Chapter Text
When Kaeya proposed to Albedo, the night after the blue haired man sat his now fiance down and explained his past - the nation he's from, his biological parents, his adoption and life with the Ragnvindrs and his fight with Diluc. Albedo knew the latter, he had looked after Kaeya during flare ups and comforted him after his nightmares. The story of that flaming claymore and all of the sleepless nights because of the nerve damage and trauma it caused brought a festering anger to Albedo's brain. He couldn’t understand Diluc’s actions, regardless of what Klee told him he would never willingly turn his blade against her. What was even more troubling is that Kaeya seemingly thought Diluc was in the right for it. Surely he could see that they both had some semblance of blame to carry? Horrible timing on his fiancés part and out of proportion response from his future brother in law. Though the worst part of it was that Albedo, as socially adept as a crystalfly could see that the two longed to return to their brotherly relationship, but somehow they didn’t see that?
Too busy arguing or silently caring for each other to look deeper into their relationship it would seem. Of course, Albedo would never push it, it wasn’t his place. Or it wasn’t, until Kaeya spent the better part of an evening drunkenly sobbing about his older brother. It was time to put a stop to this. Kaeya was particularly upset because in the planning of the twos wedding, he figured that Diluc wouldn’t want to come.
Which is an absurd notion. Diluc would go on yet another four year killing spree if he wasn’t invited to his younger brother's wedding. Less than ideal. It seemed he needed to talk to him.
–
Albedo had been to the winery before, once at least but that was just for knights' business. As the blonde trotted up though the plethora of twisting vines, a sweet but faint aroma tickled his nose, the workers of the winery were harvesting the grapes this afternoon and a gentle atmosphere settled over the property. As Albedo walks up the steps to the mainly stone entryway of the winery he spots a deep, black scorch mark embroidered into the masonry, he scuffs his feet against it, huffing absentmindedly, perhaps he could come up with something to lift the stain, make it easier for Kaeya to come here. His gut twisted at that train of thought, to think he was only here because Kaeya was stressed enough with wedding planning, he did not need to worry about his brother's reaction to the invitation.
The door to the winery opens and Jean's cheerful goodbye fills the windy air. He waves, she startles at the sight of him. Jean places her hand on Albedo's shoulder as they pass each other, Kaeya has told her of his issues regarding the wedding ceremony and his brother's invitation, Albedo doesn't doubt she's smart enough to figure out why he's here. She squeezes his shoulder, quietly wishing him good luck as Diluc and Adeline join the two on the patio. Diluc looks suspiciously at their new, unannounced guest while Adeline walks up to greet the blonde.
“Chief Alchemist, Master Diluc wasn't expecting any visitors from the knights, may I trouble you to come back later when you've made arrangements?” Ever so polite Adeline was. Somewhere in the back of his mind he mentally notes that it would be great to have someone dismiss people not pre arranged to see him, he hates surprise guests.
“I’m not here on business, I’m here about Kaeya” He replies, at that Diluc huffs and turns his attention to Albedo.
“What's he done now?” Once again, though Albedo's track record for reading facial expressions doesn't scream expert, he's pretty confident he saw a hint of concern lacing the eyes of the master of the house.
“Proposed,” Albedo reveals and ever so slightly enjoys the complete confusion and vague panic on the redhead's face. Adeline coos gently, clapping her hands together and looking at Albedo expectantly. “A few months ago actually, did he not tell you?” Once again, panic in the redhead's face. Albedo feels slightly sadistic, though not for long as the nights of complete worry about Kaeyas mental state flash through his mind. Diluc lets his face fall back to neutral, shifting his weight slightly.
“And you're telling us this… why?” Diluc mutters, the alchemist must admit, it's impressive how good Diluc is at pretending he doesn't like the man. But Albedo is an older brother as well, he knows that Diluc would be feeling all kinds of ways about this.
“Well, I have invitations to our weddings to give out.” With that he hands two pastel yellow envelopes to the pair, both with their names written with love and care, with Kaeya’s distinctive loopy handwriting. Adeline bats the invitation away, a protest bubbling in her throat, something about not fitting her station, Albedo forces the invitation back into her hands, “Since when has Kaeya cared about that? Besides, I'm sure Master Diluc would be gracious enough to let you take a day off to see his brother's wedding, huh?” His eyes turn to the redhead, his mouth is twisted, a strange mash of confusion and mock frustration greeting the blondes eyes.
“He's not my brother”
“Uh huh, you coming?”
“Yes, I’m coming, we both are.”