yelling filled the air. Diluc stumbled forward clutching his head, moaning softly. Kaeya doubted anyone could hear but him.
He rose, grabbed his brother’s wrist, dragging him outside into the relative quiet that formed after the door swung shut.
Examining Diluc he couldn’t find any injuries. He wanted to look closer at his head just in case of concussion but doubted the man would let him, even in this exhausted state.
He was extremely worried, a feeling that escalated the longer Diluc ignored what he said and just stared.
Kaeya grabbed his shoulders, looking him right in the eye, causing Diluc to jolt and turn away.
“Mm not injured.”
It was quiet.
"Are you sick?"
"...no."
"Poisoned? Spiked?"
He shook his head then winced and looked down.
“Then why?! C’mon you need to tell me! Or at least tell Barbara!”
“Kaeya let go, I’m fine.”
“NO YOU’RE NOT!!!” Kaeya was yelling now, shaking Diluc’s shoulders.
The man groaned and collapsed into him, grabbing at his head again.
“Archons! 'Luc, I’m sorry!” Kaeya could barely keep Diluc up but held onto him until his brother looked back at him and struggled to stand.
“Here take these,” he tried to keep his voice soft as he poured some pills into his hand and held them out, along with a bottle of water he carried.
Diluc took them with shaking hands.
‘Good, he's not being stubborn… probably because he’s in too much pain.’
“Can you tell me what’s wrong now?”
“Nothings wrong, just a migraine."
“Diluc, I’m supposed to be the liar here."
That made the Pyro Allogen glare then turn and head down the street towards the gates.
“Stop! Diluc where are you go—?"
“Leave me alone, you shouldn’t care anyway. Now go away”
Kaeya stopped still and stared frozen at the figure who soon was enveloped by darkness beyond the bridge. His eye wide and worried.
Slowly he turned back to the tavern. ‘I’ll go tomorrow as soon as I have a work break. He’ll make it home right? Ughhhh I should’ve followed him!!’
Frustrated, he found the tavern closed. The brawl had probably gotten to violent and Charles had shut down for the night.
Turning home, he wondered if he’d be able to sleep.
He doubted it.