Kaeya lets out an annoyed sigh, awaiting the outlander outside the Temple of the Wolf. Even knowing that it was an act, watching Venti's face screw up and his crocodile tears beginning to spill out, Kaeya's heart had begun to ache. He'd fumbled with his words while trying to explain himself, desperately clinging to their facade of love. He flexes his fingers, trying to warm his hands despite the bitingly cold wind howling around the temple.
Kaeya catches sight of the speckled scars on his hands and his mind wanders to a certain pair of singed gloves, shoved behind several old pairs of knights uniforms, the sigil of the winery messily embroidered on the back, and a few small specks of Khaenri'ahn blood stained onto the fabric. A 'Happy 18th Birthday!' card lays beside it, bent and dusty, yet otherwise untouched. And then, a blonde slowly making her way up the hill, her floating companion beside her, captures the cavalry captain's attention.
The knight stares, hearing snippets of conversation as the pair get closer:
"You know, it's impressive how quickly you've picked up the language of Teyvat, Paimon was surprised you got it this quickly!!"
"It must be because you're such a good teacher Paimon!"
"Awww.. Thanks, Lumine.."
Kaeya tucks the name away with a smirk, Storing the information for later, Lumine hadn't revealed her true name to anyone in town, but now Kaeya knew it, all that was left to do was to figure out how much it was worth.
The pair work together seamlessly, disarming flame spitting machinery and utilising Kaeya's cryo vision to traverse the domain. They don't speak much but there are moments when Paimon says something just so incredibly asinine that golden eyes meet summer blue and the duo burst out laughing. Kaeya feels a weight slowly lift from his chest, his fight with Venti nearly completely forgotten in favour of this moment in time, of this quietly enjoyable scene. As the dragon's breath is destroyed and Lumine walks away, Kaeya prepares to confront the abyss mage clearly behind the many hillichurls within the temple.
Suddenly, a flaming claymore flies past him, and as the flames miss him by a hairs breadth Kaeya wonders not for the first time if this newcomer had intended to hit him, intended to finish the job. But the thought is fleeting and as the abyss mage is dispatched he pastes a smirk on his face and slowly claps, turning to face his brother.
"Knights of Favonious.. Always so inefficient." Diluc scoffs, refusing to make eye contact with him. Kaeya giggles, feeling a bit delirious but coming across as merely drunk.
"Agree to disagree, brother. But your involvement in this makes things a whole lot more interesting."
Diluc adjusts his gloves and brushes picks an invisible piece of lint from his sleeve, not saying anything. But Kaeya can tell it's coming-
"About Ve-"
"How's business, brother?"
The redhead sighs and gives Kaeya an exasperated look, used to this behaviour.
"Fine. But yo-"
"I am incredibly pleased to hear that, considering the growing popularity of the Cat's Tail, y'know I think it's something about their sense of community."
"Kaeya." Diluc says, becoming agitated.
"In fact I was thinking that a night of Genius Invocation TCG would be wonderful fun, you, me, and Jean perhaps?"
"Kaeya." Diluc glares at him.
"Oh you know what actually, I think I'm late for drinks with Rosaria."
"It's 2pm."
"Not in Fontaine it's not-"
"KAEYA WILL YOU JUST SHUT UP AND LISTEN TO ME?!" Diluc thunders, finally reaching his limit, his eyes are furrowed in anger and Kaeya forces his gaze to remain on the fire within them, and not on the harsh way Diluc grips his claymore, and the way his own fingers itch to grip his sword. The Cavalry Captain purses his lips and stays silent. His brother pauses, and Kaeya can sense the hesitation in him, cautious of his own anger.
"You and Venti?"
...
"You know what he does. He did it to Rosaria last year. You know how he works."
...
"I just... I just want you to be careful, that's all."
"Thank you for your advice Master Diluc, I shall take it on board." Kaeya says drily, a ghost of a smirk on his lips, "Now if you'll kindly move out of my way, I'll be taking my leave now."
"I'm being serious Kaeya, I know you think he won't get you because you know his games but I guarantee he's been playing this game for longer than you have."
"I appreciate your concern." He says coolly, walking past his brother,
"Fine. But don't come running to me." Diluc mutters as if he'd ever turn away Kaeya being genuinely vulnerable with him.
