• 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.
Being the Darknight Hero, it was normal for him to have dark circles beneath his eyes. But these? Archons.
His sharp eyes glanced at the food next to the papers. A sick feeling erupted in his stomach. His head fell once again.
"I can't- I'm sorry Adelinde."
When he heard the crack in his brother's voice, Kaeya hesitated. Adelinde simply stared at the floor.
If he were in the right mind, Diluc surely would have left the scene right at that moment. But right now... he was glued to the chair: the slightest movement was so tiring...
He heaved a few breaths, unable to see beyond his arms, his mind clouding slightly, weak, weak, oh fuck.
"Diluc? Hey-"
"I'm fine... Please... please leave..."
"Adelinde, can you get him some medicine?"
She stood straight, a worried look plastered on her face. "Y-yes, Master Kaeya."
The head housemaid scurried away. Kaeya glanced around. Why was Diluc doing all of this work himself? Surely this was part of Elzer's job too?
He must have been out... Damn it, Diluc...
"Kae..." he heard a soft murmur.
Kaeya's pupils shot towards his brother again.
...You forgot the 'ya'... haha...
Kaeya pursed his lips. He stepped back a little.
Diluc was reaching out slightly. It looked like it anyway. But suddenly Kaeya didn't know what to do.
Diluc's fingers twitched a little, as if waiting. His eyesight was fading.
Haha... Adelinde come back already...
Kaeya's eyes fluttered when Diluc's head propped up slightly again. His tired gaze met his.
"Kae," he repeated.
Kaeya watched as his brother's eyelids continuously opened and closed, desperately trying to keep consciousness.
"Hold his hand."
All of a sudden, Kaeya's shoulders jumped, spinning around at the deep voice that appeared behind him.
He was a met with a silver-haired man, who simply smiled sweetly.
"He needs you a lot right now," Elzer stated, his head tilting.
Kaeya's gaze fell.
"I see."
He glanced back at Diluc. His hand was stretched out a little on the table, while he struggled to stay awake.
He stared down at him, slowly reaching out.
As soon as their fingers touched, Diluc's eyes fell closed.
Finally, he'd fallen asleep.
Kaeya looked back at Elzer. Elzer gently ruffled the Master's hair. Adelinde had come back.
"Master Kaeya..." she whispered, medicine in hand.
She approached them slowly, Kaeya silent as Elzer gathered the papers on the table, taking them away from Diluc.
"I'm sure he'll feel better after some sleep," she said with a laugh, placing the medicine down. "Thank you, Kaeya."
Kaeya blinked, feeling his hair being pushed back, tousled: "Adelinde." A smile spread across his lips. "I'm sure he's glad to have you two."
Adelinde felt the urge to say something, but decided not to. There was no point in ruining the mood now...
Kaeya fixed his hair. His smile quickly became bittersweet.
"My apologies, but I'll have to take my leave now. I'll leave him in your care. Make sure he takes the medicine..."
"Alright. Take care, Master Kaeya."
"Take care."
Kaeya was quick to leave. Almost too quick. He didn't like this.
Last time he was in Diluc's presence, Kaeya felt sick to his stomach... yet... seeing him like this...
Was it Kaeya's fault?
He couldn't just leave Diluc to be angry at his best friend like that... But bringing up memories both of them desperately tried to forget...
Kaeya shook his head, speeding past the grape vines, towards the exit of the winery area.
Never mind... As long as he realises his wrongdoings, perhaps everything will be back to normal soon...
•
Throaty coughs erupted through the forest. Thin liquid lay splattered onto the ground, accompanied by a lone woman, almost unable to stand.
She wiped her lips, her gaze falling hazy. Instantly, she stumbled onto the ground, her heart pounding against her chest.
"Ugh..." Her blonde hair fell forward after being stuck to her face.
"If that traveller's already headed to Inazuma... then that means... she's there..."
"She's already taken another gnosis... and I..."
"And you... So slow. When will you do anything right... Such a waste."
Maria winced.
"Your parents were killed? Come... perhaps the Tsaritsa has a place for you, dear..."
"Hmm... she looks quite similar to The Fair Lady... like sisters, even."
"She can never compare to La Signora: no, not all. She'll never be as strong as a Harbinger."
"The Tsaritsa hasn't even granted her a Delusion. It's useless to compare the two."
"Why would anyone accept her into the Fatui? She's slow. She's weak."
"She's weak."
"Weak little 'sister'... I see you're being set out for a certain mission... Your first after leaving the Fatui, even to do with your beloved parents... We'll see how well you do."
"Shut your mouth," Maria's grabbed her hair, tugging it at it, her head pulsing, pulsing, again, "Shut it!"
"(Y/N), wasn't it? So easily beaten. Weak. You will never surpass your dear Ajax at this rate."
"Weak."
Maria's pupils shook at the sound of her own voice.
Shock rang through her head, before finally the alcohol took over.
The voices in her mind fell fuzzy, her muscles dropping by the second.
Maria collapsed to the grassy ground, her eyes falling shut.
• •
short chapter for once ahah sorry my writing quality has dropped recently um yeah
anyways guys i am in love with yunjin i love her so much i am in love