Work Text:
This is always the place Kaeya turns to in his time of need. Maybe it's a response built in from when this very place gave him the first feeling of warmth he had felt when he was taken in by the Ragnvindrs all those years ago. Maybe it's simply due to that sibling pettiness that sits in his chest still. Either way, Kaeya finds himself limping up the path that leans to Dawn Winery. While dry, the weather is still rather frigid due to how late it is, the sun having long since set. There's a chance Diluc isn't even home. He might be parading around with his Darknight Hero persona all while Kaeya, the legal defender of Mondstadt, is helplessly knocking at his door with more injuries than Kaeya would like to admit.
Luckily for him, his dearest brother opens the door for him, the dark cloak still over his shoulders from his fun little night out protecting Mondstadt. Kaeya just about manages to smile through the pain coursing through his body as he leans heavily against the doorframe.
“Aren't I lucky to catch you before you turned in for the night! Would you mind giving me a hand?” Kaeya chuckles, wincing slightly as it shoots pain through various parts of his body. He watches as Diluc gives him a brief up and down, before scoffing and walking away, leaving the door open for Kaeya to enter. “You're far too kind.” Kaeya limps inside, shutting the door behind him. He watches as Diluc neatly folds his cloak on the large table, one chair turned out. Kaeya allows himself a small smile as he hopples into the empty chair, half collapsing into the seat when his screaming ankle finally gives out on him.
“What turned out to be too much for the great Knights of Favonius?" Diluc’s words are bitter, yet there's the slightest hint of care in his words as he walks away from Kaeya.
“Nothing that concerns the Darknight Hero, I assure you. It was a mere slip up.” Rather literally. Kaeya had everything at the hilichurl camp handled. It's child's play for him at this point. This particular camp was located near the top of a cliff not far from Dawn Winery, and Kaeya’s cockiness combined with the darkness sent him hurling down the cliffside. So yes, all of the injuries Kaeya received were easily avoidable, and yes he could have waited and gotten taken back to headquarters and healed there but where's the fun in there when he could visit his dearest older brother for a hand instead?
“Surely the mistakes of the knights are where the Darknight Hero aims to correct?” Diluc fires back, hardly paying Kaeya any mind as he goes about his business as usual. While it may seem like mindless pacing back and forth. Kaeya knows him better than that. Everything Diluc does is for a reason. A very particular, precise reason. Elzer appears from upstairs with a small case in hand. He hands it to Diluc, who takes it with a nod. Elzer takes his leave with a bow and Diluc turns his attention to Kaeya, or at least to his general direction. He places the case on the table next to where Kaeya is sitting. He pops the case open to reveal a variety of medical supplies.
“From my understanding of the Darknight Hero’s movements, he seems much more focused on protecting the people of Mondstadt than cleaning up after the errors of the Knights.” Kaeya winces slightly when Diluc takes a hold of Kaeya’s arm. While nothing is broken, except maybe his ankle, Kaeya’s definitely got a lot of bruises. Diluc pushes his sleeve up, revealing nothing noteworthy other than the expected bruising. Kaeya snorts when Diluc shakes his head like the disappointed older sibling he is.
Realising that most of Kaeya’s injuries are minor, Diluc turns his attention towards Kaeya’s ankle. He rather harshly yanks Kaeya’s boot off his foot, causing Kaeya to gasp out in pain, almost twisting his body away from his brother.
“Relax. You’re fine.” Diluc scoffs lightly, but his next touches to Kaeya’s ankle are much more gentle. Kaeya still winces under the touch, but he keeps himself still for Diluc to examine his ankle. After a bit of poking and proding, Diluc seems to make a judgement on how injured his ankle is.
“So what’s the verdict? You going to have to amputate?” Kaeya jokes, relaxing back into his chair. Diluc rolls his eyes, reaching into the case to pull out a half-used roll of bandages. With steady hands, Diluc tighten wraps Kaeya’s ankle, making sure the joint is properly supported. The motion is practiced. Like he’s done this a million times before. Kaeya watches as Diluc ties it off, placing the roll back into the case and shutting it.
“You’ll be fine. Stay off it and ice it for a week or two. You can stay in the guest room.” Kaeya blinks at the sudden statement. Not even an invitation, a statement that leaves no room for questions.
“Oh how kind of you.” Despite his attempt to feign confidence, Kaeya quickly finds himself surprised when he’s suddenly hauled to his feet, one of his arms around Diluc’s shoulders as he begins to drag Kaeya up the stairs of his estate before the other could even consider standing. “I can walk on my own, you know.” Kaeya chuckles, actually putting his own feet, well foot, in front of him now he’s had a moment to process the sudden movement.
“Last time you tried to climb stairs on your own while injured you only made things worse.” Kaeya’s chest twists slightly at the reference to a moment from their childhood. Kaeya doesn’t like to think back on it too often. The nostalgia of it all is tainted by that night, and he only has himself to blame.
Diluc helps him get settled in the guest room. As Kaeya gets comfortable, Diluc disappears down the hall and comes back with some of his own clothes for Kaeya to sleep in. Thank the Gods that they’re basically the same height. Kaeya changes with a little bit of struggle, being unable to stand on his ankle making things a little bit difficult. Afterwards though, he turns his attention to Diluc, who stands leaning against the doorway, his eyes averted.
“You didn’t have to do all this, you know?” Kaeya doesn’t expect a response. He honestly expects Diluc to simply walk away from go to sleep. He’s particularly right, as Diluc speaks as he turns away.
“I’d be a failure of a hero of Mondstadt if I got to pick and choose who I saved. More importantly, I’d be a bigger failure of an older brother.” With that, Diluc leaves, shutting the door behind him. Kaeya sits for a moment, stunned by Diluc’s words. He lays down with an empty chuckle, tucking his arms under his head.
“Whatever you say, big bro.”