Chapter Text
"Good morning Master Diluc! How are you this fine day?"
"Why are you here?"
Diluc had just walked down the stairs to find Kaeya in his dining room, halfway through a plate of pancakes.
"Can I not come visit my dear brother from time to time?"
"I'm not your brother." He hated how the words always slipped out. Habit more than meaning.
"As you've reminded me countless times."
Was that... Resentment in Kaeya's voice? Loneliness? Sadness? No, he was back to his normal smile. Diluc had imagined it.
"Why are you here?"
"Always to the point, no time for pleasantries. You'd think a nobleman would have better manners."
"Kaeya."
"Fine, fine. Jean wanted to give you this." It was a folder. One that hopefully gave him permission to plant another few acres of grapes in the next year.
"...why did you come instead of a lower ranking knight?"
"Maybe I wanted to see you?"
"Hmph, doubt it."
"Alright fine, I needed a break and this comes with Addie's cooking so I had very little choice."
"Sounds like you had a lot of choice."
"To you maybe."
Adelinde came in with two more plates. One she placed in front of Kaeya since his was now empty and the other in front of Diluc.
"Thank you Addie." He sat down heavily, wincing at the pain in his side and arms. He hoped they wouldn't start bleeding again. His sleeves were white and Kaeya would surely notice.
He glanced over to the Captain to see if he had seen the slight display of weakness, but no, Kaeya was completely focused on his food. Good, Diluc was too tired to argue his way out of this.
"Are you going to continue ignoring me or should I take advantage of this and go steal--ahem-- borrow some wine from your cellars?"
Diluc's head hurt. He couldn't understand what Kaeya said, the words blurring together. He just glared and hoped Kaeya would get the hint and stop talking.
"My, my, I know you're not a morning person but I'd expect you to feel better by," he glanced to the click on the wall and raised an eyebrow, " ten o'clock?"
"...I had a late night." The cold water Adelinde gave him seemed to help clear his head somewhat. Enough to understand Kaeya's words.
"Oh yes, I heard. The Darknight hero has been quite active these past few days."
"It's none of your business."
"I'm a knight in charge of overseeing what this vigilante does, so, yes, it is my business. It's also technically my job."
"Hmph."
"That would be interesting..."
"What?" How much did he miss? Did he say something wrong? Archons, his head hurt!
"Hmm? Oh I was thinking of acting like you for a bit. Moody, grumpy, what is it... Fischl has a word that perfectly encapsulates you, it was.... Oh yes! Emo!"
"...emo?"
"It's a new phrase. I believe most who are subject to the term wear all black, are obsessed with death and darkness, and rarely smile. Perfect fit, don't you think?"
He didn't catch any of that just blinked at Kaeya in confusion. Maybe that was the right answer because Kaeya laughed and finished off his plate.
"I believe I will. Though I might keep these clothes on, black is much too dark, it doesn't match my eyes at all."
"Gold and black match well." He hadn't meant to say that.
Kaeyas eyebrows shot up. "Oh?... Well, it's not exactly visible at most times so I'll stick with my other eye."
"... right." Stupid answer.
"Are you going to finish that?"
"I--- what?" His arms had started a deep ache that left them shaking, imperceptibly he hoped.
"Your pancakes. Can I have them?"
"Uhh... Sure?"
"Thanks." He reached over and took Diluc's plate, digging in like he hadn't already had three other piles.
"...no problem." He didn't need to answer there. He should stop talking. His vision was growing blurry. "Are you eating well?"
Oops. That popped out.
"Hmm? Keep asking things like that I'll actually start thinking you care about me."
'keep asking things--? What did Kaeya mean? Was there more to that sentence?' " I don't-" he stopped. No answering.
Kaeya seemed to deflate. He set down his fork. "Ahh, yes." He breathed deeply. Diluc took a sip of water. He needed to focus.
"I'll be off then. It's obvious you're busy."
'What did I say that said I'm busy? He's leaving? I didn't mean--'
"Kaeya, wait." Why did he say that? More importantly what comes after?
"What?" The Captain has stopped in front of the door. The front door. Diluc looked behind. When had he walked this far?
The dizziness hit hard. He was going to fall over. He looked down. Red stains were starting to appear on his sleeves. He was going to pass out, vision covered in black spots.
"Diluc? I have work, what did you need to say?"
"If you had work why did you come here and spend an hour relaxing?"
Kaeya blinked in surprise. 'What did I say?' His thoughts were scrambled. All he wanted was to fall forward into his brother and sleep. He needed Kaeya to go so he could collapse without bothering his younger brother.
"Master Diluc? Did you just call me back to insult me or was there a reason?"
How did Diluc make him leave? He glanced down again at the blood slowly seeping through the fabric. Red. So red. Blood always reminded him of Father.
And thinking of Father always reminded him of how Kaeya thought Diluc hates him and Diluc never did anything to change his mind. The words were out before he could stop them.
"Father, he-- I've never-- hated you Kaeya."
Kaeya froze completely. His face going from annoyance to...
He laughed softly, "... Thank you for reminding me of that. I'm going to leave now." His voice was raspy as though he was going to cry. He turned and was gone.
Diluc fell to the floor, the thump alerting Adelinde who rushed to him. His arms were quickly coated in blood.
"Stay with me, my little firefly." Addie worked to bandage the deep cuts and called for Elzer so they could get Diluc to bed. Kaeya was quickly forgotten.
*******************
Kaeya closed the door softly behind him. Slamming it felt too loud. He walked in a daze, not knowing where he was going. To the city maybe? He didn't care.
What had he done to prompt Diluc to tell him that? He pushed him too far somehow. Was Diluc more exhausted than he let on? It was his fault for not seeing the signs. He never should have come.
He tripped, falling to the ground against a tree. A clearing. In Wolvendom, it looked like. Not to the city then. He curled up. Tears started to fall.
This is how he was. He lied everyday, every waking second but when he heard the truth he cried. His life was a lie he learned to believe, he couldn't understand the concept of truth. That's why he was lying there, on the cold ground, sobbing.
He didn't deserve to cry but how could he not? After all, Crepus had been his father too. Maybe what Diluc said was true but that didn't change how Kaeya felt. He still loved his adoptive father and missed him every day. Almost as much as he missed Diluc.
Slowly he drifted off to sleep. It was dangerous to sleep here in the woods, especially if no one was there to watch but Kaeya didn't care. Let a Rifthound hear his sobs and come kill him. He'd deserve it. Diluc reminded him that he would.
"Father...hated you Kaeya."