Work Text:
- KAEYA POV -
Kaeya walked into Angel"s share once again. He was so tired. Not from work, really. He was tired because his past crept back up on him recently. When Diluc came back, so did Kaeya"s sadness. It"s been roughly a month and a half since Diluc came back. Kaeya remebers it clearly while he orders his usual from Charles. He doesn"t notice the worried look on the bartender"s face as he reminisces his visit with Diluc.
It was so unbearable. He remebers how he felt bile in his throat as he spoke to his brother. It took so much energy to not cry, that he almost forgot the reason of the visit. "Kaeya. You said you had something for me so...?" Diluc"s words got Kaeya"s attention. They had no coldness to them but that"s all Kaeya could feel. He choked a little as he replied. "Follow me, Master Diluc, it"s just around the corner." Kaeya saw the way Diluc"s face twisted at the formalness, but he trailed along behind Kaeya. When they reached the destination, Kaeya pointed to an... intresting looking vase. Diluc seemed confused, so Kaeya walked over to it and reached in. He pulled out a freshly cleaned and polished pyro vision with the initials "D.R" engraved into the back. Diluc grabbed the vision when Kaeya offered it to him. Kaeya couldn"t read his face at all. Diluc thanked Kaeya, grabbed the vase, and went home.
Kaeya thinks he must"ve upset him. Maybe, he hates him. Has he always? Everything is his fault anyway. Whatever. He doesn"t think about it anymore as he orders his 7th and final drink, before closing and paying the tab and leaving. He walks straight out of the front gates of Mondstat and decides he will lounge on a small bluff facing the lake. It"s nighttime, roughly 1am. The stars were shining brightly, casting their glow onto the lake. Kaeya marvelled at the beauty.
- DILUC POV -
Diluc was visitng Angel"s Share that day. He wanted to help Charles open the bar and he needed to restock the bsr anyway. After all was done, he decided to stay in Mondstat until the next morning. He spent the day talking with friends and doing some casual shopping. He came back to the Bar right after closing time. The bar closed at 12:30 am every night and opened at 10:00 am every morning. So, he thought he came home at the perfect time. That was until he saw the look Charles had on his face when he walked into the bar. It was a mix of concern, frustration, and sadness. "Charles, what"s wrong? Did something happen?" Diluc says with a voice laced with worry. Charles waved Diluc over to a table where they both sat.
"You just missed what I wanted to talk to you about. It"s Kaeya." Charles spoke in a firm tone. Diluc listened intensely, worried for Kaeya. Charles is never this serious. He continued, "I think.. I think somethings seriously wrong. He"s been coming in every night since you got back. He drinks so much. I"m honestly suprised he hasn"t died of alcohol poisoning!!" Diluc stares with a cold expression. If it were anyone else, they would think he"s angry, but Charles knew he was worried. "Please, Master Diluc. He"s your brother. Talk to him." Charles took Diluc"s hand in his and squeezed his hand. Diluc shook his head and got up. "Any idea about his location?" Diluc asks. "Not a clue. He always wonders off after coming here. Goodluck."
Diluc exits the bar and storms to the nearest knight. He grabs them by the arms. "Have you seen Kaeya?" Diluc stares, awaiting an answer. "Uhm. I think I saw him head towards the front gate, but I"m unsure." The knight pulls Diluc"s hands off of them as they respond. Diluc doesn"t bother to mutter a "thank you" as he speeds off to the front gate and exits through it, presuming Kaeya has left. Luckily for him, he was right. He spots Kaeya sitting on a bluff, watching the lake. He starts walking over.
- KAEYA POV -
His eyes are closed when he hears heavy footsteps approaching him. He opens his eyes and turns his head, only to be greeted with a view of his redheaded brother walking towards him, looking upset and possibly angry. What had he done to make him upset now? Kaeya turns away to face the lake quickly, tears building in his lashline. He tries his best to keep the tears in, but they fall. He cries soundlessly as Diluc sits down next to him. "Stars look magical tonight, don"t they?" Diluc says. Kaeya does not respond. He can"t. If he does, he will cry more. Diluc"s expression shifts as he realizes he"s being ignored. He leans over and grabs Kaeya, forcing him to make eye contact with him. "What"s wrong, Kae? You can tell me. Please, I hate to see you hurting."
And that was it. Kaeya full on broke down. Sobs rack his body and he gasps for air. Diluc hold him in his arms, telling him it will be okay, hes safe and loved, and hes here for him now. Kaeya curls into Diluc as his crying fit continues. "I"m so sorry, "Luc. Please, I"m so sorry." Kaeya manages to say through broken sobs. Diluc face softens. "What are you sorry for, Kae?" Kaeya takes a second to breathe and calm himself. "For everything. For what we could"ve been and what we are. I ruined everything." Kaeya leans more into Diluc"s hug as Diluc gasps. "You didn"t ruin a thing. If anything, I should apologize. So, I"m sorry, Kae." Kae doesn"t respond for a while. When he does, he says, "It"s.. It"s okay, Luc. I missed you." Diluc adjusts so they are both laying on the grass, stargazing. " I missed you too, Kae. Lots." They sit in silence for a long while, before driting to sleep.
When they awake the next morning, Diluc hugs Kaeya one last time and promises to be there for him whenever he needs before setting off to Dawn Winery. Kaeya calls off work and sleeps the day away. He"s very happy, but very tired. He skips the bar that night. He doesn"t frequent the bar as much as he used to now and when he does, he only has a couple of drinks.