Prompt: Play fight - Duel
Welcome! I'll be writing each day of the prompts. I love these two with my whole heart, and I desperately need more interactions between them. Please let them hug.
Without a doubt, Diluc was always the more dramatic of the brothers. Kaeya had his moments, but with Diluc, it was consistent. At least, ever since Kaeya had known him. This was one such moment where Diluc was highlighting this.
"Master Diluc, it's not a real duel. It's just a skit that has already been choreographed." Kaeya was beginning to get frustrated with him.
"I still refuse. Perhaps the Knights should have considered having one of their own waste their time on this instead of trying to loop me into this," Diluc huffed as he turned away from Kaeya. They were currently the only two left in Angel's Share, as it had closed for the night.
"No one else could possibly memorize the routine and also perform it in a way that looks natural," Kaeya tried to reason. Diluc sighed and set the mug he was drying down on the counter in front of him, still facing away from Kaeya.
"I refuse to hold a blade to you again, Kaeya. I can't risk hurting you again," Diluc said earnestly. Kaeya froze. He wasn't expecting Diluc to say that.
"I deserved it. It's fine." Kaeya didn't even realize he had replied until Diluc sat down next to him and turned Kaeya's stool to face him. Kaeya looked up at his former brother's face and saw something in the redhead's eyes he hadn't seen in a long time. He couldn't put a finger on what it was though.
"Kae, you never deserved that. I know I haven't actually told you, but I am so sorry for everything. I almost killed you, and for what? Something you couldn't control? You didn't choose to be another piece in a revenge plan from a dead nation. You were a child. You just tried to stay alive," Diluc paused, shaking his head. "You are a lot of things, Kaeya. But a traitor has never been one of those."
He didn't realize that he was crying until Diluc brought him into a tight hug.
"I want you to know that every night after Father brought you home, I thanked the archons for the little brother that was given to me. I've never stopped."
-Many years ago-
Diluc wanted to be a Knight because his father would be proud of him if he became a Knight. Kaeya wanted to be a Knight because Diluc wanted to be a Knight. Crepus just wanted his sons to be happy. Adalinde wished for her boys to be safe… And not pretend to be Knights in the house.
"Young Master Diluc, I have said many times, no swords in the house!" Adalinde scolded the rambunctious redhead.
"But Addy, Kaeya and I are Knights! We have to carry our swords so we can fight the bad guys," Diluc tried to argue. He knew he would never win an argument against Adalinde. He was just digging his own grave at this point. If he went too far, he would be banned from having grape juice for a week. That was the worst punishment imaginable!
"Diluc, come back!" Kaeya called from the door to the manor. "There's still Treasure Hoarders to fight! They are taking all the Mora from the merchants!"
Diluc quickly looked between the door and Adalinde, and she shooed him towards the door.
"I guess it is best to go save the merchants. That's what a good Knight would do." Diluc ran out the door after his little brother.
"Addy, Father, help!" Little Kaeya shouted as he ran towards the manor. He was covered head to toe in mud with clear tracks down from his uncovered eye showing he had been crying. Both adults promptly turned their attention to the boy.
"Kaeya, what happened? Where's Diluc?" Crepus asked, suddenly quite concerned. His boys were never too far away from each other.
"Diluc and I were playing Knights, and we were having a duel. But, Diluc got too close to the edge and fell down! I didn't want him to get hurt, I promise," Kaeya cried. Adalinde brought over a wet cloth and wiped the boy's face off.
"Kaeya, it's going to be okay. We all know it was an accident. Can you show me where he is?" Crepus was now very worried. His oldest had fallen from somewhere and he had no idea how he was. Kaeya nodded and pulled him out the door.
Thankfully, Diluc had only taken a small slide down a slope. Unfortunately, he wasn't able to climb out by himself. He sent Kaeya to go get help and panicked the younger boy. Upon getting his oldest un-stuck, Crepus promptly wrapped his arms around both of his boys.
"Please be careful, my sons. I couldn't imagine what I would do if anything ever happened to either of you. Always take care of each other, even if I am not there."
"But Father, you aren't going anywhere," Diluc insisted. Crepus let out a warm laugh and held his sons closer.
"I have no plans to, but when that day comes, you will always have each other."