happier than ever.

lies.

the day had been rough for the cavalry captain. the work more taxing than usual, his attention span even shorter. sure, he only got about two hours of sleep the previous night but nothing went right all day either. he woke up late, got semi-scolded by jean, had stacks upon stacks of paperwork to do and endured 2 hours of playtime with klee — which was just him trying not to get blown up.

the knights had definitely sensed a change in their superior. he was being uncharacteristically snappy at everyone, his witty remarks just a bit more personal than usual. it was only nine pm when jean physically dragged the captain from his office and shoved him upstairs.

"you're exhausted, kaeya. i'll handle the rest. get some rest, that's an order."

but when had kaeya ever followed orders? so here he was, standing in the doorway of angel's share.

"good evening, master diluc." he said as he walked to sit at his usual spot at the bar. diluc made no verbal response aside from a slight grunt and turning away to get another wine glass.

"ah ah, no need to treat me so coldly, diluc."

"kaeya, cut it out." the redhead sighed.

before the cryo user could reply, the tavern door was slammed open. a figure clad in green swiftly made his way to the bar before diluc spoke up.

"venti..why are you back?"

"a certain little wind reminded me that i needed to bring you this present!"

the bard dropped a pouch on the counter as he held a small bouquet of cecelias out to diluc.

"i decided it was time to pay you back." venti said as he smiled and did his signature little 'ehe'.

as the archon turned to leave, he looked over his shoulder before pushing open the door.

"happy birthday master diluc."

kaeya's eye widened slightly before relaxing once more. he watched as the corners of diluc's lips quirked up a bit before returning to his neutral facade.

"venti finally paid, huh?" kaeya laughed.

"you should follow suit."

"surely you can let me have a few on the house? i do remember father leaving me in your care."

"you're grown and make money, kaeya. you can take care of yourself."

"so, you'll gladly disregard his last wishes to you?"

he didn't mean to say it like that.

"i'm not talking about this here. get out."

"throwing me out, are you? just like how you threw away father's legacy?"

stop. stop! what is he saying?

diluc visibly tensed, the glass he picked up to clean shaking under his touch. the tavern had been slow in business for the day, diluc and kaeya currently the only ones there. had there been patrons, diluc could've easily slipped away and gotten himself under control, but being alone with kaeya held him frozen under his gaze.

"you sold off his mansion with such ease, it's quite funny actually."

"..leave." diluc said quietly.

"no, i really think we should talk about this. i am your beloved brother after all."

"..brother.." diluc mumbled.

"oh right! we aren't brothers, are we? no, we aren't even friends."

"kaeya.."

diluc made eye contact with him. he looked distressed. kaeya didn't mean for his words to come out like that.

why was he being so mean? why won't he stop?

"you're right! i never belonged. you made that very clear to me all those years ago. coincidentally, today happens to be the anniversary of it as well."

diluc hadn't moved an inch.

he wanted change. he wanted them to change.

diluc couldn't even think of his response before kaeya spoke again.

"i'll have you know, diluc, when i'm away from you, i'm happier than ever."

his voice trailed off as he watched diluc's face flash in genuine hurt. kaeya quickly realized the weight of his words as diluc put the last glass away, face with even less emotion than he thought was possible.

he lied.

it was a lie. he didn't mean it. not even one bit. the taste of those words on his tongue made him sick.

when had he become so bitter?

this was unnecessary. they could've talked this out like adults. the silence between the two was deafening. the only sound being the rain outside. his throat felt dry, his tongue tied, the only thing coming from his mouth was his name.

"dilu-"

kaeya couldn't even finish as diluc grabbed his jacket harshly, wasting no time as he bolted out the door.

kaeya felt blood rushing through his body, his hands shaking now. he ripped his eyepatch from his face, hands gripping at his long hair before he got up and ran after diluc.

kaeya would never forgive himself if he didn't talk to diluc before returning home for the night.