Chapter Three

The next few days were busy, and Kaeya didn't see either Venti or Diluc. But then he finished his work early the night before the gala, and with nothing to do, he stood outside the Knights' Headquarters and drew Diluc's coat close. Part of him wanted to make sure that Noelle had the preparations going according to schedule, but his boots turned away from the plaza of their own accord. He made his way down the steps and through the winding streets, offering quiet greetings to everyone he passed.

Lanterns were just beginning to be lit, throwing warm shadows across the cobblestones. People were hurrying to finish their shopping before the shops closed for the night. But to his surprise, the tavern was already closing when he arrived. The bartender had just stepped outside to lock the door as Kaeya walked up.

"Oh? Closing so soon, Charles?"

Charles freed the key from the door and turned. "Ah, Master Kaeya! Yes indeed, with the gala tomorrow, Master Diluc wanted to make sure that we're well-stocked and well-rested. We're taking an early night, and there should be a fresh shipment arriving in the morning."

Kaeya nodded, leaning his hip against one of the outdoor tables and crossing his arms. "And Master Diluc? I assume he's already headed home?"

"No sir. He's staying to take inventory of our remaining stock," Charles explained.

"I see. Well, carry on, then! We can't have you exhausted tomorrow. How would I get my Death After Noon?" Kaeya said lightly.

Charles laughed. "I'm sure Master Diluc would be more than happy to monitor your drinks, Master Kaeya." He waved a farewell and left. "Goodnight, Master Kaeya!"

Once he was gone, Kaeya let his cheerful smile fade. He stood there against the table for a long moment, considering the tavern thoughtfully. Finally, his eye darted across the nearby streets, and with a rustle of cloth, he slipped behind the tavern. It was the work of a moment to scale the half-timbered wall and reach the balcony up above. A key glinted in the lanternlight for a moment, and then he opened the door with a quiet click.

The knight stepped inside without a sound, his whole body tense. He let the door drift close without latching, and approached the inner balcony railing on silent boots.

Below him, Diluc stood with a quill and paper, running an inventory check. Kaeya let out a quietly annoyed huff. Really? I'm not putting off my bedtime for a checklist, Diluc. C'mon, I know you have more interesting things to do. Sure enough, as his brother reached the end of the list, his movements slowed. Carefully the tall redhead set both items on the counter, then folded his arms and stood for a moment, frowning in contemplation.

Kaeya held his breath.

Diluc shifted at long last, reaching into his pocket dimension to produce out a narrow instrument case. Kaeya let out his breath softly. But his brother only set the case on the counter as well, then simply stood there considering it for another long moment with his hands resting on the ends. Eventually his hesitant fingers started undoing the clasps. He flipped the case open, and Kaeya found himself looking directly down at the rich red wood of a violin. He drew in a sharp breath in unison with Diluc, and leaned forward to get a better look. Diluc's hands trembled as he touched the smooth wood. Even from the awkward angle in the loft, Kaeya saw pain dart across his face for an instant, and the silent knight bit his lip. I know he used to play together with Father… is this too much? Can he handle this? I can't lose him again…

But below him, the former knight's hands had fallen into practiced motions, each move sure and steady. He tightened the bow, then produced a small square of rosin, running it up and down the horsehair strands in the exact pattern that Kaeya remembered from years past. The redhead slipped the instrument itself free from its bindings, plucking experimentally at the strings high on the neck. Discordant twangs broke the relative peace, and Kaeya winced.

Diluc made an annoyed sound in the back of his throat and set the instrument back in the case. For a moment Kaeya was afraid he'd given up at the horrible sound, but a moment later, a glove fell to one of the barstools. The second followed it quickly, and Diluc lifted the violin again. He took a seat, totally absorbed in his task. Kaeya watched as his brother rested the body of the violin upright on his knee, leaning the slender neck against his chest and tuning it with deft precision. It took longer than Kaeya had remembered, but then again, the instrument was dreadfully out of tune.

At last the former knight gave a satisfied nod, then lifted the violin and set the red wood against his shoulder, cradling it to his chin. He picked up the bow.

Kaeya's grip tightened on the railing, and he leaned out further against his better instincts, eye locked on his oblivious brother.

Fine, slender fingers rested on the strings with old familiarity, and Diluc took a deep breath, closing his eyes. First came one long note, then the quick flutter of arpeggios, up and down and over again. Kaeya's body relaxed as the melody eventually wove from simple exercises to the favorite song of their father. The rich, deep notes nearly broke Kaeya's heart. It wasn't flawless; there were hiccups and a few places where the bow caught on the strings or Diluc's fingertips didn't quite land right. But the song flowed on.

Diluc's ever-present wariness left him, and he swayed in time with the music, his lean frame dipping and shifting along with the fiercely noble melody. It was just as Kaeya had remembered; Diluc played with his whole heart and body. Quietly Kaeya sat down, turning to rest against the corner post. His head settled against the wood, and he closed his eye and drank in the sound of his brother's music, carrying him back to the days when Father was alive. A tear slipped from his eye, and then another.

One brother regained his peace through the music of the other. Just as always, the two were inextricably linked. Neither realized it, but the bond forged in the years of childhood would never truly fade.

oOo

As Diluc played into the night and Kaeya's heart soaked in the melodies, a slight figure on the roof smiled to himself. You always said that music had the power to heal, my old friend. The bard lingered a moment longer, listening to the clear notes that drifted through the lightly-closed door. Then he leapt from the shingled rooftop, his cape fluttering as the wind obeyed his silent command and lifted him into the skies. Kaeya held up his promise. Time for me to make sure I keep mine. I believe there's an old song that's calling my name this fair night.

Venessa's tree was the silent witness to the sounds of Venti's lyre from dusk till dawn.