Work Text:
‘’This… reminds me of that one time you pushed me into the river,’’ Kaeya spoke, his words not carrying their usual flamboyant air as he struggled to breathe. Diluc shook him as gently as possible, trying to rebalance the weight of his brother on his back.
With each step, Kaeya felt heavier, his grip loosening around Diluc’s neck. He was losing too much blood, and it was starting to seep into Diluc’s clothes as well. The situation was dire; he needed to get Kaeya to safety before…
Diluc bit the inside of his cheek as fear dawned on him, his stomach churning.
‘’I didn’t do anything like that.’ He said instead. ‘’If I remember correctly, you bumped into me and lost your balance. I just reached out to catch you.’
‘’No, no…’’ Kaeya let out an almost pathetic chuckle. His head was resting on Diluc’s shoulder, and his breath was tickling Diluc’s neck. For a moment, he thought Kaeya would object or simply keep reminiscing. There were many moments when one of them fell into the river and got scolded for it; he could be talking about an entirely different day, and it would’ve made no difference because in the end, Diluc would be piggybacking a crying Kaeya back to the mansion. Whether he was crying because he was hurt or because Diluc got hurt didn’t matter.
Diluc allowed himself to smile a little. It took their father too long to get Kaeya to show any sort of emotion. When he brought in the scrawny-looking kid on that fateful stormy night, he looked like a shell of a human being. He ate and slept and followed every rule to the point of causing a little mischievous Diluc to make up stupid rules to see if he would follow them.
He did.
Diluc didn’t get the satisfaction he thought he would get out of it.
Then one day Kaeya decided to join when Diluc was playing with the train set their father bought for them, his red locomotive on the tracks and Kaeya’s blue one sitting by the box, waiting to be picked up and played with.
He took the toy train and slid it back and forth on the tracks aimlessly, awkwardly mimicking what Diluc did.
It was a moment of feeling a light go on in your brain for Diluc. He carefully slid his train towards Kaeya and bumped into it, casually attempting to whistle.
It amused Kaeya more than the game itself, and that moment was the first time Diluc heard him laugh.
‘’Father?’’ Kaeya’s voice brought him back to the moment. He was starting to slip off his back, so Diluc shook him again, gripping him tighter around the thighs and bending a little bit forward so Kaeya could stay on his back just a little bit longer.
‘’Wake up,’ Diluc gritted his teeth, his stomach dropping. ‘’Kaeya, wake up!’
‘’Father…’’
Diluc hurried his steps, willing his body to move faster. He was trying to climb up on this godforsaken mountainous terrain, and to his luck, a blizzard was brewing.
When he found Kaeya, he was sitting in the middle of a pool of blood. Diluc was more than happy to find out that not all of them belonged to Kaeya.
The first question he could ask was a simple ‘Who?’.
The implication was heavy in the air. While the terror of losing another one was shaking him from his core, Diluc’s head was swarming with questions.
Who did this to you?
And more importantly… just who are you?
‘’Master Diluc?’
Diluc’s whole body tensed at the sudden intrusion of his thoughts, his hands reflexively reaching for his sword that was already materializing.
He let out a relieved sigh when he realized who it was. Luck was on Kaeya’s side for now.
‘’Albedo. He needs help.’
When Kaeya’s back hit the bedroll, Diluc’s knees gave up. He absentmindedly watched his trembling hands and knees. There was blood all over him, already drying.
He looked around, trying to make sense of his surroundings despite his fatigue. The cave the alchemist built his lab in was in a secluded area, away from the prying eyes and unnecessary distractions.
It could hardly be called a cozy place with all the machines, books, and materials scattered around.
While the cave didn’t go in too deep, it was still protected from the harsh elements of the mountain. Upon closer inspection, Diluc realized there was an attempt at creating an… atmosphere of some kind. Many candles were sitting on the desks and on the ground. Freshly picked flowers were placed by the bedrolls, along with a bowl full of fruits. He smelled soup on the stove, the ashes keeping it warm.
Albedo had two bedrolls lying behind big crates, adding a sense of security, privacy, and comfort. Kaeya was laid upon one of them, motionless and paler than before.
His eyepatch had loosened and slid slightly up on his forehead. Albedo, ever the observant, caught Diluc staring and swiftly moved the eyepatch back down, covering Kaeya’s eye and tying it firmly like he was hiding a precious treasure.
‘’What happened?’ He asked without sparing him a glance, gathering all sorts of materials in an empty box. His face appeared neutral, devoid of emotions, and his hands were steady as he worked around the lab, but Diluc could feel the air around him change. He was working with the frenzy of a true scientist; his rationality was fighting to stay on top.
There was an accusatory undertone in his question. It left a bitter taste in Diluc’s mouth.
‘’I didn’t do it.’ He crossed his arms, annoyance suddenly spiking up.
‘’I didn’t say you did.’
Diluc bit his tongue before he could argue further. Now wasn’t the time for this. Kaeya needed urgent help, and Albedo was his only option. Returning to the city, especially while the blizzard was picking up, would kill Kaeya faster than the blood loss.
‘’Do you know what you are doing?’ He reached for the alchemist’s arm before Albedo could inject something into Kaeya’s arm.
‘’I’m no healer, Master Diluc,’ Albedo answered honestly and patiently, ’What I’m doing is simply gaining us time before the real healers can take over. This,’’ he showed the syringe, ‘’will thicken his blood so that I can examine his wound without him bleeding dry. I will stitch him up, but I can’t tell just how much internal damage he got; a simple stitch might not cut it.’
Still, it was the best shot they had, and Diluc understood it. He allowed Albedo to work on Kaeya, watching as he cleaned the wound and inspected it. Pain crossed his eyes for a mere second before he returned to cold professionalism. Diluc would’ve missed it if he weren’t watching Albedo like a hawk. Any wrong move and Diluc would’ve seized an opportunity to strike.
‘’I believe he got jumped from behind,’’ Albedo spoke after a while, his finger gently tracing the outline of the stitches. ‘’There was a residue of elemental energy in and around the wound. Judging by the damage, I believe the perpetrator is a pyro wielder. Was there anything unusual around Kaeya when you found him?’
Now that he asked, Diluc realized he had never thought about it. He vividly remembered what he did up until the moment he found Kaeya, but his memory got fuzzy after that. He tried to focus, mentally following his steps back.
He remembered seeing Kaeya leaning back on a rock near the curve on the Snow-Covered Path, a hand covering his wound while the other was limp by his side. There was a box, broken, and its contents were scattered around. He recalled seeing fish and small lamp grass, painted red with Kaeya’s blood. He didn’t have his sword out, probably didn’t get any time for it if what Albedo said was true.
Kaeya was on his way here, Diluc was certain now. The candles, the flowers, the ingredients Kaeya was carrying, two bedrolls… They were going to stay here together. Knowing Kaeya, he was probably frolicking, his steps bouncy with joy.
And they struck right at that moment.
‘’He is going to be alright.’’ Albedo’s voice cut through the haze, acting as a lifeline. He needed to be strong, both mentally and physically. Even though the bleeding had stopped, Kaeya still needed transfusions, healers, and a place to rest safely. This cave was far too open for Diluc’s liking. They didn’t know if the perpetrator was lurking around or if they were going to attack again. After the blizzard, he had to move Kaeya to the winery. He could find healers in the city, perhaps contact Jean privately and ask for Barbara’s help.
Kaeya’s situation was better kept a secret. He knew Jean was trustworthy despite his certain dislike of the knights.
He spared a glance at Albedo, then at Kaeya.
He had to trust him, not because Kaeya did -because his choices were definitely questionable at best-, but because he knew how capable the guy was. His knowledge was far and broad, and he proved to be skillful in all sorts of topics. After watching him fix Kaeya’s eyepatch gently, seeing the care he put into stitching and bandaging him, noticing the little details around the cave aimed at Kaeya’s comfort… he knew he made the right call by coming here.
That didn’t mean he enjoyed the company.
He certainly didn’t like the guy. There was something in his gut telling him to beware of him. There was too much secrecy and not enough answers. Alice had reassured him about Albedo, even going as far as trusting him with her daughter, as if proving a point. Jean seemed to be in the same boat. While she might have been wary of him at the beginning, she had grown fond of him.
Varka, however, was a different story. He jested and laughed, poking fun at how distrustful Diluc was being. Then he said-
Suddenly, there was a bowl of soup in front of him.
‘’You need to eat,’’ Albedo said as he offered the bowl. It smelled earthy and creamy, and judging by the lumps, it seemed to be mushroom soup. Diluc’s stomach growled at the sight. He had been too focused on saving Kaeya that he had forgotten about his own needs.
‘’Thank you,’ he accepted the bowl without any fuss.
After that, Albedo got up and looked through a few crates, seemingly in search of something. He moved through them swiftly before he found what he was looking for.
There was another bedroll in his hands. It looked to be in a better shape than the two on the ground, its color brighter.
‘’This belongs to Sucrose,’’ he explained as he laid it out near the campfire. ‘’I don’t have any spare bedrolls, so I can only offer you hers. I’m sure she won’t mind.’ He laid it on the other side of the campfire, putting some space between him and Kaeya, but still in the field of vision.
He was starting to get weary, his exhaustion finally catching up to him. He knew he was going to fall asleep as soon as he was done with the soup. The cold that had seeped into his bones had thawed already, and now all he felt was a pleasant warmth on his skin.
Albedo was going to sleep next to Kaeya, Diluc realized. He held his tongue back from making a comment about it. He had no right to question the depth of their relationship. It seemed like this was a regular setup for them. Even if it wasn’t, Albedo didn’t seem like a guy who would shy away from a little bit of skinship. And Kaeya… well, he wasn’t exactly subtle about his attraction to the alchemist.
‘’You should rest now,’’ Albedo said as he carefully cradled Kaeya’s wrist between his hands and checked his pulse. ‘’I’ll wake you up when the blizzard passes. We should get help as soon as possible; there’s no time to waste.’’
Diluc nodded, Varka’s words echoing in the depths of his heart. His rationality clashed with wishful thinking. He wanted to trust him, but Kaeya was too close to his heart to leave him in a stranger’s hands.
His eyelids were getting heavy.
For once, Diluc chose to ignore the gnawing feeling in his heart.
He better be okay. We have a lot to talk about.
Diluc opened his eyes to the semi-darkness, the campfire already in fumes. He didn’t move, lying motionless and listening for any suspicious activity. When he made sure it was okay, he slowly turned his neck. From where he was lying, he could clearly see Kaeya and Albedo, the latter still awake and sitting next to Kaeya.
He was combing through Kaeya’s hair, his pace slow and thorough. He was starting from the scalp and going all the way to the tips. There was a bowl next to them in which Albedo dipped the comb frequently. He was moving methodically, making sure there wasn’t any knots.
It was… a private moment, Diluc felt like he shouldn’t be watching this.
Albedo religiously kept working on Kaeya’s hair. After the combing, he gathered his hair in his hands and started braiding slowly. Every twist and turn was done meticulously. When he was done, Albedo tied the end with something Diluc couldn’t figure out in the darkness.
Then Albedo did something Diluc could’ve never foreseen. He bent down and pressed his lips against Kaeya’s lips. He stayed like that for a good few seconds before moving back ever so slightly, watching Kaeya’s face from up close.
‘’You promised me a date,’’ he whispered, unaware or unwilling to address their company. ‘’Hang on a little tight.’’
Hed had enough of playing the peeping tom. Diluc shut his eyes and tried to fall asleep quickly. This was intimate, something Diluc should’ve never been a part of.
He tried to focus on wind and prayed that Barbatos was watching over them.
When he woke up again, it was with a violent shudder. The adrenaline kicked in and like an arrow, he shot straight up and reached for his weapon. His mind had been slow to catch up on what his body had already picked up on. There was someone close to him.
‘’It’s me, Albedo.’’ The person spoke calmly as if it wasn’t a greatsword aimed straight at his neck. ‘’The blizzard had died down finally. We must go now. Kaeya is getting worse.’
Kaeya was getting worse.
Diluc rose to his feet as quickly as possible. He was still a bit sluggish, but his earlier frenzy helped get rid of most of his grogginess.
Albedo had already prepared a makeshift stretcher using his bedroll, a few thick sticks and rope. He stationed himself at the feet, leaving the head to Diluc.
‘’We are going to move him in 3. One, two, three!’’ On cue, they swiftly transferred Kaeya to the stretcher.
‘’How is he?’ Diluc asked the question he was dreading, thanking Barbatos that it was Albedo’s back facing him. The guy was eerily observant. Diluc often felt like he was getting dissected.
‘’He is experiencing hypovolemic shock, I think. He has lost too much blood, there isn’t enough for his organs to work properly. He needs healers and needs them now.’
He waited to hear something lighthearted, something that would ease the claws around his heart. Nothing came. Albedo didn’t make it any easier, didn’t try to cheer him up or gave him any hope. He laid it bare and heavy in front of Diluc. The situation was dire, simple as that.
It took a little bit of trying to find the correct walking pace since Albedo was shorter than Diluc, but they made it work somehow.
It reminded Diluc of his time in the knights. From walking behind their father’s back in the vineyard to marching behind Varka’s vast and strong back, Kaeya had always been a constant in his life. Since they were sworn brothers and they were almost the same height and weight, Varka often paired them together to strengthen their bond. They had practiced everything together. Carrying wounded soldiers, building and dismantling a campsite, cooking and cleaning, sword fighting and hand combat… They had done everything together.
When Diluc was appointed the Cavalry Captain, it was Kaeya who had been the happiest.
‘’Diluc?’’ A weak voice called his name and Diluc almost let go of the stretcher from the sheer shock of it. Kaeya was looking up at him with bleary, unfocused eyes.
‘’I’m here,’’ He said, trying to contain the whirlwind of emotions he was experiencing. ‘’You are going to be fine. Hang on tight.’’
Kaeya called his name again, weaker this time. ‘’I’m sorry…’’
What was he being sorry for, Diluc had no idea.
‘’Father…’’ He mumbled, now barely audible. ‘’my fault…’’
The twinge of pain Diluc felt in that moment… An old, aching wound reopened, the hounds of the past clawing up, hunting for the peace Diluc had carefully grown around himself. As Kaeya fell into slumber again, Diluc felt a twisted relief.
He bit the inside of his cheek, scared of what he might say.
Albedo’s silence was heavy in the air.
‘’We should go to my manor,’ Diluc said when they finally made it to the vineyard. ‘’My staff are trustworthy people. Kaeya will be well taken care of and have privacy.’
‘’I must sent a report to Jean,’’ Albedo spoke for the first time since they have left his lab. ‘’Will it be a problem?’
Why would it be a problem, Diluc was about to ask, then he remembered Jean wasn’t the Jean that was their best friend growing up. She was the Acting Grandmaster, the knight filling in Varka’s seat for the time being.
‘’No, I’ll have my hawk deliver it for you.’’
First things first, they needed a healer. Barbara was the best option; she was Jean’s sister and a talented healer. She was trustworthy in Diluc’s book. He decided he would personally ask for her help.
Adeline had been anxiously waiting for him when they arrived. It seemed the night had been rough on everyone. She panicked upon seeing the state Kaeya was in, but was quick to recollect herself. She ordered the other maids to get the guest room ready for Albedo. They moved Kaeya into his old room which was always kept in prim and proper conditions just in case. The pristine white linens got stained with blood and mud as soon as Kaeya was laid on them.
‘’I’ll fetch a healer,’’ Diluc said to Albedo who only nodded in return, his gaze never leaving Kaeya. ‘’Adeline, get my hawk ready to deliver a letter to Jean. I’ll be back as quickly as I can.’’
After Diluc’s departure, Albedo was left alone with Kaeya in his old room. The maids have returned to their duties, perhaps they wanted to give them some privacy. Albedo got up from the edge of the bed and closed the door softly. Then he walked back to the bed, lying next to Kaeya. There was a layer of cold sweat on his forehead, his usually vibrant skin now a dull color. The wound didn’t seem to be infected but it still needed attention.
Albedo sighed and wrapped an arm around Kaeya’s middle. He pressed his forehead to Kaeya’s neck, feeling the faint pulse beneath the cold skin.
‘’Klee will be heartbroken if she loses her big brother,’ He spoke softly, ’Jean will lose her support pillar. You are the best she has. Venti will lose his drinking partner. Don’t even get me started on all those sad songs he will write about you.’ He smiled, pressing his mouth onto Kaeya’s skin.
‘’Diluc was worried about you. He doesn’t say it, but I can tell. He may act cold and indifferent, but he does all he can to save you. Don’t go before you two handful brats kiss and make up, Kaeya.’
He waited for something, maybe a reaction, but nothing came.
‘’I put too much time and effort into maintaining this taxing cycle humans call a relationship, Kaeya. If you go now, it’ll all be in vain. You know how much I hate wasting my time.’ He stroked Kaeya’s cheek with his knuckles.
No, that wasn’t what he wanted to say.
Rhinedottir, his mother and master, has taught her a lot and equipped him with a vast knowledge and a variety of skills, but it seemed she fell short on feelings department. Perhaps that was precisely why she wanted to send him to Mondstadt; to teach him how to become a real human.
So, he tried again. This time he relied not on Rhinedottir’s distant, sterile knowledge but on Mondstadt’s warmth and genuineness.
‘’I still haven’t told you how I feel about you.’ He cradled Kaeya’s hand between his own and brought it to his lips. ‘’I think you knew before I realized it for myself. Still, you have a right to hear it from me. I’ll tell you when you wake up, okay? So stay strong, my prince.’ He pressed one last kiss to Kaeya’s hand before sitting up. As if they were waiting for him, someone knocked on the door and didn’t enter the room till they heard Albedo call them in.
‘’Master Albedo, the hawk is ready to deliver your letter.’ Adeline said, another maid tailing her. She brought a pen and a stack of paper, passing them to Albedo. After thanking her, Albedo quickly got to writing his report, starting from the point he found Diluc and Kaeya to their current situation. He also mentioned his suspicions regarding the perpetrator and a possible course of action to take, emitting certain details.
Adeline was waiting for him patiently by the door. As soon as Albedo was done signing the report and putting it into the envelope, Adeline took it and passed it to the maid following her. She ordered her to tie it to the hawk’s leg and gave her instructions on how to get it to deliver to Master Jean.
When they were alone, Adelinde cleared her throat. She closed the door carefully, checking if anyone was in the corridor.
‘’Master Albedo,’ She closed her eyes as if what she was about to say physically pained her. ‘’I want to ask you something, but I need to know if you can keep it a secret.’ She gazed at Kaeya, her face twisted in agony and anxiety.
‘’It wasn’t Diluc,’ Albedo decided to have mercy, sparing her from the trouble of doubt. Not this time. Looking at the eyepatch, he heard Adelinde let out a sigh of relief. Her knees buckled under her weight, so she leaned against the doorframe.
‘’Thank Lord Barbatos, she prayed, her hand on her heart. Then her eyes found Albedo’s. ‘’And thank you, Master Albedo. Master Diluc told me what you’ve done to save Master Kaeya. You have my deepest, most sincere gratitude.’ She bowed her head. ‘’If you need anything, just ask, please.’
‘’Actually,’ Albedo said, ‘’Would you tell me more about Kaeya and Diluc’s past?’ He had heard bits and pieces from Kaeya and other people close to them, but never in detail. Standing in this room that used to belong to Kaeya, his interest was renewed.
‘’Don’t…’’ Kaeya suddenly spoke, causing them whiplash. ‘’tell him… about the accident.’
Albedo was the first to break out of the initial shock. He filled a glass with water and brought it to Kaeya’s lips.
‘’Take small sips,’ He tilted Kaeya’s head forward gently, helping him to drink water. Kaeya didn’t look any better, but at least his consciousness was still there. Albedo wondered just how long he was awake for.
‘’Oh,’’ Adelinde’s lips curved into a tired yet mischievous smile. She was already beside Kaeya, checking for his fever. ‘’The accident where you two decided to jump into a wine barrel from the roof and Master Diluc broke his leg?’
‘’It was… Diluc’s… idea.’’
‘’No, it wasn’t,’’ The man walked into the room, followed by a man Albedo didn’t recognize and a very frantic Barbara. ‘’And no, he doesn’t mean that accident. In fact, he doesn’t mean any accident at all. He is delirious from all the blood loss.’ He crossed his arms over his chest. ‘’It surprised me to learn not all blood in his system turned to wine, considering the number of nights I see him at the tavern.’
‘’Loud…’ Kaeya just said, his face scrunched. Diluc clicked his tongue. He motioned to the guy with his head, and he immediately got to work. He opened the bag he brought with him and pulled out many items. In under a few minutes, the room was turned into a makeshift medical tent. Kaeya was connected to a blood bag with one arm and had a stethoscope pressed to the other. After listening to Kaeya’s pulse, the guy sanitized his hands and the wound, inspecting it carefully.
‘’The stitch is done nicely, I don’t see the point of redoing it,’ He started explaining once he was done, sanitizing his hands again. He moved to Kaeya’s head and checked his eyes. Kaeya grunted in discomfort. ‘’There doesn’t seem to be any internal bleeding or head trauma, but he has lost a significant amount of blood. The first few nights are critical. He should be monitored constantly to see if there is any change in his condition.’ He pointed at the blood bag, ‘’I’ll supply him with opioids after this. The rest will depend on the little miss.’’
The little miss in question was trying her best to hold back her tears. She nodded at the implications of the doctor, already taking a seat on the bed by Kaeya’s legs.
‘’I’ll do my best!’ She said with utmost determination. Albedo was aware that just like Klee, Barbara was loved like a little sister by all of them. The whole ordeal almost felt cruel. How would Klee feel if she were suddenly trusted with her big brother’s life, someone she cherished and treasured?
‘’Thanks, doc.’ Diluc broke the silence. He turned to Adelinde and nodded. She seemed to get the message easily.
‘’This way, Mr. Hudson.’ She gestured at the door, ’We have freshly brewed coffee.’
She closed the door after herself.
Barbara was already on the job, using her elemental skills with fervor. Her eyes were still wet, but she refused to let go of them. She reminded Albedo a lot of her older sister. As she continued to work, refusing to rest even as she was visibly tired, life slowly returned to Kaeya. The vibrancy of his skin returned, his pale lips regaining their pink hue. His eyes fluttered open like a butterfly. With a heavy, slow hand, he held on to Barbara.
‘’Enough, little one.’ He tried to offer a smile.
And just like that, Barbara’s wall of strength crumbled. She threw herself at Kaeya, wrapping an arm around his neck. Kaeya let out an oof, yet he still tried to hug her back.
‘’Thank you.’ He said as Barbara cried, hushing her with gentle strokes.
She left with a promise to be back soon, leaving the three of them alone. There was a new awkwardness in the air.
‘’How long have you been awake?’ Diluc asked, leaning against the window frame, watching the garden as if there was little that interested him.
‘’Since a little bird started singing for me,’ Kaeya let out a tired, dreamy sigh. He tried to focus on Albedo, his eyes squinted. Diluc rolled his eyes at that.
‘’Do you remember who did this to you?’
The room fell heavy under the question. They all knew it was meaningless; who did it was obvious. If they were human, Kaeya would’ve left the fight unscathed. This was something dark and sinister, imprinting its putrid energy on Kaeya.
‘’My, my, Master Diluc,’’ Kaeya attempted to soften the atmosphere. ‘’Worried much?’ He tried to sit up, wincing when his wound ached. Albedo was on his side in an instant, supporting him from the side and rearranging the pillows so that he could half sit and half lie. When their eyes met, Albedo’s pulse quickened. Kaeya was smiling at him, a knowing look in his tired eyes.
Diluc cleared his throat, and the magic of the moment dissolved much to Albedo’s annoyance.
‘’It was the Abyss Order.’ Kaeya said, his tone serious. ‘I was being stalked for some time already, I’m sure you remember what I told you last week. I think they are putting some kind of plan into action and need me to play a part in it.’
Albedo didn’t know anything about it. He felt like he was intruding on a private conversation, and he didn’t enjoy it one bit. Kaeya had spoken to Diluc about being stalked and left him out on purpose. He could understand the motive behind it; Albedo himself had secrets of his own. Subject 2 came up in a conversation much, much later than Albedo had dealt with it. Still, the pang of hurt and slight disappointment didn’t immediately go away.
‘’I’m sure that’s why you were following me.’ Kaeya continued, wincing as he turned his head a bit too left to properly look at Diluc.
‘’I wasn’t-‘’ Diluc immediately started defensively, but he dropped his attitude fast. ‘’I was tipped something was festering around Dragonspine.’’ He said instead. ‘’My hawk was circling the area, that’s how I found you.’
It circled back to Albedo. He had mentioned in a meeting with the knights that the Abyssal activity was spiking in some parts of Dragonspine. It wasn’t Durin’s usual, random spikes, but a more deliberate activity. That’s why Kaeya was on his way to Albedo’s lab. They were ordered to inspect the area together for a few days. Kaeya was to stay with Albedo at his campsite. He was delighted to hear it, jokingly promising Albedo a date. Perhaps it was Jean who tipped Diluc since his vineyard was close to the skirts of Dragonspine.
‘’My special thanks to all of you for saving my life,’ Kaeya offered a smile. ‘And I’m sorry for the trouble I caused, Master Diluc. Albedo and I will be out of your hair as soon as this is done.’ He gestured at his arm, ’Please send a tab to the HQ.’
Something akin to irritation crossed Diluc’s features. He stomped closer, grabbing Kaeya by the collar angrily and shaking him. Kaeya grunted, his eyelids closing shut in pain. Albedo’s hand flew instinctively, his fingers wrapping around Diluc’s wrist firmly. He wasn’t hurting him yet; this was a warning.
‘’Don’t’’ Diluc spoke through gritted teeth, ’treat this like a transaction.’ He let go of Kaeya’s collar, ripping his arm from Albedo’s grip. He turned his back to them, taking a deep breath. This was a display of trust in a sense, Albedo guessed. He was still ready to face any threat, but it was more subdued now.
Then slowly, Diluc sat in the chair on the other side of Kaeya. His mask of indifference had been broken already. Maybe he had had enough of pretending.
‘’You were mumbling to yourself…’’ Diluc said, his chin down. His bangs were obscuring his eyes, making it harder for Albedo to read him. ‘’You kept calling for father.’’ He pressed his elbows on the bed, his palms covering his eyes. ‘’For a moment, I wasn’t sure who you were calling for. Then I realized… that it didn’t matter.’’
‘’I always assumed I’d feel lighthearted if you were gone. As if the constant buzzing in my ear would finally go away, that my heart would be settled at long last. Then I found you half-dead in some cold, desolate place in a pool of your blood… And then you called for father… I-’’ He shook his head, finally dropping his hands and showing his face, ‘’I got scared, Kaeya. I got scared that the last remnants of my little brother would actually be gone and that things would be left unsaid and incomplete. Our father would never forgive me. I’m not sure if he could forgive me for what I had already done.’’
Kaeya touched the eyepatch that was still firmly tied around his head. His eye was wet with unshed tears, and his lips were quivering. Upon seeing that, Albedo thought about excusing himself to give them some privacy. This was no longer a conversation he could be a part of. He was still not completely at ease with leaving Kaeya alone with Diluc, but now he knew there wasn’t any imminent threat. He moved to get up when Kaeya’s hold on his forearm stopped him. He pleaded silently with his eyes.
‘’Mas-, no… Diluc,’’ Kaeya turned to face his brother, ‘’before you take this conversation somewhere you’ll regret, there is something I haven’t told you yet.’’ His eyes briefly met Albedo’s. He knew what Kaeya was about to reveal and could predict the possible outcomes. Albedo wouldn’t be exposed by any means; he had little to no doubt regarding that. ‘’About why they are going to this much trouble for a simple spy. It’s because I’m not, I’m actually-‘’
‘’Don’t say any more than that.’ Diluc stopped him before Kaeya could finish. ‘’I… am not ready to hear it yet. I’ll just ask you one single question, and I demand an honest answer. Where does your loyalty lie?’
It was something Albedo also struggled with. If he had to pick a side, which side would he fight for? His origin of existence? Or the home he carved out for himself? Rhinedottir’s, Klee’s, Alice’s, the knights’… their faces popped up in his mind, Kaeya’s was the last.
‘’I don’t know.’ Kaeya answered truthfully, looking small and weak. ‘’I only know that I don’t want to harm a single Mondstadt citizen.’’
Diluc looked down for a moment before sighing.
‘’I expected as much.’ He said without an ounce of disappointment in his voice, just pure acknowledgement. ‘’It’s a bridge we’ll cross when we get to it.’
Someone knocked on the door at that moment, breaking the tension in the air. Adelinde walked into the room after Diluc called her in. She was followed by Mr. Hudson. He explained he needed to change the blood bag and quickly got to work.
‘’He seems to be doing better than expected already, he said once he rechecked Kaeya, asking him a few questions. Then he injected a painkiller into his system. ‘’Don’t hesitate to ask for me in case of any complications. Miss Adelinde told me she could handle the cleanup, so I’ll take my leave now.’
‘’Thank you for your meticulous services, Mr. Hudson.’ Diluc spoke sincerely. ‘’Adelinde will handle your payment.’
Adelinde nodded at that, then she added. ‘’Miss Rosaria came to drop this. She showed a golden coin, passing it to Diluc. ‘’She said it was a special delivery. She didn’t make any comments about Master Kaeya, but I doubt anything goes past her.’
It was to be expected. Rosaria had eyes and ears everywhere. She was also as distrustful of Albedo as Diluc. Not like it bothered Albedo, anyway.
‘’And your hawk has returned, Master Diluc.’’ She handed an envelope to Albedo. ‘’Master Jean wrote back.’’
‘’Thank you, Adelinde.’ Diluc said and quickly added. ‘’You can also retire for the night. I’ll handle everything from here.’’
She bowed in gratitude before escorting the doctor out of the room. Diluc passed the coin to Kaeya.
‘’Guess it’s her way of saying good luck,’’ Kaeya smiled. He tried to flip the coin with a weak hand, but it fell awkwardly onto his chest. Albedo took it and put it on the nightstand by the bed. ‘’I’ll treat her to some nice wine. I’m sure our generous bartender here would spare me a good old bottle?’’
‘’I had the guest room ready,’ Diluc ignored Kaeya, his eyes moved between them ‘but I guess it wasn’t needed.’ The tips of his ears warmed up. ‘’We have a lot to talk about,’ he said to Kaeya, his voice emotional with a promise of a better tomorrow. ‘’Make sure to get some rest. There’s hot water if you want to use the bathroom.’ He was about to leave when a sudden thought struck him. He pointed a warning finger at Kaeya. ‘’And no sneaking into the cellar.’ Then he left the two of them alone.
Albedo looked at Kaeya, taking in his beauty. No matter how bruised and battered he was, Kaeya was the most handsome man Albedo had laid his eyes upon. He covered Kaeya’s cheek with his palm, caressing it gently.
‘’How are you feeling?’ He asked as he eased the eyepatch off, letting Kaeya’s otherwise hidden eye breathe.
‘’Like a man reborn.’ Kaeya mused. He tried his best to move aside, leaving more space for Albedo to lay next to him comfortably. ‘’I wasn’t joking, you know?’’ He continued when Albedo snuggled close to his healthy side, his head on Kaeya’s chest. ‘’It was like I was sinking to the bottom of the ocean. Your voice was my tether. At first it felt like you were speaking underwater, I could make out your voice, but not what you were saying. But the more you talked, the clearer it became, like I was resurfacing. I followed your voice back to consciousness and heard some interesting stuff.’
Ah… Albedo was never going to hear the end of this.
He got up, ignoring the cute pout Kaeya was displaying.
‘’Hey!’’
‘’I forgot about Jean’s message.’ He said, breaking the seal on the envelope. Jean hadn’t used Varka’s official Grandmaster seal but rather her personal one, a clear sign that she regarded Kaeya’s situation as being private rather than a public ordeal. In the letter, she thanked him and said that she would personally visit as soon as possible. She mentioned Klee would be taken care of by Lisa and that Kaeya’s duties would be distributed among capable subordinates. He would be out of commission for a while, and it would be reported as a work-related accident. She also trusted Kaeya’s care to Albedo, asking him not to leave him alone until he was up on his feet. A group of soldiers was ordered to patrol the aforementioned area and were going to be on the lookout for any suspicious Abyss activity.
Albedo relayed the message to Kaeya in sum, delivering Jean’s best wishes to him.
Now there was nothing to do but return to Kaeya’s inviting arms. He contemplated persuading Kaeya to take a cloth bath in the ensuite bathroom, but the man looked on the brink of collapsing, and Albedo didn’t have the heart to force him.
Admitting his defeat, he lay beside Kaeya again, meeting the guy’s expectant eyes.
‘’I think you have something to tell me.’ Kaeya said, letting out a yawn and closing his eyes as the drug started to kick in. ‘’I want to hear it before blissful sleep takes over me. What has our handsome, talented alchemist got to say to a mere, pitiful, horseless Cavalry Knight such as myself?’ To say he was downplaying would be an understatement. Still, it amused Albedo. Even after everything, Kaeya didn’t skip any opportunity to flirt with him.
‘’I love you.’ He said without skipping a beat. It had been difficult enough to identify and regulate just what he was feeling. The flutter of his heart upon seeing Kaeya’s face, his fastened pulse, the knots in his stomach… the only logical conclusion was love, even if there wasn’t anything rational about it.
Two Khaenri’ahns stranded far from home, left on the porch of a stranger, both accepted by a second family that loved them truly and without any restraint, meeting and instantly feeling the click of the universe finally aligning… Albedo often wondered if the concept of fate was actually at play in the greater scheme of things.
As foreign as the concept was, Albedo was sure he loved him. Seeing him on the brink of death and seeing Diluc’s attempt at reconciliation finally gave Albedo the last push he needed.
He shook his head to clear his head. When he looked at Kaeya, he saw that sleep had already claimed him. His mouth was slightly agape, his eyes closed comfortably. At least he didn’t look in pain.
If he couldn’t hear Albedo… Well, he just had to say it again in the morning.