xxxi

                                    

                                          
• third person •
                          
"Harbinger? A Fatui Harbinger?"
                          
Diluc's head fell into his hands, a pen clattering against the table. "Were you not aware of this, Kaeya..."
                          
Kaeya pouted slightly. Diluc's messy hair pooled around him as he dropped into his arms on the table, on top of a bunch of paper sprawled around.
                          
"I never knew she was aquainted with one of the actual Fatui as well. A harbinger at that... Oh my..."
                          
"Her mother was a Fatui: what did you expect..." Diluc muttered. "They're much more than acquaintances, I'll tell you that..."
                          
Kaeya tapped his chin in thought. Should he tell Diluc what he saw? He didn't look in any state to listen.  
                          
"I happened to find them on a roof earlier, for some strange reason... (Y/N) didn't look too well; he was carrying her."
                          
Diluc only hummed despondently in response. 
                          
"What are you doing?"
                          
"Working..."
                          
Kaeya stared at the countless papers beneath Diluc. Seemed like winery stuff.
                          
"What were you doing last night?"
                          
"Working..."
                          
"You two are just as bad as each other."
                          
Diluc hid his face. His eyes narrowed in his arms. 
                          
"Master Kaeya!"
                          
Kaeya turned instantly at the sound of his name. A woman was approaching from the kitchen, a plate and a drink in her hands. 
                          
It seemed Diluc had already picked up the scent of food. He shook his head. "I told you not to worry, Adelinde..."
                          
"He hasn't eaten?" Kaeya folded his arms. "It's almost one o'clock. This is breakfast."
                          
The head housemaid placed the food onto the table, before rubbing her arm. "He's refusing everything..." she whispered. 
                          
"It's none of Kaeya's business..."
                          
"At least have the grape juice, Diluc."
                          
"He was out all last night as well... and started working the moment he came back..."
                          
"Adelinde..."
                          
Adelinde lifted his fringe slightly. Diluc's eyes closed in embarrassment, feeling her hand gently rest against his forehead. 
                          
"You caught a temperature last night too..? You're boiling, Master Diluc."
                          
"I'm fine," Diluc mumbled. "Please leave me be."
                          
Kaeya stood still. Was what he said last night too harsh..? Or did he just come to his senses..?
                          
"I'll make her feed you again."
                          
Adelinde glanced at Kaeya. An unusual stern look was fixed on his face.
                          
"Do you know how worried you're making the poor maids? Don't go out all night like that," Kaeya scolded. "No one wants you disappearing for four years again."
                          
Suddenly Kaeya had become the big brother.
                          
He slapped his own face, pacing back a little. "Sometimes even I wonder how you survived all those years by yourself."
                          
"I don't need other people's help-"
                          
"Keep telling yourself that, Diluc."
                          
Diluc sat up a bit, a prominent scowl on his face. Even scowlier than usual.