Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

A fire had broken out in Springvale.

Nobody knew how this could’ve happened, whether a frightened animal had encountered a for once unattended fire or whether the wind had been a bit too strong, whether it had been arson or flying sparks...

In any case, the fire was only noticed when it was already too late. And soon in Mondstadt you could see the smoke rising and then the fiery red light flickering.

Quickly, the whole town was informed, knights and volunteers rushed to the small village with buckets of water to try to put out the flames. As many vision holders as possible joined the mission, but only those with hydro and cryo visions could really fight the fire. And while the latter were affected by the heat a lot more than anyone else, there weren't many Hydro-Visions in Mondstadt. There were just four of them, and one was needed to tend to the injured.

It was one of the days when Jean once again realized that the Ordo Favonius was massively understaffed. She was able to handle too much paperwork with some overtime and smaller tasks were suitable for knights in training. But even she couldn't balance out such a huge crisis.

Diluc was also there. He fought his way through the flames, his vision useless, almost tearing it from his waist in anger. But with its help, he managed to break into collapsed houses and burn his way through the destruction. The village was beyond repair anyway, so it wouldn't make any difference if he torched another wall.

He was currently making his way through the flames in search of a way out of this hell. In his arms he was carrying a child, not knowing whether it was unconscious, and next to him was his mother, who was talking hysterically to him and the child.

But he said nothing, tuned her out, and scanned the surroundings. The fire licked greedily at the wooden houses, somewhere behind them was a cracking and hissing. One of the houses had probably collapsed just now.

He saw the small pond in the middle of the village and knew it couldn't be far. The lake was surrounded by burning grass and bushes, parts of the fences around it still untouched by this raging force of nature.

Diluc grabbed the woman's arm with his free hand and pulled her along. She shrieked in shock, trying to pull away again, and he wondered if she didn't understand the gravity of the situation. He turned to her and hissed, “Stop resisting! Or do you want to burn to death?!”

The woman jumped and stared at him in shock. Shook her head. Coughed, he noticed her eyes watering from the smoke. Diluc snorted disdainfully, unable to understand why she was reacting like that.

“Then come!,” he growled and pulled her with him. This time she followed without hesitation.

With quick steps he led them to the pond, looked around, climbed over a fence that had not yet burned. Gave the standing woman a hard look, which made her cautiously climb over the fence as well. But her dress got caught somewhere and she stopped again and tried to free herself without damaging her dress.

Diluc saw the flames getting closer. They nibbled on the wood of the fence post just two meters away from them. The woman didn't seem to notice. She wiped the sweat from her forehead and leaned down, coughing, rubbing her eyes. Blinked, groaned as dirt got into her eyes.

Her head snapped in Diluc's direction. She looked at him pleadingly.

“Don’t stand there like that!,” she cried, “Help me! I can't do it alone!” She tugged at the hem, pushing it around, looking for the cause of the resistance.

The redhead gritted his teeth. He got over to her, grabbed the part of the dress hanging on the fence and yanked. The sound of fabric tearing, the woman shrieked in shock. But Diluc didn't want to discuss any more. He let go of the dress and grabbed her arm again and pulled her along. Luckily she didn't complain any further.

They carefully balanced on the thin line between the pond and the fire. Further and further, little by little, until an open space came into view. He ran off, the woman behind him. Not as fast, so she could keep up and because he was holding the child in his arms.

Eventually they made it out. Around them the fire grew smaller, dark, burnt patches more common, and he spotted Jean stopping the fire from getting closer. She blew the smoke and flames away, covering the back of a young boy with a hydro-vision.

When she saw him, she waved at him. The relief on her face was clear even from a distance, but it disappeared as quickly as it had appeared, giving way to concentration.

Diluc was also happy to see that she was doing well, but just like Jean, he concentrated on the task at hand, namely bringing this woman and her child to safety.

Safety in the form of Barbara and her fellow Sisters who were sitting and standing at a safe distance away from the chaos. One of the nuns noticed him from afar and ran towards him. “Thank you, sir,” she thanked immediately and took the child from him, “May Lord Barbatos bless you.”

It was the fifth time he had been told that today.

The nurse glanced at the child. Her eyelids twitched. She immediately turned around and rushed over to Barbara, who seemed to be finishing up with her last patient. The mother gave Diluc an apologetic look before she ran after the nun. Turning away, he could hear her coughing again.

Diluc blinked. His eyes had also started to burn, but he hadn’t wanted to show the mother. Had wanted to be strong for her and her child so that she didn't lose hope in her savior or become even more panicked. Because panic only made things worse.

Suddenly someone tapped him on the shoulder. Razor had appeared next to him, holding a jug of water. “Weird grown-up. Have to drink. Feel better,” the boy explained.

Diluc hadn't even thought of that. The adrenaline had made him completely forget about taking care of himself. At least Lisa would reprimand him for that and he was pretty sure she had given her student the task of making sure everyone drank enough.

And even though he didn't think it was necessary, he was well aware of what would happen if he rejected the boy.

So he gratefully accepted the mug and took two sips. Without a word, he pushed it back into Razor's hand and left him so that he wouldn't get the idea to persuade him to take another sip.

He quickly ran over to Eula, who was coordinating some of the knights and volunteers. Jean had given her that task before she had gone to the front line herself. And Diluc thought she had made a good decision. Eula was very capable and professional and, unlike Jean herself, accepted no objection. And what was most important: no one liked to argue with her.

She quickly noticed him and nodded. Diluc returned the gesture and slowed his pace to give her time to finish her current objective.

As soon as the group around her set off, they came towards each other.

“What’s the status?,” Diluc asked, getting straight to the point. The blue-haired woman replied, “As far as we know, almost all of the residents are safe. One squad is now searching everywhere for the last ones, the rest are concentrating on the fire.”

“Injured?,” he asked. Hoped for the best, feared the worst.

"Nobody life-threatening," said Eula, her voice firm and sure, "Some with smoke poisoning, others with wounds, sprains, etc." Diluc nodded in relief.  Nobody had died yet. It could have been worse.

But Eula apparently wasn't finished yet. Over the crackling of the fire and the shouts of people, he heard her inhale and so he looked at her again. “However, Kaeya has disappeared.”

It's so hot... But I have to endure it. Just a little longer!

Diluc blinked, frowning. “Disappeared?” She nodded. "He hasn't emerged from the fire for too long," she explained, "If he doesn't get out soon-" That was enough information. He knew exactly what was required of him. After all, she hadn't told him without reason.

Damn, my elemental powers are almost exhausted. I have to get out of here.

“I’ll take care of it,” he promised, turning away and running towards the wall of fire. He was already mentally preparing to give this guy a lecture about safety, which he was clearly neglecting again. Such behavior was unacceptable for a knight!

But where do I go? I just see fire everywhere...

Diluc quickly found a shortcut into the sea of ​​flames. He coughed and rubbed his eyes as the smoke hit his face again, but he managed to concentrate. His senses were sharp, focused, alert.

My vision... I can't see clearly anymore and- Ugh, the smoke, it's burning my throat!

He looked everywhere for the blue color of the Wannabe knight paragon, but he couldn't see anything. There was too much, too much red. Too many flames towering around him, blocking his view.

Just don't give up. Focus, Kaeya.

Suddenly something appeared in the corner of his eye. He whirled around, his hair flying, but it was just some villagers being escorted by two knights. Without Kaeya.

Shit! My leg… Fuck, that hurts!

Damn idiot! Diluc gritted his teeth as he continued to fight through the fire. If he found that bastard... With this shitty move he would only cause more problems for everyone! Where in Celestia’s name was he?!

Everything is spinning... I can't...stand up... My body... So heavy... This...heat...

Diluc jumped out of the way just in time before a collapsing, already burning wall could crush him. It hit the ground hard, kicking up tons of dust that flew into his eyes. He coughed again and blinked, tears forming in his eyes to get rid of the dirt.

The fire is getting closer... Fuck... I can't find a way out...

He quickened his pace again and held his arm over his mouth and nose. Maybe he should have done that from the start, but it only just occurred to him.

I...I shouldn't have...gone in... I should have stayed outside... It...will swallow me...

His breathing shortened, trying not to inhale too much smoke. But that was harder said than done. The smoke kept getting thicker and thicker, but it still kept going. No matter how great his grudge against Kaeya was, he couldn't let anyone down. And after all, Kaeya was still his brother somehow. So he fought on.

There is a face...in the flames... My heart... It's racing... No, no, no, please! I didn't want that!! I didn't mean to hurt you!! Please!!

He fought his way through until he reached one of the hill walls that bordered the village. He climbed up as quickly as he could in this state until he had a better view of the village. At first he didn't see anything. Just saw red and red and red. Red everywhere. But then. There, amidst licking flames. Blue.

I am so sorry!! Believe me!!

Kaeya, he could see him! But- He was sitting on the floor- Damn, he looked hurt. This fool! Diluc returned to the ground and ran in the direction he had seen him.

It wasn't my intention!! I never wanted this!! I swear to you!! Please, brother-

He ran and ran, he had to reach him before it was too late. Not just for Kaeya, but also for himself. He had promised his father that he would take care of Kaeya, look after him, and even though their friendship had long since been shattered, even though Kaeya was a lousy traitor and cheater-

So close, so close, so hot… Hungry, greedy, angry, red- I'm so sorry!!! I'm such a bad person, I know!! I’m a monster!! Please-!!

The wall of fire lay in front of him, the entire lawn covered in flames. He could barely see Kaeya behind it. So he ran along the edge of the flames, looking for a gap, and finally found it. At a point where the path had previously led, the flames did not reach a meter high. It wasn't good, but it was doable.

Then he saw him.

Kawya sat on the floor, his hands clutching his head. His breathing heavy and rapid, clearly hyperventilating, his gaze fixed on the flames.

Diluc barely recognized him.

He called his name again and again, but Kaeya didn't respond. Seemed completely lost in fear.

Diluc rubbed his eyes. He had to act. Immediately. He couldn't allow himself to hesitate. Kaeya had to get out of here as soon as possible and so did he, otherwise they would suffer permanent damage.

Or, even worse, die.

So he acted. Felt the elemental power in his body and the environment, gathered it in his body, in his arms, sent them into his hands, swung and simulated the movement of an attack. The fire within him manifested into a phoenix and raced towards the wall of fire, breaking it down and taking the fire with it, spreading it across the ground. It flew towards Kaeya, but before it could hit him, it pulled up and disappeared into the air.

Diluc ran, leaping across the burning ground toward Kaeya. He stared at him, his eyes full of fear, and crawled back. Every move he made was uncoordinated and seemed pathetic, but Diluc paid no attention to that.

“Kaeya,!” he shouted, but he shook his head and slipped further back. “Please don’t hurt me!,” he screamed, his voice shrill and panicked, “Please!! I’m sorry, please, I-!!”

He reached Kaeya and grabbed his arm. “Pull yourself together! We have to get out of here!,” he hissed and pulled him up. Kaeya stumbled and gasped. His face was twisted in pain.

And yet he tried to tear himself away from Diluc. It dampened the wave of pity that had overcome him at the sight of the blue-haired man's pained face. He felt torn between concern and contempt, but he knew there was no room for that right now. He had to stay focused and get them out of here before it was too late.

"Let me go!," Kaeya begged, "Please, I'll do anythi-" His words were lost in a coughing fit. He doubled over, his legs wobbled and his whole body shook with the coughing.

Diluc didn't back away. He threw Kaeya's arm over his shoulder and hugged his slender waist and started moving.

The spot he had passed before flared up more and more intensively, the fire slowly growing, beginning to close the circle. Diluc stepped up his game and dragged Kaeya with him, who was muttering some nonsense but had finally given up trying to get away. He probably didn't have enough strength for that.

They got closer and closer to the spot, the fire closing in further and further. The burning grass licked at their shoes as they stalked across. Diluc felt it trying to eat through his soles and was grateful that his boots were somewhat protected against fire.

And he just managed to get them both out of the circle before the fire could consume them. He stood there for a moment, trying to catch his breath.

"I never wanted this… What have I done...," Kaeya whispered near his ear and it almost drove him crazy, "It's swallowing me... I'm a monster..." Diluc groaned in annoyance. “Shut up and save your breath, will you?!”

Kaeya winced. Diluc turned his head towards him and noticed his lower lip trembling.

He instantly felt sorry for treating him like that. Kaeya was clearly in a state of shock and unable to understand what was going on. He didn't know why, but he just had to live with that for the moment.

Diluc started moving again, pulling Kaeya with him.

"…sorry," he mumbled, the word feeling strange. But the blue-haired man didn't respond. He had fallen silent and was kind of shuffling along.

Together they walked through the masses of fire, completely alone, not a single soul in sight other than them. Kaeya barely managed to support his body, coughing and wheezing and stumbling. And Diluc also had to fight. His eyes and lungs burned, his vision was so bad, he no longer knew if they were even going in the right direction.

Didn't know if they would ever make it out of this labyrinth of fire alive.

Until suddenly loud voices rang out above the rustling and cracking of the fire. He could barely hear what they were saying, everything was swallowed up by the thick smoke. Only two words reached his ears.

“Diluc!”

“Kaeya!”

He raised his head. Tried to blink. Those were their names. Their names. The exit... It couldn't be far away. They could make it!

Diluc gritted his teeth. It wasn't far. He had to hold on. They still had a chance.

“…’Luc…”

He looked at Kaeya. His visible eye was unfocused, his eyelid half closed.

“…S…’orry…”

Diluc shook his head resolutely and nudged in the side Kaeya.

“Don’t give up now, stupid!,” he hissed, his voice rough, “I won’t let us die.” He started walking again, step by step, lifting Kaeya further, almost having to drag him.

The heat, the fire, the greedy flames, they were everywhere. His head was foggy, half in a trance, and it took all of his willpower not to give up. All he thought about was getting Kaeya and himself to safety, finally getting out of here.

But there was hardly any way to do so. The fire blocked any paths that Diluc and the other helpers had previously taken. He barely managed to get them to the pond, managed to maneuver Kaeya over low burning grass, but there was no escape. The pond was almost completely surrounded by flames.

Kaeya staggered and collapsed to the ground. Diluc couldn't catch him in time before he slid down the hill and into the pond. He immediately followed him and slid down. Grabbed Kaeya by the collar and pulled him up so he wouldn't drown.

The water reached up to their stomachs. Flames everywhere else, and they in the middle of the pond.

Diluc looked at Kaeya. His face was dirty from the smoke and his eyes were barely open. His lower lip was still trembling, but then he looked at him. Diluc met the blue pupil and they just stared at each other.

He realized they hadn't been this close in a long, long time. His heart clenched, he didn't understand why, didn't understand why he felt this way now of all times. Why he felt pain and not anger, even though he should be angry. Angry at Kaeya for putting them both in this situation.

And then he suddenly pulled Kaeya closer and into a hug. Wrapped him in his arms and held him close and something inside him released. His shoulders slumped, the tension draining from his body.

“You’re not a monster.”

“And you two are not lost.”

The voice was gentle and kind, sweet and caring, and his first thought was that it was the voice of the wind.

A strong wind came up, whipping their hair and blowing through the fire. Diluc pulled away from Kaeya and stared in the direction the wind was blowing in and where there was now a gap in the fire.

“Venti…,” Diluc breathed in awe, gratitude filling his entire being. He threw Kaeya's arm over his shoulder, wrapped his arm around his waist and waded through the water with him. The gust of wind had blown the smoke out of his brain and he could think more clearly and concentrate again. And Kaeya seemed to feel the same way, because he no longer had to drag him.

They struggled out of the water, their clothes sticking to them, but it didn't matter. Diluc had gained new courage, fought through the heat, the chaos, and heard the voices calling out to them again. He heard Jean and Eula and saw the flames getting smaller and it becoming easier to find a way.

Beside him, Kaeya gasped, coughed again, and Diluc tightened his grip, trying to give him courage without words. He literally clung to his clothes.

And then, finally, after a few more steps, they burst out of the fire. They were discovered immediately. The voices became louder, less coordinated, chaotic. Diluc couldn't tell them apart.

There were Jean and Eula and a few other knights. Kaeya and he were separated and supported on both sides. Barbara was there somewhere, too, he was pretty sure, but everything around him disappeared in a swirl of color. It was spinning around him, he tried to look after Kaeya, tried to keep an eye on him, but he was gone.

"Ka...eya..."

The strength left his body, a headache like never before in his life. He tried to keep his eyes open, but everything was so heavy. He felt sick and as he fell into nothingness he saw a bright blue somewhere among all the other colors.

Chapter Text

It had been a little over a week since the Springvale fire and Diluc had returned home a few days ago. However, that didn't mean that he could, or rather was allowed, to go back to his everyday tasks.

While he was better off than Kaeya, he was worse off than most, at least when it came to smoke poisoning. For three days they had insisted on keeping him in the church's hospital wing to ensure he got full rest. He had hated it, but at least Jean had spoken out about finally letting him go.

Accompanied by two knights who had already recovered and a healer, he then had been escorted to the Dawn Winery and met by Adelinde and Elzer, who kept a close eye on him since so that he didn't overexert himself.

As if he dared to walk just two meters too far when his two closest confidants were basically looking right over his shoulder. He knew Adelinde well enough to know that she was not to be messed with.

So he had no choice but to sit inside or in front of the villa day in and day out, reading a book or watching the hustle and bustle of his employees. And sometimes Elzer even let him help with the paperwork. But only if Adelinde had given her consent. Because Elzer, too, had respect for her.

Diluc didn't get many information so far from the city. Charles, who had visited him once when he had had free time, had told him how the clean-up work in Springvale was going and how high the number of sick people was.

Since many people had been affected in some way by the fire - even if only for a short time - reconstruction was slow to begin. Especially since Jean and the local craftsmen first had to make general plans.

But at least the number of injured people was limited and steadily decreasing thanks to the wonderful care of the healers and nuns. Some had minor burns, few were more seriously injured, and truly serious problems were kept to a minimum.

However, Kaeya was also one of the latter.

Diluc hadn't seen him once during his time in the hospital wing. No one had been allowed to visit him when he had been brought home, and Charles hadn't had anything new to tell him other than 'he's alive'.

Diluc didn't like to admit it, but he was worried about the blue-haired man. And unfortunately he thought about him far too often. About him, their relationship and what happened in the fire.

Also unfortunately, he remembered far too well what Kaeya had said and how he had reacted. How he had backed away from Diluc when he had approached him. This scene played over and over again in his mind's eye and every time it stung.

He didn't even understand why.

He hated Kaeya after all. He hated him for what he had done, for lying to him and his father for years. And for what he was.

Well, he couldn't do anything about the latter. But still, it was him and he betrayed them all with his very existence.

And yet, this sting. Every time. He didn't want to feel it, he didn't want to think about it again and again. But he did so anyway, unable to defend himself. It was as if his brain was trying to torture him.

But how could he feel this way? His opinion of Kaeya had never changed. He would know that. Surely he would’ve noticed, right? After all, it was his own opinion. And that had been consolidated over the years.

Everything about Kaeya made him angry. His arrogance, his knowing smile, his cunning attitude, that he was still working with the Knights, the fact that he seemed to be doing so well...

Yes. Yes, he was angry that Kaeya was obviously over their broken friendship.

Not that he had hoped for anything else. Of course, he would’ve found it only fair if this traitor, this asshole had received real consequences for his lies. But that hadn't been his plan.

No. It was more like...

Another thing he found hard to admit to himself. Sometimes he thought back to their time as children, when everything had been fine. When he himself had been content and naive, when he had floated in blissful ignorance. And sometimes he dreamed of himself and Kaeya running together through the tall grass or collecting shells on the beach.

When he woke up afterwards, he hated himself for it. And so he did Kaeya, because he hadn’t just ran away and disappeared from his life.

Instead, he saw him every day and had to put up with him regularly storming his bar and gorging on the drinks until he eventually stumbled out the door completely drunk.

And despite everything, he hadn't hesitated for a second when Eula had told him about Kaeya's disappearance.

He had immediately run back into the flames and searched for his former brother until he had found him. Had risked his own life to save that of a traitor. A traitor whose life he himself had wanted to take a few years ago.

For a long time Diluc sat in front of the fireplace in the main room of the Dawn Winery and pondered these questions. Often it just hung in his head without him really thinking about it. At other times he pushed the question back and forth, looking for an answer, but wouldn't accept any that his brain presented to him.

How could he if these answers did not correspond to his view of himself and the world? What if they meant things he didn't want them to mean?

And so he couldn't find a satisfying answer. None that could explain his own feelings, nor Kaeya's behavior and words during the fire.

None that he could and wanted to accept.

Kaeya's words... They haunted him too.

He had described himself as a monster. Diluc had never thought it possible to hear something like that come from the blue-haired man's mouth. Ever. And yet it had happened. That was what he had called himself and Diluc had hugged him and said that he was not a monster.

It had been a short-circuit reaction. Nothing more. A short-circuit reaction in a crisis.

Of course he didn't compare Kaeya to a monster. He was not a Hilichurl or any other creature of the Abyss. At least as far as he could tell. He had once heard a rumor that the Hilichurls had arisen from the citizens of Khaenri'ah, but there was no evidence of this. At least he didn't know about any.

But telling Kaeya that he didn't see him as a monster?

Short-circuit reaction.

He had no pity for Kaeya. No. Definitely not. And the panic in Kaeya's eyes, the blue-haired man's fear and pain, he could only remember them so clearly because at that point he had wanted to, had to, concentrate on something else than just the fire around them. And he hadn't been that worried about Kaeya.

Diluc was once again completely lost in these thoughts when the front door suddenly opened. He whipped his head around and looked toward the entrance from his seat by the fireplace.

A slim, tall woman had just broken through the door and walked into the room with confident, long strides. Behind her, a half-angry, half-panicked maid - Hillie, to be exact - darted along, chatting up the woman who had apparently entered without permission.

But Diluc recognized her immediately. He rose from his chair and said in a loud, piercing voice, “Calm down, Hillie. I know the lady. She’s a nun.”

Hillie looked over to him, startled. “Master Diluc!,” she exclaimed and indicated a bow, “I'm terribly sorry, I didn't mean to disturb you!” But Diluc made a waving gesture. “I appreciate that you’re doing your job, but there’s no need for concern. You should get back to your tasks before Adelinde gets back,” he suggested, which had the desired effect. The young woman made a startled noise, gave a second bow, and hurried outside.

The door closed and the so-called nun wrinkled her nose. She came towards Diluc, who offered her the second chair and sat down again.

“You have your servants well under control.” Diluc didn’t bat an eyelid. "I prefer to call them employees," he replied as he watched the nun sit down, "The word 'servant' has a bad aftertaste." The nun made an amused noise. However, it sounded rather dismissive.

“You don’t seem to be a bad boss, Master Diluc,” she said, crossing her long legs. Diluc nodded. “I would hope so.”

The two were silent for a moment, staring into the flickering fire. The silence wasn't uncomfortable at all. They knew each other after all and had shared such a quiet moment before.

However, the silence didn't last too long.

“What brings you to me?,” Diluc finally asked. And as was typical for her, Rosaria didn't beat around the bush, "You can visit Kaeya." He blinked, taking a moment to catch himself. "Excuse me?"

Rosaria shrugged. Her cold gaze was directed at him and seemed to want to pierce him. “You heard me. The Acting Grand Master asked me to tell you that you can visit him now," she explained, obviously reluctant, "And before you refuse... I'm supposed to escort you to Mondstadt and I don't want to repeat my trip here. I’ve got more important things to do than that.”

He had no doubt she was serious. Rosaria didn't joke or make unnecessary threats. The only thing that surprised him was the fact that she had been sent by Jean herself.

Jean knew how Diluc felt about Kaeya. Of course she had no idea about ​​the exact reason for their argument, nor that he considered him a miserable liar and traitor, but she still had some rough knowledge. Maybe that was exactly why she had sent Rosaria and not a knight who he would’ve rejected out of principle.

"Bold of you to assume I want to visit him," he replied, "Just because I saved his life doesn't mean-" Rosaria's gaze hardened and Diluc noticed that he had crossed his arms.

She flexed her fingers with those long claws of hers and stared at him without blinking. “No. You can’t fool me, Ragnvindr.” And her voice was so firm and confident that Diluc understood that he couldn’t argue with her. No argument in the whole world would convince her that he didn't want to see Kaeya.

He sighed. "...Fine," he grumbled, "When do you plan to go back?" "As soon as possible." "Adelinde won't like that."

Rosaria looked at him with the most unimpressed look he had ever seen. “That's not my problem. “I’m just doing my job here,” she replied. Her attention shifted to her claws, which she pushed together, making a soft clanking sound.

Diluc grimaced. Overall, he liked Rosaria because of her direct nature and the fact that she didn't let anyone tell her what to do. However, both of these qualities could also make it quite difficult to get along with her.

The two talked for a moment before Diluc prepared to head to Mondstadt. Before he left the villa, he informed Elzer and asked him to also inform Adelinde so that she didn't have to worry about him.

Once that was clarified, they set off. Their progress was slow as Diluc was still a little weak and exhausted more quickly. Rosaria endured their regular breaks and slow pace without complaining, for which he was quite thankful.

When he asked, she also told him what he had missed during his time at home. There wasn't much that Charles hadn't already told him, but there were a few details that she only knew because of who she was.

The last stop they made was in front of the bridge that separated Mondstadt from the rest. Rosaria had suggested this so that they wouldn't have to take a break within the city and fear an influx of people desperate to know how he was doing. Foresighted as always.

They still couldn't avoid one or two people who wanted to engage him in conversation. However, many were driven away with the help of Rosaria's presence.

Once they arrived at the church, it didn't take long for Rosaria to disappear. One moment she fell back unnoticed and the next she was no longer there.

Diluc looked around in surprise. There was absolutely no trace whatsoever of the nun. As if she had vanished into thin air.

But he didn't have time to think about why and where she had disappeared to, because he was already noticed by another nun. It was Sister Jilliana, which he could tell by her long, brown hair, her somewhat plump body and the motherly, round face.

"Master Diluc, it is a real pleasure to see you this healthy," she greeted him, "May Lord Barbatos bless you." Diluc nodded politely. In the past, when he heard such sentences, he had always thought that Lord Barbatos would hopefully not bless him, especially not with his presence in the tavern in the evening, but he had long since gotten used to the fact that the Anemo Archon was a goddamn drunkard.

“May he bless you too. I owe my ongoing recovery mainly to you all. You really took good care of me over the three days,” replied Diluc in the gentlemanly manner for which he was known and loved. After all, he wasn't deaf and knew about the image he conveyed to the outside world.

Sister Jilliana beamed at him happily. "Such high praise is one of the greatest gifts," she claimed, indicating a bow before, as Diluc had hoped, asking for the reason for his visit, "I assume that you are here to see Captain Kaeya?"

Diluc nodded and Sister Jilliana asked him to follow her. She led him into the church and further into the hospital wing and Diluc could see straight away that the number of patients had truly decreased significantly. The nuns no longer seemed so stressed and one or two doors were open, revealing empty beds.

"There is something else I would like to ask of you," Jilliana began, her voice a lot more serious than before, "Sir Kaeya's physical health looks good and he can probably be released in a few days." She paused. Diluc looked at her, but her gaze was fixed straight ahead.

He didn't know if it was his imagination, but she seemed kind of unsure, like she didn't know if telling him the rest was a good idea.

“But…?,” he asked, trying to keep his voice calm and neutral.

Jilliana cleared her throat. "But we noticed that his psyche must have suffered from the experience," she continued, slowing her pace, "Every time he's asked about the fire, he stiffens up and either claims he can't really remember, or that nothing special happened.”

Diluc immediately understood what she was getting at. “And you think he’s lying, right?,” he asked, which she responded to with a nod. "Exactly. We are worried that it could burden or even limit him in the long term. And we can’t reconcile that with our conscience,” she continued, finally stopping in front of a door with the number 2.1*, “Could you maybe try and ask?”

A sigh escaped his mouth. He knew exactly why he was asked to do this. After all, it was no secret that he and Kaeya had been inseparable until a few years ago.

But was he able to get anything out of the blue-haired man? He doubted that.

"I'll try, but I can't promise anything."

The smile returned to the nun's face. "You have our thanks," she said and made an inviting gesture towards the door, "See you, Master Diluc." She nodded to him and he returned the gesture before she turned away and walked back down the hallway.

Diluc stared at the door. For a second he thought about just leaving again, but pushed the thought away. He took a deep breath and grabbed the handle, pushed it down and opened the door.

The room in front of him wasn't particularly big. There wasn't much more than a bed in it.

Kaeya was sitting up and had a book in his lap. When he lifted his head, Diluc noticed that his hair was loose. Something he hadn't seen in a long time.

"Diluc," Kaeya said, the surprise evident in his voice. He nodded at him and closed the door.

“Hello, Kaeya,” he returned the greeting, “I was told you were doing better.” Kaeya shrugged his shoulders.

“Not as well as you though, it seems, given that you’re already walking around.” His voice wasn’t as smooth as always, but he hadn’t expected anything else.

Diluc tried to appear nonchalant, but when he saw the bandages on Kaeya's arms, covering a fairly large amount of skin, he already felt anger rising inside him again. “In case you forgot, you were the one who was staying irresponsibly long inside the fire,” he growled, “Which is the reason I even had to recover.”

The blue-haired man clutched his heart in a theatrical manner. “Barely here and you’re accusing me already.” He shook his head in mock sadness, because of course every conversation they had was this back and forth. “How shameful, Master Diluc. That is no way of talking to your sick brother.”

On any other day, Diluc would’ve scolded him for calling him his brother. But not this today. Not today.

Because somehow Kaeya was right. He was sick and Diluc had wanted to see him to make sure he was better. So he pulled himself together and swallowed the snarky comment.

“…Right. I don’t visit to lecture you.”

“Yes, please do spare me,” Kaeya replied with a grin, “Jean has lectured me enough already.” These words brought a small smile to Diluc’s face. When Jean lectured someone you could be sure that she was serious. Because when she wanted to, she could be scary as hell.

“Good. Then I won’t have to waste any more words on that topic.” He walked around the bed and to the chair that was next to the bedside table. "So. How are you feeling?”

Kaeya blinked, perplexed. He actually looked like he hadn't expected the question.

“Huh, you’re seriously interested?,” he asked and Diluc nodded, “Wow, that’s so out of character, but I like this new side of yours.” He rolled his eyes annoyed. “Don’t get cocky.”

Kaeya grinned but ignored his words.

“I’m feeling alright.” He shrugged his shoulders. “A bit nauseous at times and I still have that annoying headache that is flurrying up repeatedly, but it’s all getting better. So no need to worry about me.” Somehow it seemed as if Kaeya wasn’t talking about himself, but about someone else. As if it didn't affect him at all.

The first evidence of Jilliana’s statement, as Diluc realized.

“And how much do you remember?”

Was that too intrusive? Would Kaeya immediately back off once he realized what Diluc really wanted to know?

But he didn't seem to notice yet. Instead, he just made fun of him again by countering, "Hah, if you want to know if I remember how you selflessly saved me-"

“Answer the question,” Diluc growled and massaged the bridge of his nose. He was starting to get a headache.

“Alright, alright,” replied Kaeya, mock-offended, “I remember the sudden gust of wind and how you started to drag me out of that pond, but the rest is barely a blur.” Diluc hadn’t expected him to be so open with his answer. And Kaeya wasn't even finished yet.

“And while we’re on the topic… It was Venti, wasn’t it?”

Diluc nodded, albeit a little delayed. “Yes.” It was more than strange that Kaeya not only knew who Venti really was, but was also friends with him. After all, the Anemo Archon had participated in the destruction of Kaeya's homeland and his fellow citizens.

He quickly pushed the thought away.

“Well then, questions answered,” said Kaeya, sounding very satisfied, “You now know how I’m faring, so let’s call it a day.” Diluc crossed his arms and leaned back demonstratively in his chair. “Not a chance.”

Kaeya sighed. “The nuns asked you to find out ‘what happened in the fire’, didn’t they?”

Diluc was silent.

“I knew it…,” the blue-haired man mumbled resignedly, “But you know what, I'm too tired to argue, so if you could just leave-” “No,” Diluc said in between, who never would’ve thought Kaeya actively wanting to get out of the situation, nor that he would show himself so vulnerable in doing so.

Well, he didn't appear to be all that vulnerable, but by his standards it was massive.

“Well, I don’t want to argue,” Diluc continued, “I want you to be honest and tell me the truth.” He tried to catch Kaeya’s eye, but he barely succeeded. The blue-haired man dodged him and trying not to make it too obvious that he was doing so, but that didn't really work.

Kaeya shook his head. He stared at the blanket in front of him for a moment, where the book he had read before lay, before he said, "Last time I did it didn't turn out that well, did it?" And it hit Diluc unexpectedly hard.

He tried to ignore the implication of the question, not to feel its force and weight, but it was almost impossible. They had never spoken so directly about this night of all nights.

"Wha-," he started, but forced himself to say something else, "This is a completely different situation and has absolutely nothing to do with-"

A thought suddenly popped into his head. As if someone had turned on a lamp. Jilliana had said that it was suspected that Kaeya might have gotten mental problems from the fire and that something must have happened that he wasn't telling anyone.

He hadn't doubted that for a moment, at least the latter, because Kaeya was always hiding something from everyone. But what if Kaeya had already been afraid or at least a little scared before the fire? What if he had a negative memory that was linked to fire and had given him an even greater negative experience?

What if their fight after Kaeya had told him the truth had left lasting damage? Not just physically in the form of the scar across his right eye, but also psychologically...?

“With what? Diluc?”

Diluc looked at Kaeya. Fire.

He clenched his fist and threw it in Kaeya's direction. His whole body went with him, he shot into the air and was right at the bed in seconds. Kaeya tried to get away, didn't get far, the headboard behind him, and already raised his arms protectively in front of his face...

But nothing came. There was no impact, no nothing. However, Kaeya hadn’t even expect that.

Diluc's hand hovered half an arm's length from Kaeya's face, holding a flame which’s body stretched greedily into the air. And the blue-haired man didn't move an inch.

“So it has something to do with that day,” Diluc remarked, unable to suppress the triumphant undertone. Kaeya, on the other hand, seemed to have thrown his usual mask of mockery and arrogance into the wind and gave him a venomous look. His visible eye flashed angrily.

“It doesn’t! So why-“

But Diluc didn't let him finish. “Stop lying! You’re afraid of fire because…” He paused. Only now did he really realize why Kaeya was probably afraid of fire.

…because of me…

Only then did he realize what he had done.

He closed his fist and the fire disappeared.

Kaeya sat back down normally, tried to straighten herself, and Diluc did the same. “Backing away from a fire that is shoved in your face doesn’t explain anything,” the blue-haired man stubbornly claimed. He leaned against the headrest, his chin in the air, presumably to get back his composure.

Diluc shook his head slowly. He tried his best not to show how much the realization had just upset him.

"Oh but in this case it does," he replied, his voice no longer hard and cold as before, "Listen, Kaeya, I-"

“You really should get going now.”

Diluc clenched his fists. How could this guy be so damn stubborn?! Why didn't he see that he wouldn't leave until he had an answer to his damn question?

“No, we are going to have this talk while you’re not infuriating,” he countered. Kaeya pouted. “That’s mean.”

He massaged the bridge of his nose again. He didn't want to get angry, he kind of owed that to the blue-haired man, but every single word and every sign of the drama he was stirring up was making him mad. “Don’t act childish,” he asked of him, “We are grown men and should be able to have a normal conversation-”

“You’re the one who just threw a fireball in my face.” That was a good point. But still… “I didn’t throw it in your face. And I only generated it because you keep being a jerk.”

Now Kaeya grinned again. “What happened to having a normal conversation?” Hadn’t he said he was too tired to argue? And now he was throwing stupid questions and sharp comments again. How could he stay calm enough to have a normal conversation when Kaeya was acting like this?

How could he have compassion for him when Kaeya was insulting him like that the whole time?

“Ugh… I just can’t understand you,” he complained in frustration, “Why don’t you want to talk about what exactly happened?” Kaeya crossed his arms. “Nothing happened, Diluc. And even if, it would be because it’s no one’s business.”

Diluc raised an eyebrow. “Do you really believe that?,” he asked, his voice quieter than before.

“Of course I do.”

He didn't understand. Either he didn't want to understand it, or he just couldn't. And both were sad at the same time.

“Well, you’re wrong then. These people want to help you. And if you believe me or not, I want to help you too.” And that was the full truth. It hurt to know that Kaeya was suffering because of him, he didn't know why, but it was. It just was.

However, the blue-haired man didn't seem to believe him. And if Diluc was honest with himself, he wouldn't have believed it either.

“Hah, as if!,” Kaeya replied, sounding almost dismissive, “And besides, how should it help me when I tell them what happened?” “So you agree that something happened?”

It was obvious he had caught him. Kaeya looked away and shook his head, uncrossed his arms and this time he massaged the bridge of his nose. Had Diluc ever seen him do that?

“I knew we shouldn’t have had this conversation now…,” Kaeya murmured, more to herself than to Diluc, who, however, could hear every word perfectly.

And he knew he had to keep going. Kaeya was weak, he had said so himself, and he seemed to have a lot of trouble maintaining the mask that he normally never took off. It had been crumbling the whole time, sometimes more, sometimes less, and Diluc was sure that if he could tear it down, he would finally get his answer.

So he continued to ask. “Kaeya, what happened?” He stubbornly shook his head. “I won’t tell you.” But Diluc persisted. “It wasn’t just the fire, so what else?”

No reaction. Kaeya stared at the blanket in front of him, his lips pressed together and his body tense. Diluc leaned forward, arms resting on his legs, trying to see Kaeya's eye.

“Kaeya, what was it?,” he asked, “Or do you just want to seem tough? Is that it? Do you want to create a mystery around it all?”

His answer came quietly and sounded somewhat uncertain. "No..."

He was on the right track.

“Did you set all of this up to hide that it really was just the fire?,” he pressed further, his voice angry, hard, building pressure. He scooted forward, to the edge of the seat, making small, restless movements to unnerve Kaeya even more.

The blue-haired man blinked uncontrollably. "No… I…" Diluc interrupted him, surprised by his own tone. “Are you lying to everyone? Are you portraying yourself as a crazy guy-“

“Stop…,” Kaeya managed to say, “That’s not…”

“-who was so selfishly fighting in the midst of it all while just being a weak-”

Kaeya winced, sounding desperate. "...please, stop-"

“-cowardly, lying liar who-”

He could see Kaeya break.

“I saw your fucking face!!”

Shrill and desperate and broken.

Diluc stared at him. His head was blown empty. And Kaeya stared back. Frozen in the echoes of his scream. But then his eyes widened and countless emotions flashed across his face. Fear, panic, shock.

“…Fuck.”

That one word was probably the most honest thing Diluc had heard him say in years. It got under his skin way too much. It hurt. So much.

Suddenly he had the urge to hug Kaeya.

He didn't.

"Kaey-"

Kaeya didn't let him talk.

"Are you happy now?!," he hissed and Diluc was inwardly shocked when he heard how shaky Kaeya sounded, "Are you happy to know that you're the reason I had a panic attack in the middle of a goddamn fire?"

Diluc was silent. He saw Kaeya glare at him, his eye slightly moist, and then turn his head away.

The silence between them was oppressive. It lay heavy in the room and Kaeya's words hung in the air as if they were stuck. It was uncomfortable, so incredibly uncomfortable, and Diluc didn't know what to say or do.

And what's more, he was ashamed. He was ashamed of not saying anything, of not telling Kaeya that he wasn't happy. Because he wasn't. He wasn't happy. He might never would’ve been, no matter what age he would’ve found out about it.

He breathed as quietly as he could. Didn't dare break the silence. But he had to. He had to do it. Because somehow it had to continue.

“No,” he finally said quietly, “I’m not. I'm... I'm shocked. And…sad…I think.” He didn’t know anything better to say.

A derogatory snort. “Who’s the liar now?”

Diluc closed his eyes. He couldn't look at Kaeya. He couldn't, didn't want to, see what he had done.

He sighed and stood up, stepping away from the bed. His footsteps sounded strange in the silence.

He slowly walked across the room and to the window opposite the bed. Stared out at the landscape, the lake that bordered the city. He had to think.

How could they had gotten this far?

He had once sworn to himself that he would protect his family with his life. To fight for it and do everything so that nothing ever happened to it. At that time his family had consisted of his father, Adelinde, Elzer and Kaeya. Kaeya, his brother.

And then everything had changed. A single evening had destroyed everything. Kaeya had told him the truth about who he was and where he came from. And he had attacked him. Had broken his vow.

He had never regretted it. It may not have been a right decision, nor a good one, but it was an unavoidable one. But when Kaeya had just shouted those words in his face...

The apology was on the tip of his tongue. He wanted to apologize, but he couldn't. It felt somehow...wrong. Like a lie.

Was it? Was that apology a lie? Was he actually sorry, or was this reaction just out of reflex? Was it just an automatism that drove him?

Diluc didn't know. He just couldn't say. Somehow everything had slipped. He had lost control. His head was a jumble of different thoughts flying around each other and making no sense.

Had Kaeya had a similar experience?

What situation was he actually asking himself that question? Was it the fire, or...

Probably both. They were here because of this one day. That's why Kaeya was afraid of fire. Because Diluc had attacked him. What did the healers call it?

PTSD. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

He looked at his hands.

Since his return to Mondstadt, he had thought that Kaeya had come to terms with their broken friendship. Only now did he see how broken Kaeya really was. How much that day had affected him. How much Diluc's anger had affected him.

In reality, he probably wasn't an asshole or an idiot. He was just... He was just a young man who bottled up his pain and didn't show it to anyone.

Or maybe that was a lie too...?

No. Diluc couldn't and didn't want to imagine that. And besides... This Kaeya reminded him so much of the Kaeya he had grown up with.

Did the blue-haired man miss the old days as much as he did?

Suddenly an image popped into his head. A picture of a little girl with the ears and tail of a cat who accidentally told him that a TCG card of him, Diluc, had been forgotten in ‘The Cat's Tail’ and that it definitely hadn’t been Captain Kaeya, who definitely hadn't stared at the card for too long at all.

And he heard Kaeya calling himself a monster, heard the plea that he would do anything, that he 'had never wanted any of this', and that he was sorry.

And suddenly everything just made sense. Kaeya missed him. Was that why he was in 'Angel's Share' so often? And Kaeya blamed himself for everything that had happened that day. Called himself a monster for what he was.

Diluc clawed at the window sill.

He should be able to forgive him. The apology had to come from the heart. Did it not? Kaeya hated himself for what he had done and what he was. He had just been a damn child when his damn father had abandoned him. He had never wanted any of this. Had never wanted to lie. He probably hadn’t really understood it all.

Still…

He could feel the anger inside of him. It was still there and he still blamed Kaeya for all of this. Even though he knew what he knew now. Even though it was unfair. Was it unfair?

Kaeya had done everything he had done. He had lied and he had pretended to be someone he wasn't. He had reacted the way he had reacted when Crepus had died. He had told him the truth at the worst possible time.

He had done all of that. There was no excuse for that. Diluc still hated him because of it. He couldn't shake it off just because he now knew that Kaeya was suffering from all of this. Diluc had suffered too. And still did.

No one would forgive him for what he had done in Snezhnaya. He had done it, out of anger and hatred, he had suffered during that time, but he had done it.

Diluc turned and looked over at Kaeya.

The hatred he had had for all this time... It was still there, but when he looked at the blue-haired man, that was no longer the only emotion he felt.

His legs started moving all by themselves. He went back to the bed, which Kaeya noticed and raised his head, opened his mouth, but he didn't get around to saying a single word.

Diluc leaned down and wrapped his arms around Kaeya. He sat on the edge of the bed, a little awkwardly, but he didn't care. He hugged the blue-haired man, pulled him closer, and rested his head on his shoulder. Closed his eyes. Sensing how tense Kaeya was, he loosened his grip but didn't let go. Breathed.

“I’m not lying,” he whispered, “I mean it. I’m not happy.” He held Kaeya for a moment, enjoying the closeness to the man he had once called his brother, and just before he pulled away, he felt him put his hands on his back. Very carefully, but he noticed anyway.

Then Diluc withdrew. “To be honest, I always thought you’ve moved on from our fight.” At first he didn’t look at Kaeya, but he forced himself to do so. The blue-haired man immediately looked away.

"I have."

Diluc sighed. He had enough of the lies. "Kae…"

“Don’t.” His voice was very quiet and weak.

Diluc hesitated. Didn't know how far he could go. Was allowed to go. What he himself thought was okay. Wanted to apologize. Didn't. Put his hand on Kaeya's leg instead of reaching for his hand.

“Kae. Let me talk, please.”

Kaeya was silent. He took it as a sign to speak.

“You’re right, I wanted you dead,” said Diluc and immediately regretted that he had started with that. But he had done so and there was no turning back. They would have this conversation now.

“And I have always blamed you for…” He paused, couldn’t say it, couldn’t name it.

“…what happened that day. But somewhere along the line I…I think I just…” He searched for words and after a moment he found them. “…started gaslighting myself into thinking that… You deserve to be dead and that you’re the problem. I didn’t once stop to think that maybe it’s not only me who’s suffering but you as well. I held on to that belief of you being the bad guy, maybe because I…”

He paused again. He had come so far and every word felt strange. Weird somehow. But what he wanted to say now...

It was incredibly difficult for him to say it. Because when he said it, it was real.

“…didn’t want to see that I’m partly to blame as well.”

“No.”

Diluc looked up. When had he lowered his gaze?

“You’re wrong,” Kaeya claimed, “I completely deserve your hatred. I lied to you all your life and-“

Diluc interrupted him. “Even so, my first reaction shouldn’t have been to want to kill you!,” he snapped at Kaeya. He jumped and Diluc realized how loud he had just become. Despite him not wanting that. He had wanted to keep calm.

But you could see how much Kaeya still made him angry with his mere presence.

He sighed. “Look, Kaeya, I need to organize my thoughts,” he explained, “There is so much in my head that I can't put into words right now and I really don't know anymore if I'm still mad at you or not.”

An amused noise next to him.

“I don’t want to say ‘I told you so’… But I told you so,” Kaeya replied and smiled at him. And Diluc hoped so much that it was a genuine smile.

He nudged the blue-haired man in the side. Just slightly, so it hopefully didn't hurt. “You didn’t want to postpone this conversation, you wanted to never have it in the first place. That’s different.” He couldn’t help but return the smile.

And of course Kaeya had to tease him about it.

“Hey, is that a smile?,” he asked and pointed at Diluc in mock shock, “I thought you had forgotten how to do it.” Diluc rolled his eyes. “Oh, shut up! Don’t act like this doesn’t affect you too.” He shook his head. What was wrong with them both? Even when they tried to get their lives together, they couldn't stop annoying each other.

He shook his head and grinned crookedly. “You know what? I think we both should get therapy sometime.”

But Kaeya grimaced. Suddenly his good mood had disappeared again. "Diluc... You know I can't."

"What do you mean?"

Kaeya took a deep breath. "...There is just...too much I can't talk about." "You mean-" Kaeya nodded. Diluc lowered his head. Great, now he had ruined the relatively good mood again. The suggestion had just supposed to be a joke!

Maybe Klee was right and he was just a grumpy grown-up.

He pushed the thought aside. For once he wanted to be optimistic. At least once. “But surely that shouldn’t be a problem, I mean, you’re the Cavalry Captain and…you’ve lived here for so long…without anything happening…” He realized that he wasn’t buying his own words. His voice just sounded far too uncertain for that.

“Right…?”

Kaeya avoided his gaze.

“Kaeya…?,” asked Diluc, slowly becoming restless, “Kaeya, what’s going on? What aren’t you telling me?” “I… I don’t know. I just feel like there might be…” He trailed off and sighed. But Diluc let him find his words in peace.

"You know, when I was in Sumeru some time ago, I met the Traveler and Paimon and I...told them about my heritage."

Diluc eyes widened in shock and surprise at the same time.

“You did?!”

And wait, hadn’t that been quite a while ago? Hadn't the duo been back to Mondstadt since then? And had even spoken to Kaeya? How had he not noticed? And how could the two of them have remained so calm?

But Kaeya didn't give him time to ask any of these questions.

“And then we got company… I’ve heard you’ve met him, too. Some tall, blond guy, dressed in dark, a mask covering half his face, gloomy…”

Oh yes, he remembered that guy well. Charles had later told him that the Traveler and Paimon had asked about him and talked to him before they had left together. It had surprised him, but he hadn't given it much thought at the time.

But now he understood. “He is from Khaenri’ah, isn’t he?”

Kaeya nodded. “Yeah. And he told me to let go of the past. He knows a lot, I could tell.” “But that’s not all he told you.”

The blue-haired man hesitated.

“…No. But… Please don’t force me to tell you. I will when I’m ready.”

Diluc bit his lip. He felt the anger, the hatred, but also the fear bubbling in his veins. But he wanted to be able to believe and trust Kaeya so incredibly much. He wanted it so badly, even though everything inside him screamed not to.

"I won't force you, I promise," he promised after a moment of thought, "I just... I just hope I can trust you this time." Kaeya blinked. And murmured so quietly that Diluc almost didn't hear it, "I hope so as well..." It sent goosebumps down his spine.

Silence fell. Diluc was unsure whether he should bring up Kaeya's last words or whether he should simply change the subject. He was silent, just like Kaeya, and he was so uncomfortable that he decided.

“Well, I think I should get going. That was quite a lot of…everything for one conversation,” he said, without getting up. He felt like he had to wait for Kaeya's approval first.

He nodded. You could see his tiredness all too clearly.

“Indeed it was. But…” He smiled at him. “I’m grateful you were here.” Diluc blinked, wondering for a few seconds why there was suddenly dirt in his eyes.

“Rest well,” he said, patting Kaeya gently on the leg before getting up and heading for the door. But before he left the room, he turned around again. He met Kaeya's questioning gaze.

“And don’t forget… You’re not a monster, Kaeya. You're my brother and you always will be. Whatever happens.”

And this time it felt right to say those words.

He saw Kaeya wiping his eye. The room seemed to be quite dusty. "Thank you, brother."

Diluc's heart instantly warmed. He hadn't felt like this in a long time. Kaeya hadn't called him that in a long time. Not with this sincerity, at least.

He smiled, nodded and left the room.