Chapter Two
The sky had clouded over by the time Kaeya reached the outskirts of the Dawn Winery, and he shivered against the chill in the air. He fluffed the collar of his cape and drew it closer around his neck. I should've brought my winter coat. Every year, he waited far too long before reluctantly setting aside the light cape that his brother had made for him. I'm certainly going to regret my ridiculous sentimentality on the walk back tonight, he thought, his mouth quirking wryly. He wrinkled his nose to see if it was totally numb yet.
He paused when he reached the stoop of the mansion. The knight was never quite sure anymore if he was supposed to knock, or just walk straight into his former home. His half-gloved hand hovered awkwardly over the door for a moment.
Abruptly the door was yanked open. "Don't let all the cold air in," the tall redhead said flatly.
Kaeya fell into his habitual smirk, following Diluc into the mansion. "My, my, is the Winery understaffed these days? It's not like you to be answering the door with your own esteemed hand." He closed the door behind him, making sure to latch it securely.
His brother huffed. "No, I just saw you meandering through the vineyard, taking your sweet time. You do know there's no grapes there at this time of year, right?"
"Mm, I do seem to recall something of that sort," Kaeya said with false thoughtfulness. His teasing was undermined by the deep shiver that ran down his spine and both arms. He crossed his arms and tucked his hands close to his torso, trying to warm them. By this point, he was seriously regretting his usual fingerless gloves.
Diluc never turned to look at him, but he scooped up a blanket and pointed to a chair near the fireplace. "Sit."
Gratefully, the knight dropped into the chair and stretched his hands out to the welcome heat. A moment later, the blanket settled around his shoulders, radiating warmth. He inhaled sharply as the sensation sank into his bones, and he fingered the edge of the blanket. "Do you keep hot blankets at the ready for every wanderer that stumbles into the mansion at this time of year?"
"Of course not." Diluc stared into the fire, his arms crossed and boots braced. "I told you, I saw you from my study nearly a quarter of an hour ago." He tossed a narrow glance at his brother. "Why aren't you wearing something warmer?"
Kaeya shrugged, burrowing into the depths of the blanket. "I keep forgetting to swap my cape out for the winter." He noticed a steaming mug on the table next to him and leaned over, lively curiosity making him investigate. Sure enough, the contents gave off the familiar spicy scent of his favorite cider. Humming in appreciation, he picked it up and sipped. Not sure if this was meant for me or not, but I'm commandeering it now.
The tall redhead finally seated himself in the opposite chair, eying Kaeya. "So what brings you all the way out here on your day off?" He crossed one leg over his other knee and leaned back in his chair.
Kaeya rubbed the tip of his nose, pleased that the icy feeling was wearing off. His fingers were beginning to prickle with that uncomfortable thawing sensation, but he sighed happily and wrapped his hands around the mug of cider. "Can't I come visit my favorite brother once in a while?"
"Not this one. Not usually," Diluc said dryly.
Just then, Adalinde's pleased tones interrupted them. "Welcome, Master Kaeya! It's been far too long since your last visit!" She slid a plate of hot food off a serving platter and onto the side table, giving the knight a motherly smile.
"Adalinde, 'tis a pleasure to see you, as always! Ah, the food smells marvelous, but I wasn't planning on staying," Kaeya said, thanking her with a grin.
"Nonsense! You're not running off back into that chilly weather without a warm meal inside you! I'm only sorry that it's not your favorite meal… I still haven't quite gotten up the determination to cook outside in the middle of winter…" Adalinde tucked the platter against her apron with an apologetic look.
Kaeya laughed. "No one expects you to, Adalinde. This is fine, thank you very much!"
She beamed at him, reaching out to tousle his dark hair before taking her leave.
After she left, Kaeya poked at the food, sneaking a glance at his brother out of the corner of his eye. He tried to gauge Diluc's current tolerance level. Maybe it's best to skip the meal… I'm not here to dredge up a fight by accident or purpose. "I really didn't mean to stay for dinner, Diluc."
His brother gave him a slight smile. "I know. Now eat up." He waited for Kaeya to take a few bites before asking, "So are you going to explain?"
Instead of responding, Kaeya produced Venti's music and held it out. "Here, look this over." He took another bite, watching Diluc's crimson eyes flit across the notes with interest. Slim gloved fingers tapped lightly against the Pyro user's knee to the beat of the unheard music as he read it. The greatroom was silent aside from the chipper crackle of the flames and the soft rustle of parchment.
Finally the redhead looked up from the last page. "This is quite good. Where did you get this?" His fingers lingered on the last few measures, and Kaeya caught a glimpse of the part of Diluc that held an ethereal musician's spirit; a piece of him that was far too long dormant.
"You don't think I could compose something so beautiful? Please, I'm wounded to the core," Kaeya teased. As his brother rolled his eyes in exasperation, he added more seriously, "It's a favor for a friend. Venti needs someone to take the second part, and I thought of you."
Diluc tossed the pages gently on the table beside him. "No. I don't play anymore. It's been years since I even touched it."
"You're still the best I know," Kaeya said gently. "I've heard you play, Diluc. And this isn't for me. It's for Venti."
Diluc cut his gaze back to him with a hint of amusement. "And that's supposed to encourage me?"
Kaeya considered his next bite for a long moment, then set the fork back on the plate with a tiny clink. "It's sentimental for him. A very old friend wrote it to play together, but Venti lost his friend before they were able to do so. He's held onto it for a great number of years, but never played it till now." He watched Diluc, seeing his brother's instant comprehension, the unspoken pieces snapping together almost as fast as they had done for Kaeya. A dark gloved hand came down and drifted hesitantly across the score. The brilliant crimson eyes were unreadable. Kaeya said softly, "I know you haven't played in years, but you're an incredible musician. And… you better than anyone know the heartache of a lost loved one. This is one way that Venti can honor his friend's sacrifice." He bit his lip, wondering if he'd gone too far. Cautiously he returned to his food, keeping a close eye on his brother.
Diluc didn't answer.
Once his meal was finished, Kaeya stood and shrugged the blanket off his shoulders. "I have to head back to Mondstadt now, so I'll leave the music here with you."
"No, I can't do it. He'll just have to find someone else," Diluc said immediately, picking up the score and tapping it against the table to straighten the sheaf of papers. He held it out, but Kaeya stepped away, holding up his hands defensively and shaking his head.
"Like I said, I'll leave it here with you. Just in case you change your mind." His lips quirked up mockingly. "After all, you never know, do you?"
Diluc snorted. "Don't get your hopes up. It's not happening. And anyways, doesn't Venti need this to learn his half?"
Kaeya was too busy fiddling with the clasp on his cape, trying to figure out if he could get it to draw closer around his throat to block out the winter wind. "Oh, no, he said he already knows it." The cape refused to cooperate. Disgruntled by his lack of success, he dropped his hand from the clasp. "I should really—" He looked up and froze midsentence, gawking.
Impatiently, Diluc shook the thick black coat that he was holding out. "Go on. If you're finished here, then you'd best get going. Dusk comes fast this time of year." He shoved his coat into Kaeya's unresisting arms, then turned away. The weapons harness that hung from his shoulders stood in stark relief to his short-sleeved white shirt; despite the inherent formality, it was still an unusually casual look for the winery heir.
"But… this is yours," Kaeya managed to say, laying a tentative hand on the coat in his arms.
The lean redhead gave him a cool glance over his shoulder. "I have others. I don't want to pick up the slack if you catch a cold on your way back to Mondstadt."
A slow smile curled around Kaeya's mouth. "Of course. Wouldn't want you having to do paperwork."
"Please. The winery already gives me too much paperwork. I wouldn't cover yours. I'd just deal with the fallout." To illustrate his point, he raised his hand, and a flicker of Pyro leaped between Diluc's gloved fingers as he strode away. He called back, "I'll send Dawn with you to make sure you get back safely."
Kaeya laughed softly as he slipped the coat on. Traces of his brother's fiery energy still lingering in the rich fabric, and he blinked swiftly against an odd stinging in his eye. Pff, look at me, getting all emotional over a coat. He shook his head at his ridiculous reaction.
The knight walked to the door, discovering with delight that Diluc's coat held deep, warm pockets. As he buried his fingers into the thick material, he closed his eye with a smile and nearly walked into Adalinde. The housekeeper offered him a small bow as he jumped back before he knocked her over. "Master Kaeya, we really don't see enough of you around here these days." Her brow was furrowed. He offered a light smile and opened his mouth to speak, but she kept talking. "I know that what happened between you and Master Diluc was… traumatic, to say the least. But he truly doesn't think so badly of you now."
Kaeya shot a startled glance behind him, a little worried that his brother was within earshot. But Diluc was gone, leaving him alone with Adalinde. He chuckled, a little uneasy at the suddenly serious conversation. "Well, who could resist my charms, hm?" He struck a proud pose.
But the maid didn't smile. "You don't understand. We had a representative of the Guild here yesterday, and while Master Diluc made sure he was well provided for, I can assure you that the Guild representative did not receive personally heated blankets or his favorite spiced cider. Nor did Master Diluc order a meal prepared as soon as he saw the Guild representative approaching."
Kaeya pulled back slightly, his narrowed gaze scanning the maid's earnest face. "Are you saying… that's what Diluc did when he saw me coming?"
Adalinde's attention dropped to the dark coat nestled snugly around Kaeya's lean frame. "Well, the Guild representative certainly wasn't offered the young Master's favorite coat, either," she said wryly.
Instinctively Kaeya's grip tightened on the coat as he stared back at Adalinde. She fidgeted with the edge of her apron, but finally sighed. "We all miss you, Master Kaeya. I suppose all I'm asking is that you come visit us again soon." She gave him a soft smile, then curtsied and walked away before the astonished knight could respond.
As the Cryo user tugged the door open and let himself out, he barely noticed the chilly air nipping at his cheeks and flurrying through his dark hair. He dug his hands back into the deep pockets and strode away from the Dawn Winery, only turning back once to cast a curious glance at one of the second-story windows. The dim smudge of crimson behind the thick panes made his lips quirk up before he turned away. Hm. I think Venti's song won't get abandoned after all.