The truth always laid heavily in Kaeya's heart.
Master Crepus was always so kind.
Kinder than the hands that left him in the rain.
Than the father that pinned the last of his people's hopes on him.
Kaeya often found himself reaching to his adopted father.
The truth at the tip of his tongue.
But he would stop.
Curl his hand.
And turn away.
Kaeya had sworn to tell Diluc.
When his heart was ready.
When it was the right time.
But he waited too long.
Instead of years, it took months.
Six months.
Six months after Diluc's death.
Kaeya couldn't stop himself.
He walked into his father's study.
And his father looked ever kind.
Waiting ever patiently.
It was then that Kaeya broke.
Laid it down.
The truth spilt like a rushing waterfall.
._._._._._.
Master Crepus was always proud of his sons.
He constantly reminded Kaeya repeatedly.
Now, more than ever, Crepus made every effort to see Kaeya everyday.
Before he left for work.
Inviting Kaeya to lunch at the manor.
Welcoming him home after a long day.
Even though Kaeya could clearly care for himself.
The Vision at his hip proved it.
But it never eased Crepus' own heart.
Because really.
He loved his family.
They were all he had.
Even though he couldn't achieve his dreams.
Couldn't protect them in the way he wanted.
He loved his wife.
And still loved her even when she left.
When she couldn't hold on any longer.
When she breathed her last in his arms.
He loved Diluc.
Even when he gained a Vision.
When he was so dutiful, so full of life.
When he was appointed Calvary Captain.
When he left that morning with a bright smile.
How Diluc shined just like his mother.
He loved Kaeya.
When he found him in the pouring rain.
When Kaeya grew attached to Diluc.
When he became a Knight alongside of his brother.
Even when he gained a Vision.
Master Crepus was proud in Kaeya's place.
He loved his family.
And Kaeya was part of it.
Always had.
Always is.
Always will be.
Kaeya was his son.
Which was exactly why Master Crepus looked at Kaeya.
Whose heart was bared for him to see.
Crepus stood up, walking around his desk.
It was jarring to hear his steps echo in the silence.
Kaeya tensed his shoulders, as if waiting for something.
But all Crepus could do was wrap his arms around his son.
Held him the same way he always had, did, and always will.
Crepus loved his children.
Even with their faults.
Their lies.
Their hurts.
Crepus lost his wife.
Lost one of his sons.
He wasn't about to lose Kaeya, too.
Crepus held his only remaining child.
One he had grown to love just as dearly as the other.
Maybe he should be mad.
Feel betrayed by the truth.
That he held a potential traitor of Mondstadt in his arms.
But all Crepus saw was the child he found in the rain.
Trembling and fearful of the future.
"Your home is not there anymore."
He ran a hand through the navy blue locks.
"Your home is here with me."
If Kaeya cried, only Crepus was his witness in the setting light.
._._._._._.
Kaeya sat at his brother's desk.
Just like he always did when Diluc studied on the floor.
The papers would be strewn all over the wooden floors.
And yet only Diluc would understand where everything went.
Kaeya loved the times he had to dance around to avoid the organized mess.
He remembered how Diluc's face would twist every time he was teased.
But for months, it was strange to walk right into Diluc's room.
Only to find it clean.
Diluc always cleaned his mess.
But it twisted a knife in Kaeya's chest.
Hence why he tossed the newest files on the floor.
Papers spilled out.
Fanning the newly swept floor.
Kaeya sat in the middle of the mess.
And got to work.
It was odd.
It was like he could see a clearer picture in front of him.
Of how the pieces fitted themselves together.
Of the odd movements of the Fatui lately.
Of the increased monster activity all over Mondstadt.
How close those pieces seemed to be.
Kaeya laughed then.
Mildly shocked.
Hardly believing.
And committed it to memory.
It was only when the floor became too dark to see that Kaeya stopped.
He lost track of time not for the first time.
He sat back, observing his work.
He closed his weary eyes, "I can't believe you work like this."
His mind's eye could see his brother.
Sitting across from him.
Crimson eyes bright and light.
"What can I say?" Diluc had said once with a shrug.
When the late afternoon sun bled on the floor.
And his crimson locks glowed in the light.
"The desks are never big enough."
._._._._._.
Something woke Kaeya up in the middle of the night.
It could've been yet another nightmare.
He hated having a scream of his brother's name die on his throat.
But it wasn't.
Down the hall, he heard a faint door click.
Heavy, yet hushed steps fading away.
Kaeya was no means a light sleeper.
So in the dead of night, he slipped out of bed.
Grabbed his Vision.
And peeked through his door.
There was an odd box in Master Crepus' hands.
Kaeya never seen it before.
The way his father moved spoke volumes.
Hurried steps.
Tense shoulders.
Wary glances here and there.
It was strange to see him fully dressed.
It was only until Master Crepus disappeared around the corner did Kaeya move.
His bare feet were light against the floorboards.
There were no guards.
No servants at this hour.
When there should be a night staff.
It rose a flag in Kaeya's mind as he looked through the railing.
Down to the first floor.
Where his father disappeared.
Right down another hall and out of sight.
Kaeya felt his stomach drop.
And his blood ran cold.
A sense of urgency pushed Kaeya to his feet.
Kaeya wanted to believe in Master Crepus.
Just as Master Crepus had trusted him.
He didn't run down the stairs.
He leapt from the railing.
After all, he was a knight.
He could handle his landing.
Kaeya followed his father.
Only to hear his horse neigh.
In the wake of another's gallop.
Down the cobble path.
Kaeya didn't think twice.
Still dressed in his nightclothes.
Still reeled over the strangeness of the night.
He only stopped to grab a spare coat.
Slipped on someone's riding boots.
And rode his horse barebacked.
Down the cobbled path.
Past the dumbfounded Knights.
And crossed the bridge of Mondstadt.
In the dead of night.
Kaeya knew better than anyone.
That time never waited on anyone.
._._._._._.
Master Crepus was an honest man.
The box in his hands was his evidence.
He was true of his feelings towards his sons.
Of the care and love he had for them both.
Of how he grieved so deeply for Diluc.
Of how he held on to Kaeya.
They were his children.
And he would do absolutely anything for them.
Master Crepus wanted to be an honest man.
The box in his hands was his evidence.
He wanted the best for his sons.
Wanted the best for Diluc.
He was so afraid.
Afraid that Diluc would never become a knight.
Never obtain a Vision.
Never cared and treasured by his own people.
He was afraid of Diluc being alone.
So when he found that child in the pouring rain—
He was a little less afraid.
But that didn't stop him from his actions.
Master Crepus sincerely wanted to be the honest man.
The box in his hands was his evidence.
He had his ways to ensure Diluc's future.
A failsafe that was left unused.
Null, now that his precious son was gone.
It crossed his mind once.
Twice.
Three times to give that plan to Kaeya.
Because he was a father that loved, and loved, and loved.
But it was useless in the face of a real Vision.
So when Kaeya came to him.
And spoke the truth.
Told him everything.
Master Crepus made a final decision.
His gift to Diluc—
His gift to Kaeya—
Was no longer needed.
No longer necessary.
In the dead of the night.
The Dawn Winery's owner slipped out of Mondstadt.
And rode to Starsnatch Cliff.
.
.
._._._._.
Ajax was right.
Both of them messed up.
He should've seen it.
Should've known it.
The Abyss wasn't kind.
It was never kind.
If it wanted something, it wanted something.
Diluc should've spoken sooner.
Should've told him everything.
Ajax could've helped.
How?
Hell if he knew.
But he could've done something—
Anything.
Diluc was stubborn.
But so was Ajax.
Which is why he made a decision for the Firefly.
"I'm taking Diluc with me."
There was a dead silence from his father.
Who looked at Ajax with a rather complicated expression.
Ajax knew how much Father wanted to say no.
To just give them more time.
That whatever plagued the Firefly would fade away.
That they could handle it.
But Ajax knew how much of a lie that would be.
They were running out of time.
The Abyss was never kind.
The faint coughs down the hall pushed Ajax's silent argument.
Father looked pained then.
Over what, Ajax didn't know.
"She can help him."
The Tsaritsa, he didn't say.
He knew her.
He admired her for her strength.
Her dedication.
Her drive.
Her pure and honest gaze.
Cold and heartless.
Surely, she could do something.
Anything.
"Just let me take him to her."
Father looked at him.
Really looked at him.
Boring his own gaze into his son.
Until he finally, finally gave in.
.
"Go."
.
._._._._._.
Diluc was a little overwhelmed.
Even as Teucer gave him a bear hug.
("I'll miss you, Big Brother Diluc!"
"I'll miss you, too, Teucer.")
Even as Father patted him on the head like his own child.
("Come home safely, little Firefly."
"I promise I will.")
Even as Tonia checked and double checked that he was well packed.
("I'm telling you— you're going to need this, and this, and—"
"I think we're good, Tonia.")
Even as Anthon was running his mouth a mile about taking care of themselves.
("Don't forget! Never under any circumstance should you just stand there— always move."
"At this rate, I'd never be able to.")
Even as Mother secured Diluc's long crimson locks under the soft red scarf she created just for him.
("Are you warm enough? Not too tight? Or is it too loose? Oh, I should've made an extra layer to thicken it…"
"Mother, I'm fine. But thank you, and it's lovely.")
Ajax smiled like an utter fool.
Genuinely enjoying the attention Diluc had stolen from his family.
It certainly wasn't Diluc's idea to leave.
In fact, he didn't feel all that great.
Traveling now was probably the most foolish thing to do.
When Ajax asked Diluc to come with him.
To Zapolyarny Palace.
The look in Ajax's cerulean eyes were honest, pure, genuine.
Diluc could do nothing to refuse.
It took them hours to finally leave.
Diluc could still hear Teucer bellowing his farewells from three streets away.
The tiny boy had a very strong set of lungs.
Diluc only turned around once they were about a mile away from Morepesok.
It was a small town.
Covered in frost.
But it held a warm family.
One that took him in without question.
"Are we coming back here?"
Ajax wrapped an arm around Diluc's waist.
Forced him back on track and guided his steps.
The smile on his face was honest as always, "Of course!"
Then it faded into a set frown.
"Just after we figure out what the hell the Abyss did to you."
At the rough, frustrated tone in his voice, Diluc couldn't help but splutter.
It was a stifling laugh.
Probably choked on some incoming coughing fit.
Which thankfully didn't happen again.
But Diluc still leaned into Ajax's hold.
Who stayed strong and supportive.
Took step after step with him.
It was strange.
To have someone to lean on again.
Someone that wasn't Kaeya.
Or his father.
Or even Jean.
It was funny, really.
To the point where Diluc even smiled.
"One day," he told Ajax, "I'll take you to see my family."
Ajax laughed then.
So loud and clear in the crisp, snowy air.
.
.
"It's a promise, Firefly."
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