Worlds Apart [Diluc x Kaeya]

Chapter IV - Road to recovery

Posting a lil earlier cuz I want to enjoy my spring break, lol.

This chapter kinda dragging but was fun to write ;)

-晨光^^

Previously...

The last thing he remembered was the wave of emotion that took over him, so happy to be there with him.

One last time?

      "Kae Kae! Look what I found!" Diluc laughed. He bounced over to the quiet boy, reading a book. "A snail!"

      "Ugh, get that away from me!" Kaeya shriek, jumping.

      "Aww, are you scared of this?" Diluc taunted, pouting his lips.

      "N-No, go away!"

      Diluc jumped on top of Kaeya, forcing the snail in his face. He threw his book at him, going cross-eye to keep a watch on the animal. He laughed out loud at his expression, beads of sweat forming on his forehead.

      "Disgusting traitor."

      The scene abruptly changed, from a laughing fight under the sun to a stormy night, the wet rain falling on the two. They seemed older, more mature, as they had seen death in the face.

      "Diluc..." Kaeya was on his knees, his tears lost in the pouring rain. The laughing boy's face was nowhere to be seen, replaced with a cold, porcelain expression.

      "I have nothing to say to you." He continued in the same monotone, raising his blade. Flame burst from the tip, spreading to the rest of the heavy sword. It was immune to the rain, and Kaeya sat there, motionless, powerless to defend himself.

      As if he tried.

      As he brought the sword down, the flame suddenly extinguished. Large ice spikes surveyed around the fallen boy, gripping his shirt tightly.

      Diluc was thrown back with the impact, landing heavily on the ground. He groaned, and Kaeya stumbled back in shock. He made a motion as if he wanted to help the figure up, but pursed his lips and let his arm fall to the side.

      He nearly slipped on the wet sidewalk getting up, shoulders trembling. Tears streamed down his face as he turned and ran, the ghost of his last smile still encrypted in the memory, more painful than any physical damage. Behind him, a phoenix burst into flames, squawking loudly, disappearing into the darkened sky.

      Gone, forever.

      "-getting out of hand. Perhaps we should try a different tactic-"

      Kaeya blinked.

      He was awoken to a loud voice in anguish. It seemed to be an argument, but he was too tired to care. They didn't seem to notice he was awake, and he looked down to see himself in a white gown, thick blankets draping over his chest. The weight of it was crushing him, so he sat up slowly, careful to feel around for a headache. He was on a drip placed on the side of the bed, the needles poking into his pale skin, veins clear. He felt around for any bandages and discovered some wrapped around his chest and lower body. Looking in a nearby mirror, he noticed that he looked quite pale, and a large bandage was plastered on his forehead. There was a dull pounding in his head, a few sore spots here and there, but nothing life-threatening.

      They finally noticed that he was awake.

      "Kaeya! How are you feeling?" A bright woman leaned over to him, face streaked with worry.