Chapter Text
It is raining. Steam is rising from his brother's sword. His face swallowed in darkness. But the eyes were visible in an uncanny way. Those crimson eyes were bright. Terrifying. The innocence of the boy just hours before was gone. They were filled with hatred. They were filled with betrayal.
He was small. Small and cold. It was raining here too. The lack of proper clothes for this environment is prominent as the thin layers of fabric sticking to his skin. Sudden warm hands embraced him.
A bird of fire was flying towards him. It was once something he admired. But alas, it was bound to be directed at him one day.
Then he was back in his room. Soft light flowed in through the open window. He was at his desk, reading a book.
A familiar face was staring at him. It was father. His features were looks of hate. That of disgust. His once-welcoming smile was gone. Replaced by a scowl, Shouting: He was shouting at him. Telling him to get out. Telling him it's his fault.
Kaeya jolts awake. He was drenched in sweat, breathing hard, hair sticking to his face. Panic was clawing at him. He twisted around, attempting to kick off the blankets. Only he didn't end up kicking any off, and only fell to the ground with a thud. His adrenaline left him when a stab of pain went through his back. That's a new one.
He brought his hands to his face and sighed. His head hurt. And now his back hurt. He sat up and removed his eyepatch. Then pressed the balls of his hands against his eyes. His head was pounding. While it was not the worst headache he'd ever experienced, it was definitely on the bad side of them. The last time he had this bad of one, (that was not a migraine) was when when he got black-out drunk-
Shit.
Kaeya immediately scanned his living room, What do I remember… the first thing he should do is figure out what happened last night. His eyes went to the faded blue couch. At least I had enough sense to pass out on the couch.
He stood up, dizziness hitting him. He gripped the side table till it passed. Probably should go and see how much I have left. Kaeya began to head to his kitchen. He checks his stash. And it's nearly the same as it was before. Not enough wine was gone, especially if he was black-out.
He then checked his other cabinet. The one that he preferred to leave for emergencies. He opened the high cabinet and moved the flower container and the sugar. Behind it stood a single bottle of firewater and some other miscellanies alcohol. Everything was still there. Nothing was touched. He grabbed the only open bottle. (A bottle of whisk) and looked at the contents. It looked as if only a few shots were gone. And the last time he drank it was with Rosaria during a card game. So this is off the table as well. He placed the bottle on the counter.
He stood there, baffled: what does he remember? His head was pounding, so he started to massage his temples. Trying to remember. He remembers going to the share. When red flashed in his mind. He stoped and blinked. Diluc? Of course, Diluc was there. He was drinking at the bar. He remembered ordering… ordered… something strong. Why was he drinking something strong? His memory blanks from there. Only bits and pieces Warmth flashed into his head. Leaning on someone with red hair. himself Crying. He went white. And his body slowly lowered to the ground.
Fuck.
His eyes wide. Diluc carried him home, didn't he? And he cried! In front of Diluc of all people. Kaeya buried his head into his hands with a sigh. Something else was nagging at him. He doesn't cry without a reason. Even when he's drunk.
Then it hit him like a Lawachurl. Crepus. Panic griped at him. Its claws dug into his flesh causing shivers to go down his spine. That's why he was crying. He didn't want to panic. He does not need to panic. He needs to go to work. He quickly stood up and took a deep breath. And another. Then another.
He started scratching at his arm. I should go to work. His mind was a haze walked into his bedroom and got on his clothes. As he was getting dressed his eye landed on a metal bottle in his closet. He grabbed it. After he was finished he headed to the kitchen.
Grabbing the whisky bottle he took a swig from it. Then he opened the flask and poured some in. not all the way. He wanted to be buzzed. Not drunk. Besides, he still had a job to do.
—-------------------------------------------------------
Diluc was pacing. Adeline was awake when he got back, he had promised her he’d try to sleep. The fact that the maid should have been asleep by that time, Even if he wasn't home, was unnerving. He did try to sleep. But he couldn't. How could he?
She had somehow convinced him to not leave till sunrise, so he ‘would get some rest’. It was like the maid knew exactly what was going on. But she couldn't. Because if she did, she would know that he could not sleep after what transpired. He is fine, everything is fine.
He looked out the window, the sun was not visible, but the sky was slowly turning orange. Close enough. He grabbed his coat and left his room. Quietly making his way down the stairs so as not to wake up Adeline, when a sudden voice made its presence known, “Master Diluc. I thought we came to an agreement.”
He huffed and faced Adeline, “It's sunrise.”
“Not yet. The dawn had only just presented itself, Master Diluc.” her voice was full of authority. She knows she is the only one who could do that to him.
“I need to go.”
“I can not allow the Master of the house to run himself dry.”
“I am not-”
“When was the last time you ate something?” she interrupted. Diluc let out a defeated sigh, His last meal was yesterday and it was a light lunch. Adelines eyes softened. “Allow me to make you something to eat at the very least.”
“I’ll eat. But I can make myself-”
“No sir. I refuse to allow the Master of the house to cook when I am perfectly fine.” Before he could debate any further she had already made her way to the kitchen. He sighed and resigned to his fate.
________________________________________–
Jean sighed, she hadn't slept very well last night. If not for her the stress of work, then her worry for her friend. A knock at the door brought her attention out of her work. “Come in,” she said. In comes Albedo, holding a clipboard, “Oh hello Albedo. Is this about…” she trailed off, the name being something long forgotten.
Albedo caught on, however, as he nodded his head, “somewhat.”
Jean blinked, “somewhat?”
“Yes, turns out our Darknight Hero decided to do some investigating himself.”
She began to rub at her temples, “Of course he did. And it didn't go well? I'm assuming.”
“The only casualties are a few shattered beakers. However…” Albedo trailed off.
“However?”
“However Crepus seems to be, affected , by the words our vigilante had said.”
“What do you mean?”
“He was, distraught. I attempted to help by explaining what I could, without going too deep of course. I believe what I shared with him is something Kaeya would be alright with.”
Jean then hesitated, unsure of what to say, on one hand, Albedo knows Kaeya more intimately than she does, and she assumes Kaeya is more open with him. However, on the other hand, she has asked him not too. “Can you tell me exactly what you said?”
Albedo began to explain the events that took place the prior night,
—-------------------------------
Diluc had just left and Albedo had finally looked at the cause of the whole debacle. The elder redhead was sitting there, staring at the door to the office. Albedo wasn't the best at reading faces, but even he could tell the crises the man was going trough by his expression alone. He could sympathize with the man. He was just thrust into an unknown time, and everything he knows is wrong or changed.
After a few moments of silence, the man spoke, “That-that couldn't have been Diluc…” Albedo opened his mouth to speak but the man continued, “-But it was Diluc. It was Diluc.”
Albedo nodded. “Indeed it was.”
Crepus puts his head in his hands and sighs sadly. “My boys, what happened to my boys.”
Albedo shifted, He is not the best at comforting people, but he knows that it could help to lend an ear to the offended problem, “Sir, if I may, Do you wish to talk? While there are some things that I can’t share. I may be able to shed some light upon others.”
Crepus didn't even look up as he spoke, “Go ahead.”
Albedo walked over to the chair and sat down, hoping that would make it easier on the man, “your death, it was—” he paused. For the first time in a long time, he didn't know what to say. He didn't want to send the man into a panic, and he doesnt want to over-share what Kaeya had trusted to disclose. He decided to share what was officially recorded as this man's death, “-Your death wasn’t peaceful.” he decided on.
Crepus looked up from his hands. Dred lineing his face. “How?” was all he said. His expression was not readable to Albedo.
“A dragon, Ursa. You survived the attack, But you received life-threatening injuries: it would have been impossible to get you any medical attention—” So you begged your son to kill you . But Albedo had enough sense to not say that. “-you were aware of that. So you asked-”
Crepus brought his hand up and shook his head. “please, no more. I get it.”
Albedo nodded, “Your death affected them both. And it was a catalyst of sorts. But I'm afraid sharing anymore might not be the best idea.”
—---------------------------------------------
Jean sighed. Even with the newly acquired knowledge, it was not as helpful as she wanted it to be. All it told her was that Crepus now knew how he died. And a resmblince of an idea on how.
“Jean?”
She snaped out her thought process and looked at Albedo, “My apologies, can you repeat that?”
Albedo noedded, “Master Diluc will be here at somepoint. He said he’d be here ‘ First thing in the morning’, Although, the sun has already risen, I doubt he won't come.”
Jean let out a exasperated sigh, “Neather do I.”