Diluc stared at his father, absolutely stunned. Everything seemed so vivid, his Father's bright smile, the light shining through. The soft chair by the fireplace in Dawn Winery where he'd read story books to Kaeya to help him learn the language, from grand conquests in foreign lands to how the birds were being gifted their flight by the Anemo Archon. Kaeya beside him once more, his innocent baby-like face that he only grew out of once he hit a growth spurt around the age of 14.

3 meager years before disaster struck their family.

This was a dream, a really crazy dream, the best dream he'd had in ages, yes, but he wasn't going to play along with such a thing. Not after he tried so hard to forget the past.

How was someone supposed to wake up during a dream? It was pinching right?

He pinched himself as hard as he could, and squeaked, flinching against the chair. He mentally cursed himself, it was a pinch, a pinch he knew was coming, when he opened his eyes though h his father was still in front of him… this couldn't be real… just stared at him like he grew a third head, he was so glad Kaeya was asleep because he would never be able to live that down.

Suddenly Kaeya started giggling uncontrollably, "Hehe, did our grand knight just make that noise?"

Oh screw life. The least his mind could do was to spare him the humiliation.

His father chuckled as well, "Do you think you're dreaming or something, son?"

Yes.

Also by the archons, Kaeya seemed to be trying as hard as he could against Diluc's best efforts to forget he was there, his shirt was being gripped so tightly it was as if Kaeya too was trying to figure out whether or not this was real.

"Come on, both of you, you're going to be late for training, Adelinde has prepared your favorite breakfast already! Pancakes with grape juice, and of course mushroom skewers." said Crepus looking towards Kaeya, and ruffling his head.

Kaeya hopped up clapping his hands, "Yes Father!"

Diluc said nothing.

Kaeya turned towards him ecstatic, "Come on Ma- Matey! We have a pirate's adventure to start! Race you! If you lose I get an extra pancake for the rest of the week!"

He raced downstairs, not bothering to see if Diluc was coming with him, and narrowly avoiding crashing into one of the maids. "I'm so sorry! I have to get the last pancake!" rang out his apologies.

The maids simply laughed, hardly showing a hint of annoyance when it came to Kaeya's antics, the baby of the family, which means he could get away with pretty much anything… what a perfect place for a spy…

But this wasn't real, so he really shouldn't be thinking about this as if it was real.

"Aren't you going to race him?" said a voice from behind him causing him to whirl around in surprise just to see the concerned face of his Father.

Diluc stared downward, compelled because it was his father, somehow he'd always be able to get Diluc to talk on his bad days, "Uhm… no I don't really feel that well." he mumbled fiddling with a button on his pajamas.

His Father rested a hand on his shoulder and knelt down, "Remember Diluc, we are the Ragnvindr Clan of Monstadt. Shine true. Come on Dilly, you can tell me what's troubling you. You can't help others if you can't understand yourself. You can't fight the darkness if you succumb to it yourself."

Usually, in another life, this would spark a tearful Diluc breaking down, words flowing out like a river and him balling his hands into a fist at whatever his troubles were.

Such things ranging from being left out during a game to "But Dad! They were picking on Kaeya! They're bullies, they deserved it! I shouldn't get in trouble! They should! It's not fair! You can't just be mean to someone and get away with it! It's not right! It's not fair!" hissed his younger self after the kids parents would leave his Father's office with assurances he would be severely punished for hurting their pressure By the time he was done his face would be turning as bright red as his hair, and stomping around, usually something would spontaneously burst into flames, he would switch gears though when all he would get was a silent gaze of disapproval from his Father, passion failing him he'd place his hand over his heart and look as serious as he could "It's my solemn right and duty as a future Knight of Favonius to defend every citizen of Mondstadt born in Natlan or not, and as the BEST big brother in the world I have to defend him!"

You could blame Kaeya for his sudden change in attitude. At some point Kaeya had noticed that their father would not be able to resist Diluc whenever he'd start spouting about his duty as a knight and whenever he'd bring in his responsibility for Kaeya and he'd more likely than not forgo any punishment, after that getting out of those situations were a pinch. Because those kids were bullies and deserved to get their noses broken.

Diluc got second hand embarrassment nowadays nearly a decade later just imagining how ridiculous he looked standing there saying words such as "It is my solemn duty! By my oath of the Knights of Favonius! As my promise to be the best older brother in the word"

This wasn't this Diluc, so instead those words sparked a flash of irritation inside the 22 now seemingly 13 year old, a war between two thoughts. Shine true. The Ragnvindr Clan motto to remind them that they were to be the light in the storm, truthful and honest to a fault, to defend the poor and the innocent against any misjustice that might befall them. It had taken a rather bitter taste in his mouth now though for multiple reasons.

Can't succumb to the darkness? If my Father could see what I have become he'd be so disappointed…

Shine true huh. Is that why you concocted your shady dealings with the fatui that even flippin Kaeya Alberich hasn't discovered the full extent of yet?

Speak of the devil and he shall appear, saving him from having to respond, his expression triumphant as he held out a plate with 4 pancakes on it, Diluc shot him a flat unimpressed look back. "Um… Sorry, am I interrupting something important?"

Diluc shook his head rapidly pushing past Kaeya, taking a few steps down the corridor, hoping to head to….

What was he hoping to head too? It seemed like he was trapped in an endless… dream? Nightmare? He couldn't decide…

Kaeya paced a few steps forward as well skidding to a stop on the soft red rug behind him, wide eyes staring up. Ever the perfect shadow, shadowing his every move, learning them. A perfect spy. Maybe if he hadn't spent so much time blinded by his innocent act that he felt he needed to devote all his time to protect him then he'd have seen through it.

He should not be taking a dream this seriously. Deciding not to make a bigger fool of himself he turned around to see Kaeya and Crepus exchanging a dumbfounded look, "Uh, Diluc, your still in your jammies!" giggled Kaeya tapping him on the shoulder, Diluc forced a laugh out, because he was not at all embarrassed.

"Oh er… yes… I think I shall go change now…" mumbled Diluc awkwardly walking away, "Er, mhm that's what I'm doing, uh goodbye!"

Crepus and Kaeya continued to stare at him as he walked backwards before zipping down a hall out of sight.

Diluc ran into his room and closed the door, everything was so detailed and vivid, it didn't seem like there was any escape. Maybe he could keep thrashing around in his dream and that would translate towards real life, but if he had grave injuries that wouldn't do him any good. He'd wake up eventually right?

What if he didn't though?

Diluc felt frozen by the thought, trying to dismiss it but knowing that it was perhaps a very real possibility what if he was in some sort of coma, he couldn't do anything about it though, and that was the worst part. His thoughts jumped to Kaeya, was he alright? If he was in a coma and Kaeya was near him then…

Diluc slid against the bathroom door, trying to calm himself down, he was fine, he was just jumping to conclusions, a coma? Where had that come from? He was probably just dreaming and would wake up soon.

Lucid dreaming had never really been something he could do but there was a first for everything, he shakily opened the bathroom door only to remember… he still had his pajamas on.