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Kaeya swirled the wine around his glass, watching it follow the movements of his wrist.
It was well past the close of the Angel's Share, but he always ended up staying later than allowed. Diluc hadn't kicked him out yet, so he supposes he doesnt mind. Or more likely, he didn't want to bother talking to him at all.
Kaeya glanced up at a huff from his brother, eyebrow raising curiously. Diluc scrubbed the table down aggressively. His eyebrows furrowed and a frown tugging at his lips.
Kaeya set the glass down and leaned his head on his hand, watching his brother carefully.
"Is there something wrong, Master Diluc?"
His words only seemed to agitate Diluc further, sounding more sarcastic than he intended.
Diluc didnt respond, but his movements against the table increased in pressure. Kaeya could see the way his arm was straining with the effort.
"Hellooo? Teyvat to Diluc? Is my presence truly that irritating?" Kaeya hoped that wasnt the case.
Diluc groaned and stood up straight, throwing the cloth onto the table. It landed with a dull thud, and then there was silence. Diluc glared at the table like it had personally offended him.
Kaeya frowned deeply. This wasnt usual behavior for the barkeep, even when he was so angry there was practically steam coming out of his ears.
"Will you give me something to work with?" Kaeya asked, getting a little tired of the one sided conversation.
Diluc looked at him finally and glared, "Why are you still here? The bar closed half an hour ago."
Kaeya rolled his eyes, "I wanted to finish my drink. Are you going to tell me what your problem is?"
Diluc looked away and crossed his arms, frowning at the counter again. He bit his lip, and tapped his finger against his elbow. Kaeya was growing more worried by the minute.
"Its not important." Diluc finally said, his expression unchanged. He seemed deep in thought.
"Clearly it is."
"Its not any of your business." He said this time, looking up to glare at Kaeya.
"Tell me anyways." He smirked, taking a sip of his drink.
Diluc stared, his expression pained. "....I was talking to that kid today. The clumsy one from the adventurers guild."
Kaeya nodded in recognition, "Bennett, right? Albedo commissions him a lot. What about him?"
Diluc bit his lip and looked away, "Did you know he... used to be a girl?"
Kaeya frowned. "He's not a girl." Did he have some sort of issue with that? Kaeya wouldnt hesitate to defend the boy, but he cant imagine why Diluc would care.
"No. I know he isnt. I just mean.... he was. When he was born."
"Why does that matter?" Kaeya asked, sitting up straight. He felt defensive on Bennetts behalf.
"Dont look at me like that. Its not- I dont have a problem with it." Diluc's voice was uneasy.
"Then what is your problem?"
"I didnt know people could do that."
"Well they can. Why does it matter?" Kaeya pushed.
Diluc closed off more, stepping back and leaning on the back of the bar. "Stop looking at me like I said something bad."
Kaeya frowned, setting his glass against the table. He truly didnt understand why this particular topic was bothering his brother this much. Normally he could identify Diluc's issues easily, at least- after they got closer, but he didnt have a clue now.
"Okay. Then tell me why its bothering you," Kaeya prodded. He wanted to help, if he could. Maybe Diluc just needed a better explanation of it?
Diluc looked at him now, eyes searching his face. For what, Kaeya wasnt sure. But he must have come to a conclusion, because he looked away again and hugged himself tighter.
"Is that something youre supposed to do as a kid?" Diluc asked, eyes trained on the counter.
Kaeya blinked, "Um. Transition? Typically people realize when they are young, and go from there. But I dont think theres really an age limit. Why?"
"So, adults can... do that too? Transition."
Oh. Kaeya suddenly felt very, very stupid. Was Diluc saying- was he- how had Kaeya not noticed??
"Yes, of course they can," Kaeya continued cautiously, "... is that.. something you were thinking about?"
Diluc snapped to look at him, eyes wide with fear. He shook his head, "No. What? Dont be ridiculous."
But Kaeya heard the guarded nerves in his voice, "Is it ridiculous? It would be fine. If you were. You always have been a little girly.."
Diluc glared at him, "Fuck you."
"What? Im being serious!"
"Youre making fun of me," Diluc said, his face turning a little red.
Kaeya shook his head, putting his hands up, "Im not! I swear! I was being genuine."
Diluc considered him for a moment, before sighing and dropping his arms. He looked a little lost for a moment.
"So- If I... if I was a woman. You wouldnt care? Hypothetically."
Kaeya frowned and shook his head, "Of course not."
Diluc's face got redder, "It would be a little embarrassing though, wouldnt it? Im 30 years old."
"Like I said. I dont think theres an age limit. Its not embarrassing."
Diluc bit his lip and stared at nothing for a while. Kaeya took the time to finish his drink, setting it down on the table louder than necessary when he was done. Diluc didnt react.
Kaeya stretched, his back ached from sitting in the same place for so long.
..
Finally Diluc spoke up, "I think I am."
Kaeya's eyebrow rose, "A woman?"
Diluc nodded, still not looking up.
Kaeya nodded thoughtfully, "Okay.. so what now?"
Diluc finally looked up, his eyes a little wider, "What do you mean? Do i need to- to do something?"
"No. You dont have to do anything. Im just curious on how things will change. Now that you know." Kaeya mentally patted himself on the back for handling this so well. A few months ago he may have said something more sarcastic and gotten Diluc riled up.
"Um. I dont think anything needs to change," Diluc frowned.
"A new name? Pronouns? Anything like that?"
Diluc shook his head slowly, "I dont think so. I like my name. And I think being called um. he. is fine. Is that weird?" He looked worried.
Kaeya shook his head, "No. Its your life. So you dont want me to do anything different?"
"I mean. Besides calling me a woman when it comes up, not really," he looked away again, "..I dont know if you still refer to me as your brother. But if you did, I think sister is better. If you do that at all I mean."
Kaeya frowned.
"Of course I do. You ARE my br- ... you are my sister. why wouldnt I say it?"
Dilucs face grew red, but he seemed to be biting back a smile, "I dont know. Its weird with us. I wasnt sure."
Kaeya nodded, "Well. I do."
"Okay." Diluc smiled to himself softly.
Kaeya leaned on the table, watching his sister curiously. He wondered how he had never noticed something like this.
Diluc seemed less stressed now, though, as if speaking it outloud was all he needed to do.
Then Diluc looked back up, the regular scowl he normally wore back on his face. "Are you going to leave now? You finished your drink."
Kaeya snickered and stood up, "Fine. Ill leave you be, your majesty." He gave a mock bow before turning around to leave the bar. "See you later dear sister!"
"See ya." Diluc muttered, but Kaeya could hear the smile in his voice.