Chapter Text
Diluc’s brother is hiding something.
Reconciliation is..hard. If what they’ve got going on can even be classified as reconciliation.
He finds himself dancing around Kaeya now- awkwardly. It's unlike him, yes, but sometimes he's just blatantly unsure of how to act around him. Hesitation with what he says- how he says it- is something that comes up a lot too.
Kaeya puts this front on like he's amused by it- as if he doesn't find their interactions since they started talking things through at least a little bit awkward. Diluc hates him for it, hates that he pretends so well.
That isn't the point though- none of this is. The point is that Kaeya is hiding something.
At first, he hadn't been sure and he had chalked the issue up to being overly suspicious of him. He’s been hard on himself over the last few weeks any time the annoying little voice in the back of his head nagged at him. It was so sure of itself, leading him to seeking out Jean who had little to say to him these days anyway.
This, of course, did not go well. What with his awkward fumbling over words and Jean’s very cool way at brushing off his concern as just him being paranoid. (“I won’t tell him you came to me,” She’d eyed him uncertainly over a pile of paperwork. “Did you ever think it might be the fact that his brother’s talking to him again?”) He ended up leaving her office with his tail between his legs.
And for the rest of the day, he feels silly. Of course Kaeya’s a little happier lately. They’re family again and he’ll be damned if he has to see his brother ugly cry- all snot and tears and incoherent sentences through sobs- about how much Diluc hates him again. He will not be suspicious of him. He can’t be.
So, he let it go.
Until, like, right now.
The tavern is closed. After a long night of constant voices, a constant flow of patrons streaming in and out of the building, Diluc finally has peace and quiet. Well, save for Kaeya and his incessant chattering. Diluc swears he’s talking just to talk.
He’s brighter- as he always is these days, almost glowing, really as he goes on and on. And he should be grateful honestly. He hadn’t seen his brother much in the last week as the younger had been far too busy with whatever missions he’s been on. All apparently pertaining to the business trip he’ll be going on in a few weeks to Snezhnaya. He would not admit how quiet it’s been around the tavern at closing without the younger talking him to death, but the absolute nonsense Kaeya’s spewing right now is welcome.
However, the business trip..
It’s almost suspicious how much he’s mentioned it and something itches at Diluc. It isn’t for a few weeks, but Kaeya’s mentioned it at least four times in the last hour.
It’s almost like he’s excited and that’s.. weird.
After mentioning it for the fifth time that night, (whining about how cold it’ll be when Diluc knows for a fact he doesn’t even have a hard time in the cold) Diluc speaks up, effectively cutting him off, “What’s it for?”
Kaeya narrows his eyes at him and Diluc knows he’s debating saying something about the interruption. “What is what for?”
“The trip. Surely, the Acting Grand Master’s given you an objective. It’s not like Snezhnaya’s a vacation spot.”
Kaeya’s been so into mentioning this trip to him that he was sure the whole point of it would come easy. But, he hesitates. There’s a pause and Diluc’s hand drying a glass pauses too.
“It’s,” He starts, “She thinks it’d be good to continue to strengthen our relationship with them.”
Diluc’s own eyes narrow as if he doesn’t believe him, which Kaeya scoffs at and continues, “The Snezhnayan diplomat that was here a few days ago?” Which, yes he remembers that. He’d been busy back at the winery, and wasn’t even able to get a look at whichever unpleasant old man Kaeya had the displeasure of meeting.
“I was tasked with being sure he didn’t cause any trouble. Under the guise of being a sort of.. guide you could say.”
Diluc hums in acknowledgement, placing the clean glass upside down and plucking the dirty one from in front of Kaeya. “And? Did you-” His question dies on his tongue as he finds himself doing a double take at the side of Kaeya’s neck.
It goes unnoticed by Kaeya who prattles on, “And, we got along. It’s not like it was his first time here, but we had a much more pleasant encounter. So I’ve been invited to Snezhnaya in return,” Diluc isn’t really listening much as he goes on once again.
There’s a mark on Kaeya’s neck that Diluc narrows his eyes at, eyebrows furrowing together. It’s mostly obscured by Kaeya’s collar, but it’s there and now that he’s seen it, the older is uninterested in whatever he’s saying.
What is that? It kind of looks like..
“Is that a hickey?” The question is out of Diluc’s mouth before he can stop himself from prying. What Kaeya did- who he did on his own time is none of Diluc’s concern really. But, he can’t help himself. The one attribute they had in common ever since they were kids rears its head once again.
Diluc is nosey, though he tries unbelievably hard to let on that he isn’t. He most definitely is and of course, so is Kaeya.
The question seems to shake Kaeya who without hesitation, blurts, “No!” And then, with a clearing of his throat, much smoother, “Of course not. Simply burned myself while cooking.”
“You put the pan up to your neck?”
“Well, I wouldn’t expect you to know anything about cooking for yourself, Master Diluc.”
Diluc glares at him and bites his tongue, deciding to ignore that while thinking about just how to get who Kaeya was seeing out of him. Because he is seeing someone. That’s what it’s been this whole time. How bright he’s been, just a little more pep in his step, much more open. It probably does help that they aren’t at each other’s throats much anymore, but ultimately.. Kaeya has someone and Diluc wonders for how long.
The silence between them lingers for a moment while Diluc tries to think of a way to get Kaeya to tell him before the younger man starts changing the subject or distracting him to get his mind elsewhere.
“So, you’re dating someone?” He presses, trying to sound as unbothered and nonchalant as possible. His eyes were no longer on Kaeya, focused on drying the last glass of the evening.
Kaeya seems interested in picking at his nails all of a sudden and Diluc knows its some kind of nervous tick. He hums, as if thinking, and Diluc doesn’t rush him. In the end, he just snorts, “No,” And raises an eyebrow, “I told you I burned myself.”
So, he’s maintaining his story. Which– frustrates Diluc to no end. Why can’t he just tell him? It’s not as though he truly thinks Diluc believes him. Why does he keep lying? He places the glass down and slings the towel he was using over his shoulder, opening his mouth to further question him when Kaeya beats him to it, “But, even if it was a hickey, that doesn’t mean anything. So the answer is still no.”
For a moment, they’re staring at each other blankly. Diluc does not believe him still and he knows that.
Kaeya sighs, long and drawn out– almost dramatic, laying his head on the bar. Diluc thinks its a way to avoid eye contact. “Would be nice if I was though. I haven’t been in a real relationship since Albedo.”
Diluc blanks, expression involuntarily going from annoyed and frustrated to one of utter confusion. Surely, Kaeya’s messing with him.
“The Cheif Alchemist?” He reiterates slowly. Kaeya only hums in acknowledgement. “When were you in a relationship with Albedo? What the hell?”
Kaeya picks his head up from the bar, leaning it on his hand. There’s a smirk back on his lips that would make Diluc roll his eyes if he wasn’t so damn curious, and maybe just a little upset he wasn’t told while it was happening.
“Last year. We started at the beginning of January and broke up.. hm,” He squints, like he’s trying to remember, “End of December.”
“That’s.. basically a year, Kaeya.” Diluc has all but forgotten about the hickey now, “That’s kind of a long time.”
Something he can’t recognize flashes on Kaeya’s face, but its gone just as quickly and brushed off with a, “Didn’t feel like it.”
“No one told me.”
“Why would they have? As far as they knew, you hated me.”
There’s a pause and Diluc can’t help but mumble, “I never hated you.” For what feels like the hundredth time since they’ve reconciled.
“I know.” Kaeya stands from his seat at the bar and stretches, “It’s okay though. Wasn’t even that serious.”
Something in Diluc tells him that it was in fact deeply serious, but he refrains from saying it. He remembers not seeing Kaeya for weeks near the end of December. When he hadn’t come by the tavern for New Years Eve, Diluc had thought it was strange but he hadn’t questioned it. Kaeya turning up weeks into January, looking thinner and forcing that stupid facade even more than usual felt like warning bells. And then he’d been sharper with Diluc, starting actual arguments with more venom in his tone than usual, and disappearing for another week after to avoid him.
His behavior had actually worried Diluc so much that it made him reach out.
So, it did seem like it was that serious. His little brother had been in a serious relationship– maybe his first ever, went through a bad breakup and Diluc didn’t even know.
He wonders briefly if Kaeya feels a wave of regret as strong as the one coming over him at the fact that he’d missed something big like that in his life. He supposes not though. Kaeya didn’t leave. He did.
Diluc purses his lips for a moment, hesitating. “You know you could tell me though, right? You can tell me anything,” He pauses as Kaeya winces slightly, Diluc’s nose scrunching up as he regrets his wording. He recalls those words coming from himself minutes before he scarred Kaeya, “I mean, you- if you were dating someone, you could tell me. I want to be a part of your life.”
Kaeya seems to soften and there’s a smile that’s genuine that comes to his lips, “I know,” He nods, “I want to be a part of yours too.”
And then it feels all too sentimental and vulnerable in there and Diluc coughs, looking away. Kaeya can only laugh and whether it’s out of awkwardness or joy, Diluc can’t tell. “Don’t worry. I won’t tell anyone you actually want to be a good brother and check someone out before I commit. Won’t tell a soul.”
Diluc rolls his eyes and begins finishing wiping down the bar, “Guess Rosaria doesn’t count as someone with a soul-”
“That’s not fair. I don’t want to tell her everything; it just happens!”
“-And I’m not checking anyone out. I’m warning them of how aggravating you are.”
Kaeya levels him with a look that says he doesn’t believe him one bit, but his smile is real, “Whatever you say.”
—-
The door to Kaeya’s office creaks open without much resistance. There is little Diluc hates more than having to go to the Knights’ headquarters, but he has to today. He’s grateful he runs into no one- no one but Albedo anyhow, who Diluc’s eyes involuntarily narrow at for a few seconds.
Albedo does not return the sentiment- obviously- but blinks at him with a curt nod that says he might know that Diluc knows about him and Kaeya and whatever transpired between them.
Or, Diluc is making everything about himself again.
He steps into the office and wrinkles his nose at the fact that Kaeya isn’t here. They’re supposed to go for lunch at Good Hunter. Diluc said it was because he had important matters to discuss with him, but he hates that Kaeya can tell he just doesn’t want to ask to get lunch just for the sake of hanging out with him.
It’s noon, so Kaeya should be finishing up his morning patrols and making his way back.
Diluc hasn't truly looked around Kaeya’s office before, so that's what he does.
Taking a look around the room, it kind of looks like Kaeya lives here. Ridiculous, because Diluc knows he doesn’t. But he thinks back to the few times he was up on a rooftop in the dead of night- doing absolutely nothing in particular, mind you- and distinctly remembers the light in this room being on. On one occasion, he and Kaeya locked eyes from where he was looking out of the window. He remembers sucking his teeth at the smug look on the younger’s face and disappearing into the night.
The walls of the room are covered with things. Clutter in a very organized way, Diluc guesses. There are a few maps, with patrol routes- pins of different colors dictating who needs to be where. (He guesses they’re color coordinated based off teams? Ranks?)
A shelf behind the desk to the left of the window houses a few trinkets, looking to be from various nations. A picture frame sits propped up as well, a slightly grainy (blurry?) photo of Kaeya and that one loud pirate captain that breezed through Angel Share a few times. They look to have switched eyepatches in the picture, clearly drunk. The pirate holds a large glass of ale and Kaeya is mid laugh- their arms linked.
Since when does he even know her? He can’t imagine Kaeya knowing someone that well. To take his eye patch off and switch with someone. Even if it’s a for a joke. Even if it’s only for a moment. Diluc doesn’t dwell on it.
Kaeya’s desk is where the real mess is, but Diluc’s eyes catch a bold color slung over the back of his chair. Circling the desk, he runs his fingers along the fabric of a bright red scarf. It’s soft and well made and upon flipping the end of it over, he finds a silver symbol made of a diamond with a narwhal in the middle. A red gem with silver around it dangles from the edge of the fabric.
Huh.
His eyes flit over the paperwork scattered on his desk. It’s a mess that he knows Kaeya will swear up and down is functional. That he knows where everything is and that’s all that matters.
The mess is bordered by more trinkets and picture frames. One of Kaeya and the accident prone boy that seems to follow him around, another of him and the spark knight, him and Jean, and then another of Kaeya and a blonde man that Diluc doesn’t know in what looks like a Sumeru City tavern.
It gives him a funny feeling in the pit of his stomach. Like he’s missing out. He didn’t know Kaeya knew so many people. Didn’t know he knew them to the extent of having them immortalized in pictures on his desk that he looks at every day.
He’s about to pull his eyes from the pictures when one particular gold frame catches his eye. It’s smaller than the rest and closer to the edge of the desk, but Diluc hasn’t seen the picture in years. The worn edges can be seen even in the picture frame but the image is still in tact. He and Kaeya are young- maybe a year after Kaeya came to the winery.
Their father stands between grape vines, holding Kaeya up on his right shoulder. Ever the crybaby, Kaeya looks like he’s two seconds from bursting into tears from being held up so high, clutching onto Crepus’ ponytail even though the man is holding onto him to keep him from toppling over. His other arm is flexing his bicep and hanging off it like a monkey is Diluc. He would say he hardly recognizes this version of himself, the child version that is, untouched and innocent. Unaware of anything in the world that could truly hurt him. His hair is unruly and wild, a bandaid on his cheek and a tooth missing from his smile.
Briefly, he wonders where Kaeya found this. How long he’s had it. He turns his gaze from it fairly quick though before he starts to feel weird.
There are scrolls- a few with broken yellow seals that look to be from Liyue, two or so with purple marks that come from Inazuma. There are a few more from different regions and nations, but the pile of small envelopes with red seals are what gives him pause. It’s Snezhnayan- the symbol on the seal.
It wouldn’t be much to look at if there weren’t so many of them. They seem to be the only neat thing on the desk, the only thing truly organized into a small corner in the corner of the bigger mess.
Was Kaeya really that involved with their relations to Snezhnaya?
It’d been a few months since he’d gone on that ‘business trip’. The one he came back from smiling and not picking petty fights with Diluc for a month. Since then, they’ve had two visits from a Sneznayan diplomat and each time, its been conveniently while Diluc is away tending to his own matters.
He blinks at the letters while circling back to the front of the desk, eyes flickering between the pile and the scarf slung over the back of his chair that has the same shade of red as the seals on the letters. Diluc’s eyes narrow. The mark on Kaeya’s neck months ago that looked a few days old, the Snezhnayan diplomat that had just left Mondstadt a few days prior, the excitement over his ‘business trip’, the scarf he has seemed to acquire in the middle of Summer and the seemingly endless piles of letters from Snezhnaya.
So, Kaeya’s lover is Snezhnayan.
He may be jumping to conclusions, but something tells him he isn’t.
There’s no more time to think about it though. Behind him, he hears the click of boots walking down the hall and then, “Master Diluc!” Kaeya hums, “You’re early. Did you miss me that much?”
He fights the urge to roll his eyes at his tone. “I’m not early. You’re late, idiot.” Diluc’s eyes glance at the clock once more as he turns around, arms crossed. Kaeya looks tired, so he cuts him some slack. He won’t question him for now. “Ready?”
The younger’s gaze looks between his desk and Diluc once quickly, but not quick enough for Diluc to miss. It almost feels like he knows Diluc was snooping. “Ready.” His easy grin returns and then they’re out the door.
Diluc forgets to make up some kind of ‘important matter’ to relay to Kaeya, but Kaeya doesn’t mention it at all.
—-
It shouldn’t bother him much. Not really. In fact, Diluc is so restrained that he leaves the topic alone for a few months. However, the fact that Kaeya won’t bring it up does bother him. Diluc thought they had this sorted. They wanted to be a part of each other’s lives. And being part of your siblings’ life usually meant meeting their significant other, right?
So, why on earth has Kaeya not said a peep about it?
Going as far as to be secretive when it came to the topic.
It’s not the end of the world, obviously, but Diluc wants to know. He wants to grill whoever it is- interrogate them. Be sure they aren’t some kind of freak or weirdo. He wants to be privy to things that make Kaeya happy.
Every time Diluc tries to steer the conversation in the direction of anything remotely close to relationships, Kaeya gives him the run around. He’s either amazing at playing oblivious or he truly doesn’t know what Diluc is getting at.
He thinks it’s the former rather than the latter.
They’re walking. Diluc is following him around on his evening patrol. (No, Diluc does not want to hang out with Kaeya. He’s just following to be sure he doesn’t get himself into any trouble. That’s all.)
A few patrons are milling about outside of the Cat’s Tail. A drunkkard stumbles and falls on the stairs as they pass, but another helps him up.
They walk below the stone arch indicating they're leaving the city and that’s when Diluc asks directly. In a way that Kaeya won’t be able to avoid.
“So, how is he?”
Kaeya doesn’t answer at first, a hand on his sword lazily as they cross the bridge, scaring a group of pigeons in their way. “How is who, Master Diluc? I’m a very popular man, you know, I know a lot of ‘he’s’–”
“Your lover.”
It looks as though it startles Kaeya. His steps falter, and his eye widens slightly. He sputters, “My- I’m sorry, my what?” He looks at Diluc, incredulous.
“Your lover,” The older repeats, unphased. His arms are crossed and for a moment, he wonders if he truly misspoke- if he was a fool after all. But, no. The way Kaeya stutters, his face burning and eyebrows furrowed- Diluc knows he’s right. “The one you’ve been seeing since May?”
For a few minutes, there’s nothing but silence. Cicadas humming on trees, and the crunch of their boots on the dirt path as they make their way to Windrise are the loudest things filling the air.
“Well, I think I’d know if I were seeing someone, Diluc. Especially since May.”
“Do you ever tire of lying?”
With a history like theirs, a question like that is one that flies out of Diluc’s mouth without thought. He only winces after he hears it. Still, he doesn’t take it back, because Kaeya is lying. That’s something he’s certain of. And he’s trying to mask the fact that he’s hurt with annoyance.
There’s a beat. Kaeya says, “Watch out,” Grumbled and more annoyed than anything at a hydro slime bouncing toward them menacingly. He extends his sword toward the creature with a bored look and a burst of cryo much too strong for taking on such a small thing bursts forth- exploding it to bits.
He doesn’t sheath his sword again afterward, rubbing his temples and moving along with Diluc falling in step behind him.
“I just was under the impression that we were trusting each other now.” Diluc continues, now that he understands guilt tripping is truly the only way to get anywhere. “That’s just what I thought, but my apologies, Sir Kaeya. I understand you’d probably tell the damn spark knight before you tell me-”
Kaeya spins on him, eye narrowed and sword raised slightly to his brother though Diluc knows he won’t actually put it to use, “Are you baiting me?”
“No.” Diluc says without hesitation, though his eyes are narrowed in just the same fashion, “I just thought you trusted me.” He shrugs his shoulders.
A long, deep sigh emits from his younger brother. Kaeya clicks his tongue and turns on his heel again, heading further down the dirt path. “I trust you. It’s just,” He pauses as if searching for the correct word, “Complicated.”
Diluc doesn’t push for further information yet, just glad he got what feels like a confirmation out of him. He blinks, looking up at the clear sky, “Is he ugly?”
It’s meant to make Kaeya laugh and it works. Kaeya squawks out a surprised laugh, nodding his head. He surprises Diluc by getting out, “Sometimes,” In between his laughs and that makes Diluc snort. “But that’s not why it’s complicated.”
Silence falls between them again, but it isn’t uncomfortable this time. Kaeya looks like he’s trying to actually think before he speaks, so Diluc keeps his eyes on their surroundings.
“I can’t introduce him to you, you won’t like him.”
“Because he’s ugly.”
Another long sigh, “No, Diluc.” There’s an autumn breeze that carries a bit of a chill- a reminder of the time of the year.
Diluc kicks a rock in his path, watching it skid across the dirt. “Will he be in town for your birthday?” He asks, partially to let Kaeya know he hasn’t dropped it just because there was silence between them for a moment or two.
It looks as though Kaeya is thinking again. Diluc doesn’t make a joke about not hurting himself even though he wants to.
“I’m not sure.” Is what he settles on saying slowly. It looks like he’s a little irritated by it. In return, Diluc gets irritated with this faceless lover of his.
“Well, what’s he got going on that makes him so busy?” He grumbles, like Snezhnaya isn’t a far trek.
The younger shrugs, face no longer pinched in irritation. “A lot.” Is all he offers.
The city is far behind them as they reach the statue of Barbatos, the large tree sitting behind it colored orange and red with the color changed leaves. Kaeya takes a seat on the stone steps in front of the statue, staring at the sunset before him.
“I need you to just.. trust me on this,” Kaeya’s gaze follows Diluc as he takes his seat beside him on the steps, “I’ll introduce you, I promise, just-” He trails off.
They fall into another moment of silence and Diluc fidgets a bit with the handle of his claymore laying beside him. “Okay,” He shrugs a shoulder, relenting, “Do you really think I won’t like him?”
“You might hate him.” Kaeya snorts without hesitation.
“I don’t think so. Not if you trust this guy.”
Kaeya eyes him- almost like he doesn’t believe that.
“Even if I don’t necessarily.. Like him, I’ll tolerate him.” He adds.
It’s another moment before Kaeya looks away from him, nodding. “Okay.”
And that’s the end of it. Diluc is quiet afterward, but he catalogues this conversation in his mind. He wonders just what kind of person Kaeya got himself wrapped up with. What kind of person he would be so sure Diluc wouldn’t take to.
He’ll find out soon, he’s sure.