Hello again! First off, this story was inspired by a Tik Tok from mochifanart who made a video with the "was that a laugh" trend. Second, this is actually my first time writing Kaeya and Diluc but it was a fun challenge. Enjoy!
For once in his life, Kaeya dreaded going to the tavern. At this point in time, everyone in Mondstadt knew of the rocky relationship he had with his sworn brother. Almost no one actually knew of the circumstances that lead to that and honestly, they were too afraid to ask. Kaeya remembered when Diluc disappeared, and people kept asking him where he went and what he was up to. Once he returned, the two of them simply tried to ignore each other. Some people around the town tried to get them to speak again because of their memories of the two boys happily playing together. Snide comments, heated tempers, and close calls quickly put an end to those attempts and the town accepted that they would probably never return to their old selves.
Over the years, Kaeya and Diluc had moved from out-right hating each other to being able to tolerate the other's presence. Kaeya prided himself for part of this as he insisted on going to Angel's Share instead of another bar which forced the two of them to interact. Poor Charles was also forced to play the role of a mediator a few times. Thankfully Venti was also around to distract them.
Despite how much they thought they hated each other; they could not deny the time they had spent together. When you spend that much time playing, training, and fighting together, the bond is not quick to go away.
Their relationship took a turn when Kaeya discovered the true identity of the Darknight Hero. As much as Diluc did not want to work with the Knights, it started to become evident that there were things that even he could not do alone. It was impossible for him to be everywhere at once. It all came to a head when Kaeya was out investigating a lead secretly. He silently broke into a Fatui safehouse to make a copy of their plans to ensure the safety of Mondstadt when he almost ran face first into the Darknight Hero. They both froze with weapons drawn and eyes wide as they tried to process what was happening. After that, they realized that they were on the same trail and begrudgingly started to trade information and work together.
That led to why Kaeya was on his way to Angel's Share currently. Normally, they shared information and came up with a plan together, but now, Kaeya had to admit that he made a plan, failed, and needed Diluc's help to finish the mission. Oh, while also telling him that it will be even harder to accomplish now that the Fatui knew what they would be after from his failed first attempt.
"Captain Kaeya! You're a bit earlier than normal." Charles greeted as he pushed open the door to the tavern.
"Slacking off again?" Diluc quipped in lieu of actually giving a greeting. It wasn't their style anyways, so Kaeya didn't even notice.
"If only." Kaeya muttered dropping into a chair. Diluc narrowed his eyes at him and stopped Charles before he could start to make Kaeya's normal order. Instead, Diluc grabbed a glass of water and slide it in front of him.
"I didn't see you yesterday, and now you're walking in here with your tail between your legs and a limp." Diluc whispered.
"Okay there is no way you saw the limp in the two steps it took me to get to this chair." Kaeya complained. He was confident it wasn't noticeable as he had tried to hide it to avoid any questions from the people or the other Knights.
"I know everything. Spill." The redhead said pointily. He wouldn't admit it, but it was exactly because Kaeya only took two steps to sit down and didn't walk around more that Diluc was able to tell his leg was hurting.
"I found something." Kaeya confirmed. "And, I need your help."
"Oh? The famed Cavalry Captain needs my help?" Diluc teased thoroughly enjoying the suffering face Kaeya made at his words.
"Please, D, I've suffered enough,"
"Debatable." He huffed. He dodged the Kaeya's swat as he walked over to Charles. "Charles, I'm sorry, do you think you could close by yourself tonight?" Charles rolled his eyes and grumbled about how he'd only worked here for years so of course he could before waving his boss off.
"Let's go to the winery. I need to change, and you can finish telling me what happened."
Kaeya grumbled as they walked, he couldn't believe that Diluc made this commute almost every day. At least since they were outside of the city, he gave up on hiding the limp he had which made it slightly easier on him. He filled the walk by relaying all the information he had about the campsite for the Fatui that he had stumbled across. Supposedly there were secret communications from the Tsaritsa to her Harbingers being temporally stored there.
"It's the perfect opportunity to gain an insight into what their planning." Kaeya finished.
"So why not grab the Knights and take the camp? Why come to me?"
"You know perfectly well that we can't spare the forces right now with Grand Master Varka having most of them."
"Well at least you came to me instead of going by yourself." Diluc sighed as he marched up the few steps that led to the winery's front door.
"Yeah, about that."
"What do you mean 'about that'? Kaeya don't tell me." The Knight sheepishly rubbed the back of his neck when Diluc rounded on him.
"Adelinde!" Diluc called through the mansion as with barely concealed anger.
"Yes, Master Diluc?" She greeted after a few seconds. She gave a quick nod to Kaeya as well. She was so happy to see the two of them spending more time together recently.
"Please prepare a funeral service for the Calvary Captain." He said shortly.
"Hey now, don't you think that's a little harsh. We can still-"
"Of course, Master Diluc." Adelinde responded unfazed, used to their antics. She restrained herself from giggling at Kaeya's offended squawk as Diluc marched inside with a huff.
"I'm hurt." Kaeya pouted to the maid. She simply patted his shoulder and ushered him inside.
It took Adelinde even less time to notice the limp Kaeya had. She forced him to sit as she fussed over him faster than he could blink. Exactly why the head made of the Dawn Winery was so skilled at massaging ointment into bruised muscles was a secret only a few people had the privilege of knowing.
Diluc silently cheered as he saw the sight of Kaeya hissing from the pain and Adelinde berating someone other than himself for once to be more careful. Dawned in his Red Dead of the Night gear he was able to convince his head maid to release the poor man so they could be on their way.
"My savior!" Kaeya teased as they left.
"I should have let her continue." Diluc once again was grumbling. "You realize our job is now a lot harder because of your little stunt, right?"
"Nothing we can't handle. In fact, between my brains and your brawn, I'd say we make a pretty good team." Kaeya said nudging him on the shoulder.
"We do. Although technically I have both brains and brawn." The red head retorted.
"True, but I have the personality and the winning smile." Kaeya teased as he flashed said smile at Diluc. That forced a chuckle out of the other man as he couldn't deny that Kaeya was known for his charms. He hid his own smile behind his hand, but it wasn't enough to keep Kaeya from catching it.
"Was that a laugh?!" Kaeya gasped as he tried to get closer to Diluc's face. "Did I make you laugh brother?"
Diluc immediately started denying it and shoved Kaeya away from him. "Oh my Archons, I didn't know you could still do that!" The bluenett laughed.
"Shut up!" He shoved at him again. "You would know that if you were actually funny."
I hope you all enjoyed that. If you have a second, please leave a like and a comment as they greatly help to keep me motivated and help me improve my writing. See y'all next time! ~Kiera540
ALSO: Should I write a full story about how they ran into each other in the Fatui safehouse? Would that be something you guys are interested in for a second chapter?