Blazing Hearts (Dilumi) Genshin FF

五

Diluc expected Elzer to be upset about him rescheduling their video call, but to his surprise the elder man didn't make a big deal of it. He did not expect to get a phone call from his brother in return, though. He was in the middle of homework and sighed quietly when he read the caller ID. As much as he wanted to, he would never ignore a call from Kaeya. Their relationship may be strained and has been since they were teens, but he was still an older brother, and he would never admit it but every time Kaeya called him he would worry. What else would he ever call Diluc purposely for if not to annoy every fiber that made up his being?

"What, Kaeya?"

"Good morning, Kaeya. How are you, Kaeya? Is something the matter, Kaeya?" The other man's velvety voice came through the speaker full of sarcasm. Diluc rolled his eyes and gave up on trying to concentrate on both him and and the computer, sitting back in his chair and resting the phone on his lap on speaker. "Obviously nothing's wrong judging from your tone. I'm busy."

"So am I."

"What do you want?"

"Elzer just informed me that our meeting has been canceled. Whatever is so important that this must be put on the back burner as crucial as it is?"

"I have a life here too, you know. Things happen and schedules conflict."

"Hm," Kaeya hummed, but it was a hum Diluc knew all to well that told him his words had not been taken to heart. "I'll let you slide this time, the same way you're letting those missing funds stay missing."

"I'm not letting them stay missing," Diluc said snarkily. This man always knew how to get under his skin, like he made it his mission to do it as quickly as possible whenever they spoke. "We are going to get to the bottom of this. Don't forget you work there too. The fact that this happened as soon as I left is already telling in itself." "Of course, Master Diluc. I'm working as hard as I can to find the culprit." Again with the sarcasm. "You'd better be." Diluc added, and he expected a comeback like always, but instead Kaeya went into a coughing fit, throwing his brother for a loop.

Diluc's face scrunched up. "Uh... you okay?"

"I'm fine." Kaeya's voice was rushed and raspy, and Diluc heard him take in a rattling breath before saying, "well, we'll talk next time. Goodbye." And the call ended abruptly. Confused, and maybe .3% worried, Diluc couldn't help but stare at his phone as he thought about what could be wrong with Kaeya. Come to think of it, he had never seen the younger man sick in his life. If he did just have a common cold he doubted the other man would take medicine and instead would just weather through it, the same way he would. Kaeya definitely wasn't one to do drugs, so that possibility was thrown out as well. It was most likely just coughs and sneezes he caught from someone else.

Diluc started on his work again and lasted 3 minutes before his phone rang again. This time, it was Chongyun. The redhead sighed again and answered his phone reluctantly. "Hey, Yun."

"Hey! You busy right now?" The other asked. He sounded too eager and excited for Diluc's liking. "Depends. Do you want me to leave my house?"

"Honestly, yes. To bring me food because I didn't have enough time to get any."

"Then, yes." Diluc responded.

"Come onnn, Diluc! I know you're lying! Anyways, guess who I just saw leaving the cafe together? You know the one around the corner from Building G?"

"Yeah. Who?" Diluc put the phone on speaker again and was about to tune him out until Chongyun said, "Ning and Albedo!"

Diluc froze and narrowed his eyes, snorting loudly. "What?"