Archive of Our Own

Diluc prided himself on never being caught off guard. Years of vigilance and battle-hardened instincts made it difficult for anything to slip past him, even in the safety of his own home. He was always alert, always ready. Surprises were something rarely known to him.

At least, that's what he’d like to say.

Because here he was, standing in the open expanse of the Winery’s entrance, face to face with his ever-unpredictable brother.

That alone wasn’t unusual. What made the moment unpredictable was the small figure half-hidden and clinging to Kaeya’s leg, evidently trying to avoid eye contact with Diluc with the way her eyes darted around after being caught staring.

Klee.

Diluc immediately sensed where this was heading, and his expression shifted into one of thinly veiled irritation.

“Alright,” Kaeya began with a sheepish chuckle, nudging Klee out from behind him in order to stand properly beside him. “I may have made a slight lapse in judgement.”

Raising an eyebrow, Diluc urged him to continue. Would patience be his friend today? He couldn’t answer.

“Albedo asked me to supervise Klee for the day, and I happily agreed,” Kaeya started with, his smile subtly growing more apologetic. “But, I… might have forgotten that I have a certain interrogation to attend today. Unfortunately, in my haste and stark indulgence of after hour activities, the date completely slipped my mind.”

Diluc was aware of the interrogation he spoke of—in fact, it was centred around himself. He would go join Kaeya if he could, but alas, he had been sentenced to staying inside in order to “get better” whilst things were calming down after the last incident. And now… clearly, him being homebound was swiftly taken advantage of. That was far from out of character for Kaeya, and Diluc could almost laugh—If he wasn’t going to directly deal with the fallout of his brother's carelessness. 

He could only sigh. “In other words, you’re about to burden me with your forgotten responsibilities to save yourself the hassle. And you still insist that—”

“Hey now, looking after Klee isn’t a burden!” Kaeya interjected smoothly before Diluc could go off on a tangent, giving Klee’s hand a reassuring squeeze. “It’s only until I return this evening. Surely it’s not that challenging for you?”

If it weren't for his gloves, Diluc’s palms would surely have prominent nail indentations from how tightly he was clenching his fist. “Kaeya—”

“I wouldn’t have sprung this on you if anyone else we’re available. Trust me, I do have a heart.” Kaeya tapped a finger against his chest in mock sincerity. “And who knows? This might even be good for you. Bonding with more people rarely hurts anyone.”

Diluc narrowed his eyes at his brother’s expression. That smug bastard. If anyone knew how much trouble Diluc had with these sorts of activities, it was Kaeya. And of course the one he trusted the most would come back and betray this knowledge. Babysitting was far from his expertise, and Kaeya clearly found an opportunity and ran with it, all while relishing in his discomfort.

But with no other clear option presenting itself, Diluc exhaled sharply through gritted teeth. “Fine.”

“Perfect.” Kaeya's relief was clear as the smile on his face softened. He crouched down to Klee’s level, his voice gentle. “Alright, remember what I told you? Don’t cause any trouble for Master Diluc, okay?”

Klee nodded, still uncharacteristically quiet which—based on prior knowledge—wasn’t something she usually did. Eventually, she glanced up at Diluc, then back at Kaeya, uncertainty plain on her face.

“It’s fine, he won’t bite.” Kaeya reassured her, though Diluc’s exasperated sigh did little to ease the girl’s nerves.

The girl nodded in understanding. “Okay. Klee trusts Kaeya!” she declared, her mood shifting so quickly that it nearly gave Diluc whiplash.

Silently observing the exchange, Diluc felt a mix of frustration and resignation. This was not how he had planned to spend his day—but now, he was responsible for Mondstadt’s most energetic child. He could only hope that whatever happened next, he would manage to survive it with some semblance of his sanity intact. And maybe while he was slaving away, Kaeya could at least come back with some viable answers.

Diluc couldn’t believe his life had come to this.

“I owe you one, Diluc.” Kaeya called over his shoulder with a casual wave. “Bye now! Have fun!” He sauntered off, looking as if he didn’t have a single worry in the world.

Diluc, on the other hand, had several. 

He had no idea how to entertain children, much less someone as lively as Klee. Nothing he had on hand was remotely entertaining for a child. He wasn’t the fun, outgoing type—something even those closest to him could attest to. The idea of babysitting was so far out of his comfort zone that it felt almost laughable. He could barely manage his own life, let alone the care of a child.

Klee stood there, her small hands tightening around the straps of her backpack as she bounced slightly on her heels. Her eyes darted around curiously, taking in her surroundings with the wide-eyed wonder only a child could possess.

Diluc could tell that Klee was just as uncertain as he was. She’d effectively been dropped on the doorstep of a man she barely knew—one she no doubt found boring at that. It was understandable from her perspective; after all, how often did they interact? Hardly ever.

Diluc knew he should be doing something—offering to play a game, showing her around, or simply striking up a conversation—but he had no idea how to begin. This was far from a skill he was proficient in.

To any outsider, this scene would have looked painstakingly awkward. 

He briefly considered calling for Adelinde, who undoubtedly had more experience with children for various reasons. If he was lucky, maybe she had even interacted with Klee in the past, and could easily take over in his stead. She would have no trouble doing whatever Diluc asked of her.

But something stopped him. Maybe it was a desire to prove, especially to Kaeya, that he wasn’t completely hopeless at something as trivial as this. He wanted to show that he was capable, even in small ways, despite the myriad issues that haunted him.

…As strange as that was to admit.

“...Let’s stay outside for now,” Diluc managed to say, making up his mind as he closed the door behind him. It seemed like a safer bet to let Klee expend her energy outside so he could bring her indoors for something quieter later. 

Klee made a thoughtful noise, her eyes scanning the area as she pondered his suggestion.

“Oh, and please refrain from using your… abilities,” Diluc added, trying to strike a gentle tone. “At least around here.”

“Kaeya said the same thing,” Klee replied, looking up at Diluc with wide, curious eyes. “He said it would make you grumpy.” Then, after a moment, her expression brightened with a mischievous grin. “But that’s okay! Not using my bombs is kinda sad, but if it makes you even grumpier than you were before…”

She gave him a look that was both innocent and knowing, as if she had already made up her mind about him.

Diluc couldn’t help but sigh, conceding that she had a point.

“If anything, I’d rather avoid trouble. Again.” Diluc clarified, trying to keep his tone light. Would not be the first time his vineyard had been set on fire.

Klee nodded, then her attention quickly shifted as something else caught her eye—choosing to obviously not dwell on any rules.

“Oh! There are so many grapes here! Last time Klee was here, I saw them but didn’t get to pick any,” she recounted, her voice full of excitement. “The crystalflies distracted me…”

“You can pick some if you’d like. This is a vineyard, after all. We aren't exactly short.” Diluc offered, watching as Klee’s face lit up.

“Really? Yay!” She squealed, already dashing off toward the grapevines. Diluc followed closely behind, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

***

Kaeya had trouble deciding if he had been eagerly awaiting this day, or subconsciously dreading it. Perhaps that is the true reason he had forgotten all about it, despite being so adamant about being the one to oversee such an important task.

Was he going to receive any answers, or was he going to turn up empty once more? And if he did receive the information he was looking for… he doubted it would put him more at ease, considering what the Fatui were capable of.

But at least he'd have an idea of what was to come, right? Instead of going in completely blind and unprepared… confused and clueless…

He shook his head. Now he was dabbling too deep into his thoughts. A habit he couldn't afford to pick up, really. It only leads to more doubt.

Looking down the corridor of holding cells, Kaeya took a deep breath.

“Are you sure you'll be alright alone, Kaeya?” Jean had asked him moments earlier. “Usually it's more effective with another—”

“Trust me,” Kaeya interrupted her, “my persuasion works best alone. Don't worry.” It wasn't strong reassurance, but he tried nonetheless.

Jean nodded slowly, placing a hand atop his shoulder. “If you insist.” Luckily, she was slightly more lenient given the fact that it was for Diluc’s sake. “Of course, there will be backup just outside if you need it. Hopefully you get the information we're looking for.”

That’s what made it all the more nerve-wracking. The information they needed had to be precise. Diluc, under normal circumstances would’ve been better suited for interrogations like these—but in his current state, and considering the legality of his methods, that was… ill-advised, at best. 

The Cavalry Captain sighed, easing his features into their usual easy mask, boots carrying him toward the temporary holding area where their captives waited. 

In all honesty, he expected silence. Tight mouths, guarded eyes—loyalty so deep it put any other organisation to shame. He barely made it into view before that expectation shattered.

Chains rattled, “Oh, look who finally showed up.”

Kaeya stopped just short of the bars. 

The woman tilted her head, eyes glancing over him with open amusement. “It's… the pretty knight…” she drawled, clicking her tongue. “Still hovering over our target like before? Still pretending it’s just duty?” A smirk tugged at her lips. “Why don't you do us a little favour and let us go? And while you’re at it, maybe hand over your little redheaded… friend. Save yourself the trouble.” 

Kaeya’s smile didn’t quite reach his eyes. “You seem confident for someone behind bars.”

She scoffed, looking away with a theatrical sigh. “Confidence has nothing to do with it. Keeping him around is what’ll bring trouble to your doorstep.” Her gaze slid back to him. “At least, this way, we might all walk away breathing, rather than getting brutally murdered by Lord Do—”

“God, do you ever shut the fuck up?”

The man beside her grumbled, jerking against his chains. “I can't believe I got paired with you,” he snapped. “You’re practically gift wrapping everything for this loser. You do know why he’s here, right?” He scoffed. “What’s next—are you going to flirt your way through a sob story and hope he lets us walk free?”

Their personalities have truly shone today. Kaeya hummed softly, leaning back against the bars and crossing his arms loosely. “Well,” he started, "that's hardly fair. I haven't even asked a question yet.”

Neither of them acknowledged him. 

“Well, it doesn't matter if he knows or not,” the woman continued, irritation bleeding through her bravado. “It's not like he can do anything to prevent it. Once The Doctor sets his sights on something, he always sees it through.”

The man sucked in a sharp breath, cuffed hands dragging through his scalp. “That's it,” he muttered. “We're fucked.”

Kaeya’s smile faltered—just a fraction. Huh. Maybe he didn’t need to do much interrogating after all.

Wait. Kaeya paled a little bit. The Doctor?

He felt a shiver go down his spine, cold chills easily replacing where confidence had been moments prior. 

Kaeya straightened immediately. He truly did not know what to think.

Why—of course, was the first question that entered his mind. They may have had a bit of a bad encounter in the past, but surely that alone wasn’t worth ruining the nation's diplomatic relations with the Fatui.

He turned to face the two behind him, smoothly covering up his unease. “I don’t suppose you’d care to enlighten me on his motivations,” he said lightly. “Since you’re already here.”

They exchanged a glance.

Kaeya let out a quiet sigh. “Do you even know?”

Their silence spoke louder than words. It was really that simple after all, then. 

“I thought as much,” He tapped a finger on his arm, thoughtful. “With someone as meticulous as The Doctor, anyone entrusted with meaningful information wouldn’t be caught in the first place.”

The man let out a sharp laugh, quick enough to know that it was forced. “That’s not—” He stopped, the sound dying in his throat as the implication caught up with him. The colour drained from his face. “We’re disposable,” he said slowly, the realisation setting in. “He never had any faith in us…”

The woman scoffed, though it lacked its earlier bite. “Don’t be ridiculous.” She hesitated, eyes flicking aside as she continued. “Of course we don’t know his plans. We just… assumed he was sick of the mess this man’s been making.”

Her voice faltered, just slightly. 

“But… thinking about it,” she added, more quietly, “that doesn’t sound like him.” She frowned. “Something so small wouldn’t be worth his attention. What could one person possibly do to threaten the entire Fatui?”

In all fairness, Kaeya was pretty sure Diluc had the mindset to make that idea come to fruition—if given the chance.

Still… This was beyond troublesome. And that was only with the information of an identity.

Mondstadt's diplomatic pact was thanks to Dottore in the first place, why was he so eager to destroy that? It had to be of great importance if that was the case.

Kaeya winced. It all came back down to the Delusion, didn't it? That was the only plausible answer.

However it was such a… miniscule reason to cause such a fuss over—for a Harbinger specifically. They manufactured the damn things. 

So, whatever this was, it had to be personal.

***

Diluc found himself relaxing ever so slightly, taking in the fresh air as he wandered through the vineyard after Klee as she eagerly observed and picked grapes. The ever energetic girl seemed to have a way of lightening the atmosphere with her boundless enthusiasm, and for a moment, Diluc almost forgot his initial apprehensions about looking after her as well as any other unwanted, lingering thoughts.

“Klee, slow down a little,” he called out in a gentle enough tone as she darted from one vine to another. She was so full of energy it was hard to keep up. 

Klee paused, turning back to him with a bright smile. “Sorry, Mr. Diluc! It’s just that there are so many grapes! I have to see them all!”

Unfortunately for her, that may prove to be a challenge. “You sure have ambition." He said more to himself than anyone.

Klee ran back to him, her small hands clutching a bunch of grapes. “Look! These ones are so big!” she exclaimed, holding them up for him to see. As she did, something else seemed to catch her attention. She tilted her head slightly, her eyes narrowing as she focused on something. 

“Oh, your Vision!” Klee suddenly exclaimed, pointing at the glowing gem on his waist. “We match!”

Diluc glanced down at his Vision, then back at Klee. “It would appear so.”

Klee’s eyes sparked with curiosity as she bounced on her heels again. “Do you make bombs too? Since we have the same Vision?”

Diluc blinked, a bit taken aback by the question. “Ah, well… not exactly. I use my Vision differently.”

Klee’s excitement didn’t waver. “How? Can you show me?” she asked, her voice filled with eager anticipation. It was clear that her understanding of her vision was more centred around her playful and “explosive” personality.

A small smile tugged at Diluc’s lips as he considered the request. He wasn’t one to show off, but perhaps a single demonstration would be a good way to keep her entertained, and maybe even teach her something new.

“I can show you a few tricks.”

Klee’s eyes widened, her grin spreading from ear to ear. “Yes please!” she practically squealed, clapping her hands together in excitement.

Diluc gestured for Klee to follow him to an open area, away from the flammable vines. He may not have been good at playing games or making small talk, but if there was one thing he could do well, it was wielding his Vision.

He knelt down to Klee’s level, holding out his hand with a gentle gesture. She grasped it without question, her small fingers wrapping around his larger ones. Slowly, he began to heat up his palm, the red of his glove glowing with a soft, warm orange light.

“It’s warm,” Klee observed.

“It’s a useful skill to have for regulating your body temperature.” Diluc explained. “You can keep yourself warm in the winter, for example.” He was well accustomed to doing things like this for himself when he was younger. And once Kaeya found out he could do it, Diluc had often found himself becoming a personal heater for his brother. It had been annoying at the time, but thinking back on it now, all he wished was for those simpler times to return—especially now that they were free from their father's oppressive presence.

He just had to overcome the lingering effects of the Delusion and any trouble that followed.

Klee nodded thoughtfully as she withdrew her hand. Diluc then flicked his wrist, and a small flame appeared in his palm, casting a warm, gentle glow.

“This can be useful for light, if you don’t have a lantern in a dire situation,” he explained, holding his hand steady so Klee could see.

Klee’s eyes widened as she watched the flame’s delicate dance. The flickering light seemed to captivate her.

“It’s pretty, isn’t it?” Diluc said, noting her awe. He agreed with her unspoken sentiment; fire, when not wielded for destruction, had an undeniable beauty.

The flame in his hand began to shift, transforming into a small bird—reminiscent of his Phoenix. It fluttered briefly before dissolving into a scatter of tiny, glowing embers.

“Wow! It’s like magic!” Klee exclaimed, bouncing up and down in excitement.

“They’re skills you might be able to achieve with practice,” Diluc chuckled lightly. “All are fairly simple, so don’t worry too much about it. Just make sure you have ample control over the flame, or else it can turn dangerous.” The child made bombs, so he was certain she understood what that “danger” entailed.

Diluc’s words hung in the air as Klee’s face lit up with a bright smile. “I’ll practise really hard then!” she declared, her enthusiasm bubbling over. “Then I can show my mum and she'll be super duper impressed!”

She then darted off, zipping around the vineyard, her small form darting between the grapevines with unrestrained excitement, taking the chance to also chase down lingering crystalflies as she passed them. Diluc watched her in amusement. He never really thought someone like Klee could be entertained without boundless destruction to the local wildlife. 

A few occasional phrases like "I'm going to be the best Pyro user ever!” were thrown around as she shouted across the field, her laughter ringing out like music. 

Diluc’s gaze could only soften, a small smile forming despite himself. He couldn’t help but feel a bit of warmth in his chest, seeing her so happy and full of dreams.

For a moment, it reminded him of his own childhood. The time before Kaeya came into his life, before their father’s harshness took its toll. He had been full of that same ambition, yet to be weighed down by the responsibilities and burdens that now defined his existence. 

It brought a pang of sadness, his smile turning slightly sombre. Had their circumstances been different, he might have shared moments like these with Kaeya. He wishes he could have been more present, more engaged, happier, enthusiastic during those fleeting moments of their childhood.

Diluc couldn’t help but wonder how different his life might have been if he hadn’t been moulded by that fear—if he had been allowed to be a child, to play and laugh without the constant shadow of his father looming over him. Would he have been a better brother to Kaeya, sharing in the same unrestrained joy he saw now in Klee?

Diluc’s gaze remained distant as he watched Klee’s playful antics, pulled into the depths of his own thoughts. The change in his demeanour must have been increasingly obvious, as Klee ended up approaching him after a while, her small hand reaching out to gently grasp his own. 

“Mr. Diluc,” Klee said softly, “It’s okay to feel sad sometimes. You don’t always have to be super strong,” her voice carried an unexpected depth of empathy. 

Diluc blinked slowly, coming back to the present moment. It felt improper having Klee notice his issues, but she didn’t seem particularly bothered. This wasn’t something she had to concern herself with. So, he put out a smile for her, a flicker of gratitude evident in his eyes.

“Thanks Klee,” he managed, his voice strained but sincere. “I was just reminded of some old memories.” He explained briefly, not wanting to delve too deeply. 

Klee’s expression turned thoughtful as she listened. “Klee sometimes gets sad when thinking about mum going away all the time, so I know how you feel, I think,” she said, her voice tinged with a rare gravity for her age. “But being sad all the time isn’t good, so try thinking about happier things!”

Diluc’s heart lightened at her words. They were simple words, words anyone could have told him, but hearing it from someone like Klee felt different. “You’re right. I'll hold your advice close to my heart,” he said, his voice steadier now. 

Klee beamed up at him, her grin radiant and full of childlike confidence. “Good! Klee learnt from the bestest of the best, after all.” She said proudly, her earlier excitement returning in full force for just a moment. 

Then, it was quickly replaced by a yawn. It seemed that she did not have endless energy after all.

“How about we go inside and relax for a little while?” Diluc suggested as he took in Klee’s rapid fatigue. She didn’t have much energy to argue against him so she silently followed Diluc back inside of the Winery.

Upon opening the doors, they were greeted with the warm interior, much different from the cool breeze that existed outside. 

Diluc guided Klee to a comfortable looking couch and set her down on it, pulling over a nearby blanket to provide her with. He then walked over to a nearby bookshelf and picked off a particular picture book he had been entranced with as a child. It was well-worn and the cover featured illustrations of adventure. 

Any time Diluc was left to his own devices as a child, he spent it reading, and he was often drawn back to this book. His comfort book, perhaps. The story inside wasn’t anything intricate or amazing—it was just a simple children's book. He and Kaeya often read it together, so he supposed it reminded him of those times, too.

Shaking his head fondly, Diluc moved back to sit down next to Klee, beginning to read it to her.

It only took half the book for Klee to grow tired and fall asleep, leaning comfortably against Diluc as she did so. He didn’t mind, really. He was tired himself, so maybe he was just too exhausted to care. 

He put the book down and eventually fell asleep right alongside her.

***

By the end of the day, there were no loose ends left worth pulling. With nothing more of value to give—the Fatui were taken away to be dealt with later. All in all, permanently out of Kaeya’s sight and hands.

Kaeya, at first, was apprehensive on relaying his findings to Jean—considering she hadn't fully been in on the know regarding Diluc's issues—but he figured that she would in time. So he recounted what he had figured out, pertaining to The Doctor's unclear interest, and she was rather perplexed in response. As would anyone, really.

They'd figure it out eventually. Kaeya would tell her, or maybe Diluc himself could, in order to have a clearer picture.

He sighed. For now, it was the end of the day and it was about time to take Klee back to Albedo, so he was on his way back to the Winery.

Kaeya wondered how Diluc managed to handle Klee. She was a little ball of energy, which severely contrasted with Diluc’s personality. He almost felt sorry for his brother, suddenly dumping such a task onto him. 

But he was sure Diluc was fine. He always managed to work himself around tough situations, albeit barely. In any case, it wouldn't kill the man. They weren’t doing anything dangerous. And that's all that mattered in the grand scheme of things.

After a while, Kaeya eventually arrived—and upon a brief search, the pair of Pyro users weren’t outside so, naturally, only the opposite must have been the case.

He let himself in the Winery, because he can do that, and took note of the quiet atmosphere. Not unusual, but with Klee around…

“Ah, Master Kaeya,” A familiar voice sounded through the halls, “Good to see you again.”

“Adelinde,” Kaeya smiled, happy to see her. “Guess I don’t need to explain why I’m here. Where are they hiding?” He asked casually. 

“Follow me,” She offered, moving to lead him over to where Diluc and Klee were situated.

Kaeya paused to take in the scene.

Diluc and Klee were sprawled together on the couch fast asleep with a book knocked to the floor.

Crouching beside the couch, Kaeya picked up the book and immediately recognised the cover. He turned it over once in his hands, as if double checking, and huffed a quiet laugh. Predictable. He glanced back to the couch, his mouth twitching in faint amusement.

“Looks like they had a pretty eventful day,” Kaeya commented, talking to no one in particular as he placed the book down on the side table. “Guess I was worried for nothing. Although… I can’t help but feel a little jealous,”

Adelinde chuckled from behind him, giving Kaeya a gentle pat on the shoulder. “I’m sure another opportunity like this will arise.” She reassured him. 

Kaeya shrugged, trying to show off his nonchalance. “It’s alright. Time to wake them up, anyway,” he said as he moved behind the couch and directly behind Diluc. 

He took the opportunity to pull at his cheek, which woke Diluc up with little delay. It was obvious he was still an incredibly light sleeper. Though, this time, he didn’t look as disturbed; just confused.

“Huh?” Diluc mumbled until he saw Kaeya staring right down at him. “Oh,”

“Good evening, I see you have been busy,” Kaeya chuckled.

“Very.” Diluc responded simply, moving to sit up but stopped abruptly, recognising the subtle weight on him. “Right,” Klee was still fast asleep.

Kaeya walked around the couch to Klee’s side, gently picking her up off Diluc and settling her in his arms. She began to stir awake after that.

She yawned and then a look of realisation happened upon her face. “Kaeya! You’re back!”

“That’s right, I’m here to steal you back. I trust you had fun?” Kaeya asked her, hoping to get her input on how Diluc had been towards her.

“Lots of fun! We played outside for a while, and Mr. Diluc even showed me all these cool tricks with his fire!” She explained enthusiastically.

“Really? Front row seats to Master Diluc’s masterful display of Pyro? How lucky are you?”

Klee nodded happily, agreeing with Kaeya.

“I may as well come along with you,” Diluc said suddenly, “I have a shift at Angel’s Share tonight.” He stood up from the couch, already moving around to gather a few of his things.

Kaeya hummed in acknowledgment as he planted Klee on the floor. “Do you want to wait at the entrance for a moment? We’ll be right with you.”

“Okay!” And she skipped off.

Before Kaeya could even ask, Diluc spoke in place of him. “Yes, I'm feeling well enough to go. Not that I've been unwell at all.” He sighed.

Kaeya shook his head fondly. “You know me. Just have to make sure.”

It was quiet for a moment.

“How did the interrogation go?” Diluc asked, as expected.

Kaeya weighed his words  “Largely unhelpful, those two. Managed to scrape a little more than nothing from them,” he responded truthfully. “All I got was that they worked for The Doctor, and I'm sure you can put two and two together.”

Diluc stilled. 

“...The Doctor,” he repeated, his voice taking on a tone as if he almost didn't believe what he had just heard.

They knew better than that, though.

“Unfortunately,” Kaeya exhaled, not softening his words. “Which means this is quickly becoming Mondstadt’s business as well.” 

“It doesn't need to be.” Diluc responded with, awfully quick on his take. Which, typical. Always willing to put himself in the line of fire to protect the city… It irritated Kaeya to no end.

“You can't seriously think you'll be able to handle this on your own,” Kaeya said, harsher than intended. “It won't exactly be small news if he manages to get his way. The Knights need to have a semblance of understanding as to what's going on. I barely managed to keep Jean in the dark today—as much as it pained me—because we simply don't have the entire picture yet, apart from speculations that no one else but us know about.” He scoffed. “You'll have to come clean to her eventually.”

“I can’t—”

Dismissal.

“Why?” Kaeya cut in, the question slipping out before he could stop it. “Are you embarrassed? Afraid to admit that you don't have control for once? That you might look weak?” He almost wanted to laugh.

Diluc cast him a deadly glare.

Kaeya didn't back down.

“Is accepting help still that unbearable to you?” He pressed. “After everything I've done—for your sake, specifically— you'd think you'd have learned how to take it.” His voice dipped, losing its edge. “Or is this the part you've been waiting for, deciding it's easier to do everything alone?”

There was a short pause, letting the implication hang. 

“I know I'm a special case,” Kaeya continued, “but I'm not the only one who cares. And I'm done watching you convince yourself that disappearing is the same as protecting people.”

Diluc’s expression hardened as he stepped closer, the distance between them narrowed enough for Kaeya to feel it. 

“Don't,” Diluc said, voice restrained as if he were holding a part of himself back. “Don't turn this into something it isn't.”

Kaeya crossed his arms in place, intent on listening.

“You of all people should know how dangerous this is,” Diluc continued, eyes shifting away briefly—clearly trying to calm himself—then back again, “pride, control, that has nothing to do with it. Help… I may need it. I do need it. But what good is it if all it does is put more lives in danger?”

He clenched his fists, forcing them still. “I'm already a liability,” Diluc said, and there was something almost… resigned in it. “And when Dottore comes for me himself, when he stops hiding behind pathetic intermediaries—what do you think happens to everyone standing too close?”

He held Kaeya’s gaze.

“Do you honestly think he'll hesitate?”

Kaeya opened his mouth to retort—

“Boys.”

Adelinde's voice cut in, tone stern and unmistakingly displeased. “You're not children anymore. You know better than to argue like this in front of a guest.” She glanced toward the door. “Especially one you've scared off by being so loud.”

Kaeya's breath hitched. “Klee…” The guilt was settling in immediately. 

He was so caught up in the moment he completely forgot she was waiting nearby. 

She must have run off outside at the unpleasant tone of their conversation.

They'll need to put their… disagreement on hold. 

“We'll deal with this later,” he said to Diluc, already turning towards the door. “Come on.”

Diluc didn't argue. He followed quietly, the cool air of the evening hitting them both once they were outside.

“Klee?” Kaeya called, keeping his voice light in order to not sound anything but concerned.

There was no answer.

She can't have gone far since she knew better to not wander off without supervision, even if she was upset. That thought was enough to comfort Kaeya the slightest amount.

He gave a wordless look to Diluc, and his brother nodded. They split up to cover more ground, Diluc heading towards the gate and Kaeya keeping within the courtyard.

He kept his eyes trained towards the growing shadows as the sun lowered ever so slightly with each passing minute.

Kaeya breathed a sigh. He shouldn’t have started that argument, especially not with Klee nearby. He'd blame it on having a long day, but… then he'd just be grasping at excuses. Truthfully, he was just worried. Ah, but, when wasn't he?

A faint scuff of boots against stone caught his attention.

There she was, sitting against the stone wall hiding behind a barrel.

“Klee,” he said in relief.

The poor girl sat against the low wall with her knees drawn towards her chest, her hat off and clenched in her tiny little hands. She looked up at the sound of Kaeya’s voice. 

“Klee's not in trouble, right?” she asked quickly.

“No,” he said just as fast. “Of course not. We were just being… loud. As per usual. I don't blame you for wanting to get away from it.”

Diluc eventually joined them once he noticed Klee was found, stopping just a few steps away and remaining quiet.

“I didn't understand much, but you sounded mad.” Klee mumbled.

Kaeya glanced back at Diluc, just briefly, then smiled. “Perhaps,” he admitted gently. “But definitely not because of you.” He offered a hand to help her up.

Diluc nodded. “You didn't do anything wrong.”

Klee hesitated, fingers twisting in the brim of her hat. After a moment of silently gauging the way neither of them looked angry at her, she reached out and took Kaeya’s hand, letting him help her to her feet.

Kaeya squeezed her hand lightly. “Let's get you back to Albedo, okay?”

She nodded, and the three of them hastily began their walk back to the city.

The path felt… longer than it should have.

Kaeya kept his pace slow, matching Klee’s as they walked hand in hand. Diluc was walking a step ahead, not close but not far enough to feel like his presence was missing.

The very firm words they shared earlier did not follow them outside, however the effect of them did. 

And of course, Klee being the surprisingly observant girl she is, noticed it all too well.

She glanced between the two, eyes narrowing slightly in thought. “...You’re still mad,” she said.

Kaeya opened his mouth to respond until he realised he didn't know what to say.

Klee hummed thoughtfully before gasping, like a revelation had struck. She let go of Kaeya’s hand and ran to stop in front of both of them.

“That's it,” she declared. “I'm making an… inter… interva—”

“Intervention?” Diluc supplied, finally speaking after all his time in silence.

“That's it! Yes!” Klee beamed. “All you need to do is give each other a biiig hug and all your problems will go away!”

Kaeya blinked, stopping just beside Diluc.

“I don't think—”

“No excuses!” Klee cut in, planting her hands on her hips. “Me and Albedo do it all the time and it works well! Which means it will work for you two too!” 

Neither of them moved.

Klee's frown deepened. "If you don't do it right now, Klee will run away.” She said in full seriousness.

Kaeya sighed.

It wasn't exactly a life ending threat, but knowing Klee, she'd make it incredibly difficult for both him and Diluc to get her back from wherever she decides to run to.

So, in short—it was effective.

He glanced sideways at Diluc, to see his reaction, and it was just about expected. Immediately tense, rigid, and quiet. Like saying anything at all would scare him off.

A familiar smile tugged at Kaeya’s lips.

“Come on, Diluc,” he said, just loud enough for him to hear. “We can't disappoint the little lady, can we?”

He opened his arms just a smidge, hoping to seem… casual. Inviting.

Klee nodded vigorously. “It's very important!”

Kaeya held his breath.

It wasn't like they hadn't hugged each other at all. It was usually just under more… emotional, comforting circumstances. Definitely not right after Kaeya had gone for the throat and hit something sensitive. 

And Diluc, with all that nerve on him, rolled his eyes as he stepped closer, gingerly slinging his arm around Kaeya’s shoulder in the poorest excuse for a side hug imaginable, already half-way retreating before it even started. 

Kaeya stared at him. Usually he would just let it be, but he genuinely felt offended. Was this his fault? Yes. But he could at least humour the request… God knows how much Kaeya secretly yearned for something like that.

Before he could comment on it in his usual fashion, Klee spoke in his place.

“What was that?” She squinted at them. “That was so bad it hurt to look at.”

Kaeya huffed. “Careful, you'll wound his pride.”

He glanced at Diluc, anticipating annoyance—but he just stood there, gaze fixed over Kaeya’s shoulder, like something was weighing on his mind.

“Though,” Kaeya added, deciding to prod a little more to get some reaction, ”she has a point. That's really all I get?”

Klee nodded decisively. “You have to do it properly!” 

Diluc huffed, as if the entire ordeal was a monumental waste of time to him.

But before Kaeya could offer another passing comment about his brother's apparent laziness, Diluc stepped forward and grabbed him—hard.

His arms wrapped around Kaeya's back with far more force than necessary, hauling him in like he was trying to prove that he was, in fact, capable.

Hm. Yes. Very capable. 

Quite capable of squeezing the life out of him, in fact.

This was payback, wasn't it?

“Diluc—are you trying to suffocate—”

“...I won't leave again.” He interrupted in a soft tone—largely contrasting the iron grip currently holding him in place.

But it stopped Kaeya in his tracks all the same—every complaint he had queued up there died on his tongue, the intense pressure on his ribs suddenly irrelevant.

For a moment, all he could do was stand there.

“Oh,” he breathed, the tension steadily draining out of him. “...That's good.”

His arms came up then, returning the hug properly. Something about it felt—right to him. This was where he was supposed to be, and where things needed to stay.

Nothing would ruin that for him.

He rested his chin atop Diluc’s shoulder, giving his back a gentle tap. “Because I was starting to think you might,” he added quietly.  “Glad to be proven wrong, though.”

It was insane to think that a mere phrase was all that he needed to hear in order to get rid of a few worries in his head.

Diluc’s hold loosened as he pulled back, promptly rolling his eyes.

Kaeya smirked.

“Yes!” Klee beamed, “Now that was a good hug.”

Kaeya laughed, “You hear that? Glowing reviews. You've really outdone yourself, brother.” He stretched lightly. “Though I'd deduct points for the bruises.”

“I was being gentle.” Diluc replied with a shrug. That liar. He knew exactly what he'd been doing.

“You have a very warped perception of gentle—”

“If you two keep talking like that, we're going to be late!” Klee giggled, grabbing both their hands and tugging them along. “Come on, come on!”

…They'd have to talk about it later.