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Kaeya was told of another Abyss plot attack– or whatever. He wasn’t really worried about it since Abyss' attacks were rarely threatening.
Just a few mages or a herald– but nothing the average knights couldn’t handle. So he didn’t bother rushing when Jean assigned him to an area that had Abyssal activity.
After all, it was the same thing every few weeks. He was frankly getting bored. He could have been having some good wine at Angels Share instead– but no. The Abyss just had to show up.
Kaeya looked up at the tower in Stormterror's lair as he slowly approached the destination…
It seemed he was right. It was just a few mages– not even a herald.
Anybody could have managed that with no trouble. Kaeya scoffed as he made his way further into the rune, not looking back.
The distant sound of fighting was heard the further he went– so he slowed his walk, not wanting to interfere with two Hillichurls possibly fighting each other.
He did summon his sword just in case, as he grew closer to the fight.
He stood outside the room, waiting until a distinct thud was heard, followed by the clamoring of weapons falling to the ground… then, silence…
Kaeya walked into the room, expecting to see fallen Abyss members–
But no.
What he found was Diluc.
Hyperventilating over his claymore– his hands shaking out of control–
His change in demeanor was instant–
a revived instinct–
Kaeya ran over to him, falling to his knees as he placed a hand over his back– all his previous composure gone.
Running theories in his head over and over again–
What was Diluc doing here?
He was supposed to be working at Angels Share–
Kaeya looked around– taking note of the burnt floors and blood soaking Diluc’s hands.
Neither of them was a stranger to bloodshed– so why was Diluc so scared now?
What was different?
He took a look at his face, but Diluc didn’t see him. His eyes were blank– misty – unseeing of what was in front of him– not even flinching as Kaeya shook his back, trying to grab his attention.
“-Hey, Diluc?” Kaeya shook him slightly, but he didn’t respond,
“What’s wrong?” He brushed the hair out of his face, seeing underneath all the sweat… tears, were forming in the corners of his brother's eyes…
“What happened?” Kaeya asked– more to himself than Diluc, as his brother just stared blankly ahead…
Almost nothing phased Diluc nowadays– so to see him trembling, struggling to breathe on the ground? It scared the hell out of Kaeya.
In a desperate attempt to reach Diluc, he pulled him to look at him– moving his hands from his back to his shoulders, holding him there, keeping him steady–
“Diluc– hey, buddy, I need you to focus.” He watched as Diluc’s eyes barely widened– some clearness returning to them.
Good, that’s good.
Kaeya relaxed the slightest bit, “Alright– can you tell me what happened?” Diluc didn’t respond to that, besides a slight tilt of his head, looking even more confused than before,
However, his tears had subsided, so Kaeya would consider that a win.
He sighed, hanging his head, trying to think of another way to get through to his brother, seeing as he could barely even form a thought, let alone a sentence.
He wasn’t a stranger to people going catatonic after a battle– but for Diluc? His strong and uncompromising brother, who fought Harbingers? For him to go catatonic?
Kaeya didn’t think it was possible–
Slowly, Diluc’s hands came into view, his gloves covered in ashen blood, and Kaeya’s eyes widened– stopping his thoughts as he watched Diluc bring his hands up to his face, cupping his cheeks carefully, rubbing his thumb over his eyepatch…
Kaeya was slightly worried about getting dirt on his face– but this was the most reaction he had gotten out of him so far.
Diluc didn’t say a word, just touching the fabric with a sorrowful expression.
Kaeya huffed after a minute of waiting– knowing what it was Diluc saw every time he looked at him. He slowly undid the band holding his eyepatch in place, letting it fall into Diluc’s hand, revealing his entire face to his brother.
“Happy now?” Kaeya asked– fondly exasperated with his brothers' childish request, receiving a nod– barely anything. But to Kaeya, it was everything in that moment– the closest he had gotten to reaching his brother, past the fear that held him back from talking.
He let him stare at him a little longer before they had to go.
Kaeya didn’t know if the Abyss would return– or Celestia forbid the Fatui, so he helped Diluc up. He was unsure if he was injured or not, but they had to move.
He gave a quick wave of his hand– dispersing his sword, along with Diluc’s claymore, still worried about his brothers' lack of response– or even reaction to being picked up. So instead of setting out for the Knights of Favonius like he should.
He started the walk to Dawn Winery. The last thing he wanted was for Diluc to lose his cool while being treated by the Knights— or for the Knights to overwhelm him…
He didn’t want Diluc to resent the Knights any more than he already did. Kaeya tsked, rolling his eyes. His brother could be so stubborn sometimes …
Halfway through the trip, Diluc started tripping over his own feet more than he already had been– before a heavy sigh took him into unconsciousness– now that had him concerned.
Kaeya quickly maneuvered them so he could pull Diluc onto his back– picking him up with ease… When was the last time Diluc had eaten?…
He carried him on his back all the way to Dawn Winery, where Adelinde stood– quickly reminding him of his missing eyepatch as she gasped upon laying eyes on him–
“Master Kaeya– and Master Diluc– oh dear. ” She moved swiftly to open the doors to the winery– ushering Kaeya inside before taking off to inform the other maids.
Kaeya made his way to the couch, gently placing Diluc on it, running a hand over his bangs, and observing the peaceful expression on his face…
“What trouble have you both gotten into now?” Adelinde rushed over with a kit she herself had made, containing everything from small bandages to sewing equipment for both wounds and clothing.
It had been a while since Kaeya had last laid eyes on it.
“Well, our dear Diluc here decided to fight the Abyss all on his own.” Or at least that’s what Kaeya thinks happened– since he hadn’t been there to see all Diluc had… guilt washed over him for not being there when Diluc needed him most.
“...What am I to do with you two…” Adelinde shook her head, quickly addressing Diluc’s wounds and removing his bloodied jacket.
Kaeya stood to the side, giving one more look at his brother before taking his leave.
He had to report this to the knights after all.