Cross-posted on AO3

Day 14: "I Didn't Mean It"

Diluc has been in the knights for hardly a year when it happens.

With his duties having been keeping him from home, the red-haired teen was forced to spend less time with his brother and father. Kaeya was turning fifteen himself pretty soon and the older teen found himself befuddled as to what to do for his birthday.

Ever since his father had brought that rain-soaked little boy home, Diluc had done his best to show Kaeya what it meant to be a child. The kid has been far too mature for his age and had only ever relaxed when he was with him or their father. It took until he had been at the Winery for nearly a year and a half before he finally stopped acting like a defensive cat around everyone else.

That day had been a sigh of relief for everyone.

Diluc sat up straight in his saddle as he was struck with a thought.

Kaeya had always enjoyed a good fight, the two using each other as sparring partners before Diluc had been inducted into the Ordo. The reason he had passed the physical test so easily was because none of his opponents had been as hard to beat as the blue-haired teen had been. It had been close to a year and he was certain that Kaeya had only gotten better since then.

Another session was likely very past do.

With a light kick into his horse's side, the pace picked up from a trot to a gallop as he rushed towards the Winery. The idea of a duel with Kaeya was just too good to pass up and he was certain his brother would be looking forward to it as much as he was.

The Winery looked just as welcoming as it always had, the scent of the orchard heavy in the air. He hoped there hadn't been any attacks by slimes whilst he had been gone. Or any other kind of attacks, human and monster.

Riding up to the stable, he was greeted by the enthusiastic employees as they rushed to greet him.

"Master Diluc, you're home," a maid called sweetly.

"Welcome back, Young Master," he heard one of the vineyard workers cheer.

Diluc couldn't help but smile at the warm welcome.

"Are Kaeya and Father in?" he inquired. He surely hoped that he hadn't ridden home so quickly for nothing, though he was able to stay for the week until he had to return.

"Master Crepus is currently in the study finishing up some work," the first maid said happily. "He's been a little glum recently."

"He's been in a right funk, he has," a different worker inputted. "But we're certain he'll be happy to know you're home, Master Diluc. I believe I last saw him around the back, sir."

Jumping down from his horse, Diluc gave the servants his thanks before rushing around the side of the Winery and towards the body of water behind the manor. While he couldn't see Kaeya, he was pretty sure he knew where the other was. They had taken to training together by the shore since the moisture kept the air cooler for Kaeya. With his Vision warming the air around him, it usually led to Kaeya becoming dehydrated and had even led to him collapsing once.

It was safe to say that Diluc had been distraught. It had taken Kaeya months to get him to train with him again after that incident.

Shaking his head to rid himself of the thoughts, the redhead perked up when he finally found his target. Kaeya was standing by the water's edge, his back towards the manor with his sword held limply in his right hand. He had probably already been training by himself.

Not bothering to slow down, Diluc ran straight for Kaeya's back. With a solid slam, he rammed into the other, causing his brother to yelp.

And promptly knocked both of them into the water.

Both brothers sputtered as they sat back up in the water. Kaeya looked alarmed until he took in his equally soaked brother, his face melting into an fond exasperation.

"Really, Luc?" he quipped. It sounded more amused than anything.

Diluc smiled sheepishly.

"If it makes you feel better," he started apologetically, "I didn't mean to knock you over."

Both brothers laughed jovially, the humor of their situation not escaping them. Once their laughter calmed to chuckles, Diluc stood from the water and offered his brother his hand and Kaeya gratefully took it, allowing Diluc to pull him up.

That's when the younger teen winced.

Immediately, Diluc started to check him over for injuries.

"What's wrong, Kaeya?" he asked worriedly.

Now it's Kaeya's turn to look sheepish.

"It's nothing too bad. I think I just tweaked my wrist when I fell."

To prove the minor injury, Kaeya raised his sword hand and showed his wrist to Diluc, who noticed the bruise already forming. Taking hold of the other's good wrist, the young knight led them both back towards the Winery.

He heard his brother laugh behind him.

"It's not a serious injury, Luc! Don't worry about it!"

"I know, but it's still my fault." He turned to look at his brother over his shoulder. "At least let me make sure you see Adelinde."

"Oh, fine," Kaeya sighed dramatically. He smirked when he met Diluc's eyes. "But you owe me at least one glass of Death After Noon."

Diluc wasn't impressed.

"you're underage."

His blunt response earned him a pout.

"Meanie."

"If looking out for your health is mean," he laughed, "then I'm going to be the meanest brother in history."

The two laughed again, making small talk as they walked back to the Winery.

Kaeya sighed from his seat at the bar, the sound of merrymaking surrounding him. It almost made him feel resentful, but he had never been the nicest when he got drunk. At least not this time.

Hanging his head until it rested in the palm of his left hand. His absent gaze was settled on his right wrist in an expression that was a mix of melancholy and self-hatred. Every time he blinked, he could see the bandages that had been meant to secure it.

I really should have kept my mouth shut.

Setting down the money for his drinks, Kaeya rose from his stool and made his way out the door and into the pouring rain.

A/N: This one took longer to write than anticipated. I had meant for Diluc to hurt Kaeya by accident while they were sparring, but I suck at writing fight scenes. I almost left this as a mostly fluffy piece, but then I remembered that this was FebuWhump and added some angst at the end.

I tried to write this on the 18th, but I only finished most of it since I was confused on how to end it. I wound up taking an extra day to finish it and put myself by another day. I really need to catch up.