The two of them sat in silence while the room was soaked with moonlight. Diluc sat across from Kaeya who kept opening and closing his mouth. "I think we need to talk to Zhongli as soon as possible. The thoughts have honestly been really bad lately and it's hard to fight the urges." Kaeya started to rock back and forth a bit and went to chew his nails. Diluc grabbed his hand and pulled him against his chest. "I already emailed Zhongli. We should hear from him in the morning. As for you, I got you. Dain, Xiao, Aether, Adeline, Elzer, and so many others are here for you as well. I know it feels like you're alone, deep in a dark cold hole that looks like there's no way out. That's not the case though, and you don't see it right now. We have lights and are all offering you a hand to help pull you out. You can't see it right now, but we're there." Kaeya curled into Diluc as he finished and started to drift away into a dreamless sleep.
"Good morning, Kaeya and Diluc." Zhongli greeted cheerfully as the two brothers stepped into his office. "Kaeya, would you please tell me about what happened this weekend?" Zhongli asked and handed Kaeya a pop-it causing Diluc to curiously turn his head. "It's a pop-it. It can help with people who need to fidget. It can help reduce anxiety and clear the mind, especially if they get overwhelmed easily." Diluc nodded and Zhongli could tell that he was making a mental note to pick some up. "All I remember..." Kaeya started while popping the pop-it as he spoke "... was my mind spinning and I saw the blade and after that... I couldn't stop myself." Kaeya looked down and focused on the pop-it. "I see... well other than a few incidents it seems like you guys have it handled and have a plan. I think while impatient works well for some, it could be worse for Kaeya's mental state. I will look into having the psychiatrist increase the dosage of his anti-depressants and see if that helps." After Zhongli met up with the two and walked them to Kaeya's program. Diluc pat Kaeya's head before leaving to go to school.
When Kaeya walked into the program he saw Lumine spinning around in one of the chairs. "You out of therapy now?" Lumine turned her head to look at Kaeya who nodded and sat next to her. After a few moments they heard footsteps "My, my what a pleasant surprise." A familiar voice caused the two to look at a tall blue-eyed ginger. "Childe? What are you doing here?" Kaeya asked confused. "My cousin suddenly showed up and caught me doing a few things... that led to me having to join the impatient program... or rather my cousin forced me too... fucking Scaramouche." Childe mumbled the last part so Kaeya could barely hear him but could understand what he was saying and only nodded. The three sat in complete silence until the program ended.
"So, your cousin went to your house after he found out that your parents were not there. Then he went to your room and found our liquor stash, threw it all away and continued his search of your room and found your blades?" Childe nodded at Lumine's summary after he was being cryptic. They all were sitting in the lobby area. Childe was waiting for Scaramouche to finish his volunteer duties, as Kaeya and Lumine were waiting for Diluc to pick them up. "Well comrade, what's up with you moving into Kaeya's?" Childe pestered Lumine as they were waiting before a bag was dropped on Childe's head. "Stop your pointless interrogation. If they wanted to tell you, they would." A new voice joins causing Kaeya and Lumine to look up. "Ow, Scara! That hurt! Also meet my lame-ass cousin, Scaramouche- ow!" Scaramouche pinched Childe with "Language." and started to pull him away. After a moment Scaramouche released him and pushed him in front of him, but softly. "I can't believe that out of everyone, I have to take care of you." They could hear Scaramouche in the distance as they exited.
"Y'know you didn't have to come all the way here. You could have just said that I was fine. What even gave you the right to go into my room! You were only doing a damn check-in. You don't even like me or care for me. Seriously, just go home." Childe said storming off only for Scaramouche to quickly reroute him to his car. "You are a fucking Child, Childe. I cannot leave you alone when I see that in your room. I can lose my job and despite the fact I do not like you, no one deserves to feel like hurting themselves. As for the alcohol, you are underage." After they got into the car Scaramouche adds "Do you think that I would have a day of fucking peace if I ignored it?" After that they rode home in silence with Childe running up to his room as soon as they got home. Scaramouche sighed as he had to answer several texts on his phone in regards to Childe. "Damn"
La Signora: I really hope you're taking good care of Childe. Y'know Auntie won't be happy if she finds out you're mistreating him, it's not going to be pretty. It took everything for me to convince her to stay when you told us.
La Signora: Scara, I can see you're reading my messages. Answer me brat.
La Signora: Scaramouche, answer me.
Scaramouche sighed and smirked as he started to aggressively tap on his phone.
Scaramouche: Will you stop messaging me. If you're concerned, why don't you message that damned brat. Seriously, you all make me go check up on him and take care of him. You know that him and I don't get along, that being said I'm not going to let him hurt himself further, otherwise my career and reputation would be damaged.
La Signora: Seriously Scara? He's our little cousin and all you care about is your reputation? Do you realize how bad that environment is for him, especially if you don't actually care. We all offered to come and our support but you said you have it under control.
La Signora: Wait, is this about your fucking career? Damn it, Scaramouche, he's your damn family, not a fucking trial to your job.
Scaramouche: Shut up, you dumb bitch.
Scaramouche muted her conversation and put his phone down on the coffee table and laid down on the couch with his arm covering his eyes. "Yeah, only after you all refused to see him when he was begging for someone. You don't get to act concerned when you don't even care. You didn't let me go and check on him claiming he was only doing it for attention." He bit his lip out of anger and sat up. He climbed up the stairs and walked into Childe's room. The ginger was asleep facing his now door-less room, courtesy of Scaramouche. The indigo hair man turned and went back downstairs. After a moment he heard his phone go off. There were only two people he had ringtones for. One was Childe, as he was the youngest cousin. Their family had adopted Childe after he had been taken away from his mother. He was allowed to have contact with her and his siblings but for his safety he wasn't allowed to live with them. The other person Scaramouche didn't have muted was "Auntie" the patriarch of their family.
Auntie: Scara, how's Childe?
Scaramouche: Honestly, he could be better. I should have been allowed to come see him sooner. No one actually cared until they found out he was hurting and drinking. Except you and I. Childe needs more support but I don't trust anyone else right now. I know everyone sees me as taking advantage of this situation but that's not true. I just want him to get better so I can go home and beat everyone's asses.
Auntie: Scara, please take care of him from now on. Don't worry about the others, I'll be taking care of them. I'll be on a flight soon to check on you and see him, after all I should be there with you two.
Scaramouche: I think seeing you will help him. Let me know when you'll be flying here.
Auntie: Thank you. I hope I can see you soon.
Scaramouche put his phone down and went into the kitchen. He looked at the empty refrigerator, and the dirty dishes he had been cleaning as he could. He quickly put on an apron and started to clean the dishes.
"Hey Diluc, will you and Dain cook for us tonight?" Lumine asked with stars in her eyes. Diluc glanced at her and at Kaeya and sighed. "I'll talk to Dain once he's off work. We do have to talk about what we should have for dinner, after all." After Diluc said that Dain started to walk down to them. "Unfortunately, I have to go away again. They want me to go away for a month this time, and I can't say no. They literally are making me either do this one, or a three month one." Dain looked ultimately defeated and Diluc tapped his shoulder in understanding. "They'll be okay. I got them." After that Dain went back to his room, which looked more like an office than a bedroom and started to pack. Diluc ruffled Kaeya's blue locks and Lumine's blonde locks before sending them with Aether and Xiao to play a game.
"They're making you leave immediately?" Diluc asked from the doorway of Dain's door. "Unfortunately yes. They want me to meet in person instead of from a webcam for this particular client." Diluc nodded and softly closed the door. "So, I'm guessing one of these clients went happy about not meeting you face to face and took it as an insult?" Dain only nodded while packing his suitcase. "I don't think they planned to hurt the kids but they almost snatched Aether at first... Lumine bit them and they ran." Dain had to withhold a giggle while telling Diluc, who only shook his head fondly with a smile on his face. "Of course she did" Diluc laughed. "I know the kids want to have a barbecue, but this cannot wait anymore. When I come back we'll have one." Diluc nodded and opened the door for Dain when he was finished packing. "Want me to drive you to the airport?" Diluc offered only for Dain to shake his head. "Alright, I'll see you when you come back." They gave each other a hug before they walked over to the kids.
"I have to go on a trip. Lumine, listen to Diluc and Xiao. Aether, listen to Diluc and Xiao. Diluc and Xiao, please take care of them. Kaeya, I don't need to tell you to listen to Diluc but take care of yourself. I'll see you all soon." After that Dain left the manor, Lumine looked miserable. "Lu, you alright?" Kaeya asked the blonde who only nodded but nuzzled into Xiao's shoulder. Xiao pulled her into his arms and stroked her hair. "She'll be alright, she doesn't like it when any of us leave, but especially Dain." Xiao said softly as Lumine was asleep in his arms. "Well it looks like she's gonna take a nap. Wanna take over her player?" Aether offered Diluc who sat next to Kaeya and grabbed the controller. "Get ready, cause I'm a tough player." After a few rounds of Mario-cart, Diluc and Kaeya were tied for first. After a few moments Diluc got the lead and narrowly won. "The heck?" Aether laughed at seeing how close the scores were while he was in fifth place. "I've had to compete with him my whole life, I had to learn a few tricks so I could win sometimes." Kaeya laughed out. After their laughing firs, Lumine woke up and challenged the three to a rematch.
Kaeya's phone was going off nonstop while they were gaming. Kaeya had Xiao take over for him while he checked his phone.
Childe: Kae
Childe: Kaeya!
Childe: Kae, come in!
Childe: Kaeya, please answer your phone.
Childe: C'mon bro, please?
Childe: Damn it, sorry for the spam. Just text me when you can.
Kaeya: Hey, sorry I was gaming with Diluc and the others. Everything alright?
Childe: Yeah, I guess. I just don't know what to do. Do you think I could come over, or stay over?
Kaeya: Let me ask.
Kaeya quickly looked over to Diluc "Hey, best brother in the whole entire world, can Childe please come over?" Diluc looked over and gave Kaeya a look that he knew too well. "I know it's late but like he seems sad or something." Diluc sighed "As long as his cousin says yes, I'm fine with it." Kaeya nodded and went back on his phone.
Kaeya: Diluc said you can come over as long as your cousin gives you permission.
Childe: Alright. Give me a minute.
Childe sighed and went downstairs. "Scara? Where are you?" he called. "What?" A harsh voice called out and the shorter man walked out into the kitchen area. "Umm, can I stay over at Kaeya's? His brother, Lumine's overprotective brothers, and Lumine are there." Scaramouche crossed his arms and looked Childe over. "I'll drive you over. Are you staying over?" Scaramouche sighed. "Let me double-check." Childe says and pulled out his phone.
Childe: Scara said I could and is going to drive me over. Would I be okay to stay over?"
"Hey Diluc, is it okay if Childe stays over? We're all in the program after all." Kaeya said and Diluc looked up. "Childe's in the program? Yes, he can sleepover."
Kaeya: You're good to stay over.
Childe: Cool, I'll be over soon. Scara might wanna talk to Diluc.
Kaeya: Diluc will probably wanna talk to Scara too.
Childe: See you soon.
Kaeya: See you.
Childe sighed and looked at Scaramouche. "I'm good to stay over. They're in the same program so don't worry about picking me up in the morning." Scaramouche grabbed Childe's backpack before the ginger could get to it and quickly filled it with what Childe would need for the night. "Alright. I want a check in before you go to bed, when you wake up, and when you get to the program. Understand?" The elder asked. "Yes sir." After a few moments, Childe was sitting in the car en route to Kaeya's.
The first thing that Childe did after Scaramouche and him were invited inside was giving Kaeya a hug. Scaramouche and Diluc talked for a few moments before the shorter man left. "Childe, remember to check in with me before you go to bed, when you wake up, and when you get to the program." Scaramouche called from over his shoulder to Childe before closing the door behind him. "Hey short stack, it seems you really are staying at Kaeya's place." Childe giggled and avoided Lumine smacking him. "Oh, knock it off you darn giant. Come here and give me a hug" Lumine pulled Childe over the couch causing him to fall on her and knocking them both to the floor. After a moment of shock everyone started to laugh, while Diluc helped them both up. "Childe's staying with me tonight!" Kaeya called out and showed Childe to his room. Diluc followed after them and stood in the doorway crossing his arms. "Both of you get changed and do your bedtime routines. Then bed. Childe, make sure to check in with Scaramouche before you fall asleep." Diluc watched as the two got their pajama's out and Childe ran to the guest bathroom while Kaeya changed in the attached bathroom. Once they were done Childe pulled out his phone.
Childe: I'm going to bed.
Scaramouche: Night brat.
After texting his cousin Childe put down his phone and watched as Diluc was checking Kaeya over. Once Diluc was done, the red-haired patted his head. Kaeya laid down next to Childe and the two quickly fell asleep. Diluc watched both of them for a few moments, softly smiling at Kaeya's soft snores before heading to his own bed and laying down. He quickly knocked out as well.