A New Star in the Starry Sky

6. Between Brothers

"Chiori should be done by now." Keaya said.

It had been a couple of days since they placed his order.

Currently, they, without Cale since be was too busy sleeping, were chatting in the living room of Diluc's house since Cale had no other place to stay.

"I wonder how you'll look in an outfit designed by a famous designer!" Paimon squealed. "I bet he'll look beautiful!"

"What do you mean, Paimon? Cale is already beautiful." Traveler scoffed playfully.

"Hehe." Paimon awkwardly scratched the back of her head.

"I bet Cale would look like a goddess of love." Keaya complimented, smiling enchantingly. "Not that he doesn't already look like that."

"Wow, Keaya, you're really a smooth talker." Paimon pointed out. "Someone might think you're actually interested in Cale."

Keaya just smiled with his eyes shut, not saying a word.

"...Don't tell me.. you're actually interested in him!?" Paimon's pupils dilated as she came to an understanding. "I mean, Paimon understands, it's just that you guys literally met a few days ago!"

"Ever heard of love at first sight?" Keaya asked playfully.

"Uhhh," Paimon's cloud of memories appeared above her, "I thought those only existed inside fairytales."

"Haha." Keaya chuckled. "Cale does look like he came straight out of a fairytale, maybe we really are in one."

"Whatt!?" Paimon, being gullible, started questioning their existence, "this- this can't be! Paimon is real! Paimon isn't fake!"

"Paimon.." Traveler smiled awkwardly, "he's just teasing you."

"Hmph!" Paimon pouted with her hands on her hips, "Paimon is real after all!"

Traveler nodded.

Keaya turned away from the conversation, "I'll go wake Cale up."

"Alright, we'll be waiting for you."

Keaya walked upstairs, where the bedrooms were. He went through a hall, then stopped at a door. Keaya knocked twice, but there was no answer, so he entered.

The door creaked open.

"Huh?" Keaya stopped in his tracks. "What're you doing here, Diluc?" He asked.

Diluc's expression was cold as usual. "I'm taking care of my guest." He bluntly replied. He was sitting on the cushioned chair beside the bed where Cale was sleeping, holding a book.

'A sleeping person?' Keaya didn't believe his brother. "Sorry, brother, but I won't go down without a fight." Keaya slyly smiled.

"I don't know what you're talking about." Diluc placed the book down on the nightstand.

Keaya grew annoyed. "Anyways, it's time to head back to Chiori's workshop." Keaya stepped inside the room, walking next to Cale, he spoke, "wake up, darling."

Cale groaned, his eyes were not fully ready to open, like a newborn baby.

Keaya smirked. 'How cute.'

"What is it?" Cale managed to sound, turning around in bed.

"Your clothes should be ready now." Keaya explained. "We should get going now."

Cale frowned, "can't we go in the afternoon?"

"It's already past noon."

"..." Cale became silent. "What about at night?"

"I'm afraid not. Chiori won't be there so late." Keaya teased him despite knowing Chiori would wait just for Cale.

"Ugh." Cale muttered. "Fine." He slowly sat up, stretching his arms lazily. Even from the simplest stretch, his bones were rattling. After finishing, his back slumped down, he was still drowsy.

The two watched him silently, not wanting to interrupt the moment.

Even when Cale just woke up, his beauty was still fair and glistening.

Keaya chuckled, "are you tired? Should I carry you?" He stole the opportunity.

Diluc glanced at him, although on the outside he seemed fine, he wasn't fine on the inside. His heart ached heavily, and it hurt badly.

"Yes..." Cale accepted weakly, reaching his hands out naturally. He had done this dozens of times, maybe that was why he was so used to it and didn't question anything.

Keaya didn't expect this answer, he thought surely he'd get rejected, nonetheless, he carried on and picked him up bridal style. Keaya smirked as he left the room with Cale.

Diluc watched silently, following their movements. The edges of his mouth dropped.