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Like almost every night, Kaeya was at angel share, drinking some death afternoon.
Today, it’s as usual Charles who was taking care of the tavern. So he didn’t have to bother about what he could say once drunk.
Because of course he wanted, today as well, to reach this state when he wouldn’t have to think about his problems. State that he couldn’t reach when Diluc was serving.
Why? Simply because he was the cause of all his problems currently. He was missing him. He was lonely. He wanted to find again this link they had back when they were young...
He didn’t want to make a mistake while drunk, so he was careful to always stay sober when he was near.
~
Kaeya was getting home, not walking straight and using walls as support.
Diluc had passed him not long after he left angel’s share, during his usual patrol as the dark night hero, and had decided to follow him, to make sure he would get home without problems.
It wasn’t that he was worried about him, it’s just... He couldn’t let anyone drunk go home without surveillance, that’s it. He would have done this for anyone else.
Unfortunately for him, even intoxicated, Kaeya was very perceptive. He noticed Diluc’s presence and turned around, he was now his back against the wall. "Who’s there?" He asked.
Diluc didn’t find any reason to stay hidden behind a wall, so he stepped forward, getting out his hiding spot.
"What do you want? Did you come to finish what you started years ago?!"
What? Why was he saying this all of a sudden, of course he wasn’t here for that. On the contrary even. So why was he saying that?
"Go on! Kill me before it’s too late! Do what you must to protect Mondstadt." He was crying. Kaeya was crying in front of him.
His instincts were telling him to go and hug him, to comfort him, but his mind was preventing it. Why was Kaeya reacting like this all of a sudden?
Diluc was completely lost. He didn’t understand what was happening. He took a step toward Kaeya who was letting himself slide down the wall.
He started running toward him to catch him before he could touch the ground. It was hurting him to see Kaeya this vulnerable. And He had no idea what provoked this state in him.
Or, maybe he had a small idea : alcohol and himself. Charles was often telling him that once drunk, Kaeya was talking a lot about him with sadness.
He also urged him to reconcile with him. He didn’t know what had happened this night, but it was obvious both brothers were missing each other.
Diluc sighed. Kaeya who was now against him, had calmed down. He put his arm under the other’s shoulder to help him. "Come one, we’re getting you home." He calmly said.
"Why?" asked Kaeya in a small voice, letting himself be dragged by Diluc to his home.
He opened the door and put Kaeya in his bedroom. "Why?" Asked Kaeya again, louder this time. "We will talk about it tomorrow, you’re drunk." answered Diluc.
Kaeya looked at him without saying anything. The ambiance started to grow awkward and Diluc, who was looking back at Kaeya looked away "I will let you sleep. Good night." He went to the door.
"Don’t go," said Kaeya before he could exit the room. "I don’t want to lose you, not again," Kaeya had tears in his eyes, which made Diluc stop.
What should he do?
He decided to stay, they needed to talk anyway, they needed it. But when Kaeya will be in better shape.
"I will be in the living room, rest." Kaeya nodded, seemed happy with this answer. He lay down on his bed and fell asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow.
Diluc on the other hand, closed the door without a noise and made himself some tea in the kitchen to wait for the morning.
~
The light shining through his window woke up Kaeya. He had a really bad headache and groaned in pain, regretting to have drunk this much yesterday (Which will not stop him to restart again).
He couldn’t remember how he got home, his last memory going back to when he was kicked out of the tavern by Charles because of closing time.
He took his time to wake up a bit better before sitting and notice that he still was in the last day’s clothes.
He decided to start bay taking some painkillers, but, when he saw a mop of red hair on his couch when he opened the door, he went still.
Who, what.... Diluc... there was only Diluc with this kind of hair, but how, and why was he in his home? What happened last night? (Technically, it was early in the morning but anyway)
A few seconds went by without Kaeya moving, then Diluc turned around "You’re up?" he didn’t get any answer.
He went toward Diluc after at least a minute "What are you doing in my house?" he asked getting defensive.
"You asked me to stay when I brought you back and I think it’s time to have a serious discussion." stated Diluc.
Not ready at all for this answer, Kaeya mind went overboard.
What had happened? What did he say to Diluc when he was drunk? What were they going to talk about? he didn’t know, and this made his headache worse.
Diluc gave him a glass of water with some pill, he took it with a bit of hesitation, before thanking him. The other probably anticipated the headache he would have when waking up.
They stayed in silence, looking at each other not knowing what to say.
Then Diluc cleared his throat before looking away. "I’m sorry," he said. Sorry? But for what? Kaeya was probably looking strangely at him because he added, "To have attacked you, that day..." Ha... Kaeya still wasn’t saying anything. "I shouldn’t have..."
Kaeya couldn’t believe his ears. His brother, who he thought hated him, was apologizing? He felt tears going for his eyes and said in a trembling voice, "So, you don’t hate me?"
"I… never hated you..." Diluc was still looking to the ground and when he looked up, Kaeya was once again crying. Without fighting his instinct this time, Diluc got up and went to hug his brother. Kaeya was gripping him like his life depended on it, crying tears of joy.
Diluc was only holding him, tapping is back, not knowing what to do.
After a while, Kaeya was calmer now, he took a small step back from Diluc, showing his usual annoying smirk. Diluc decided to ask this question now.
"Where does your loyalty belong? Mondstadt, or Khaenri'ah?" His answer was immediate. "You".