// #kaeluc de-aged Diluc fic: angst, fluff, kidfic
Diluc regresses to his 4y/o self because of an accident with leylines/a domain.
From this:
Diluc regresses to his 4y/o self because of an accident with leylines/a domain.
From this:
https://twitter.com/wheystrel/status/1586615230310027264
It wasn't supposed to go like that.
"Diluc!" Kaeya screamed.
Diluc whirled around, his eyes wide with recognition before he succumbed to the heavy fog around him.
Kaeya swore and slammed his hands on the forcefield.
He needed to get to Diluc.
"Diluc!" Kaeya screamed.
Diluc whirled around, his eyes wide with recognition before he succumbed to the heavy fog around him.
Kaeya swore and slammed his hands on the forcefield.
He needed to get to Diluc.
Of course a Hydro Abyss Mage had to appear behind him right then, along with several hilichurls.
He made quick work of them, fuelled by rage. Just before he delivered the killing blow, however, the Abyss Mage cackled.
"It's your fault he's like this!"
Kaeya ran it through.
He made quick work of them, fuelled by rage. Just before he delivered the killing blow, however, the Abyss Mage cackled.
"It's your fault he's like this!"
Kaeya ran it through.
The forcefield deactivated with the Abyss Mage's last breath.
"Diluc!"
Pulling his cape over his nose, he ran towards the lump on the ground.
The fog was dissipating and Kaeya almost cried with relief when he heard coughing.
Thank the Archons—
"Diluc!"
Pulling his cape over his nose, he ran towards the lump on the ground.
The fog was dissipating and Kaeya almost cried with relief when he heard coughing.
Thank the Archons—
"Papa?" A little voice called out before dissolving into harsh coughs.
The fog finally cleared and Kaeya froze.
"Diluc?"
A child with a shock of red curls turned to stare at Kaeya, his ruby eyes wide.
"Who are you?" he squeaked, his body trembling in the oversized shirt.
The fog finally cleared and Kaeya froze.
"Diluc?"
A child with a shock of red curls turned to stare at Kaeya, his ruby eyes wide.
"Who are you?" he squeaked, his body trembling in the oversized shirt.
The room was empty, save the child and the heap of clothes around him that was the Darknight Hero's.
The child didn't look well. His face was flushed and sweaty, and he looked out of breath.
Was he injured? Kaeya approached him to take a closer look but he shrank back.
The child didn't look well. His face was flushed and sweaty, and he looked out of breath.
Was he injured? Kaeya approached him to take a closer look but he shrank back.
"It's alright, Diluc," Kaeya soothed, kneeling in front of him. "I just need to make sure you aren't hurt."
Kaeya reached out for him slowly, telegraphing his movements. Diluc flinched. He was terrified.
"Who are you?"
Kaeya paused. How could he get young Diluc to trust him?
Kaeya reached out for him slowly, telegraphing his movements. Diluc flinched. He was terrified.
"Who are you?"
Kaeya paused. How could he get young Diluc to trust him?
Of course!
"I'm a Knight of Favonius," Kaeya replied with a smile. "Do you know what the knights do?"
"Help people?"
"That's right. And I'm here to help you." Kaeya put a hand on his forehead and Diluc leaned into his hand. He was burning up.
"I'm a Knight of Favonius," Kaeya replied with a smile. "Do you know what the knights do?"
"Help people?"
"That's right. And I'm here to help you." Kaeya put a hand on his forehead and Diluc leaned into his hand. He was burning up.
"Are you hurting anywhere?" Kaeya asked, trying to roll his overlong sleeves up. The shirt was the only thing that stayed on his tiny frame.
Diluc shook his head, red curls bouncing.
Kaeya scanned the room. They were alone, for now.
"Can you stand?"
Diluc shook his head, red curls bouncing.
Kaeya scanned the room. They were alone, for now.
"Can you stand?"
Diluc got up on trembling legs. He must be exhausted. Kaeya scooped him up and set him on his hip.
"It's alright, I got you."
Diluc's lower lip wobbled and fat tears rolled down his ruddy cheeks.
"What's wrong?" Kaeya asked gently.
"Papa," he whimpered. "Where's my Papa?"
"It's alright, I got you."
Diluc's lower lip wobbled and fat tears rolled down his ruddy cheeks.
"What's wrong?" Kaeya asked gently.
"Papa," he whimpered. "Where's my Papa?"
Kaeya's heart sank. What would he tell him?
He heard the tell-tale hitch of breath indicating an impending meltdown—one they could not afford until they were in the clear.
"He's in Sumeru for business." Kaeya felt bile rise in his throat.
"When will he be back?"
He heard the tell-tale hitch of breath indicating an impending meltdown—one they could not afford until they were in the clear.
"He's in Sumeru for business." Kaeya felt bile rise in his throat.
"When will he be back?"
The hopeful lilt in Diluc's voice made Kaeya's chest ache. "I'm not sure."
Diluc deflated and Kaeya hugged him close.
"Let's get you home," he whispered. "We're going to sneak out of here, so I need you to be very quiet. Can you do that?"
Diluc nodded against his neck.
Diluc deflated and Kaeya hugged him close.
"Let's get you home," he whispered. "We're going to sneak out of here, so I need you to be very quiet. Can you do that?"
Diluc nodded against his neck.
He heard the tiniest hiccough and felt Diluc bury his face in his shoulder. He was trying so hard.
"I've got you," Kaeya murmured, stroking his hair. "Be brave, my little knight."
"Be brave," Diluc echoed, his voice watery.
Kaeya hushed him gently before setting out.
"I've got you," Kaeya murmured, stroking his hair. "Be brave, my little knight."
"Be brave," Diluc echoed, his voice watery.
Kaeya hushed him gently before setting out.
// pause for now! life beckons. thank you for reading!
to the top:
to the top:
https://twitter.com/wheystrel/status/1587041742435815426
Kaeya was at his wit's end. Nothing he saw in the domain seemed to suggest age-regression or time-play.
But Diluc was now the size of a young child, clinging to him just like he used to when he got scared. He clearly did not recognise Kaeya, and he was calling for his father.
But Diluc was now the size of a young child, clinging to him just like he used to when he got scared. He clearly did not recognise Kaeya, and he was calling for his father.
The very one he himself had put an end to four years ago.
Kaeya knew a part of Diluc had died on his eighteenth birthday. This Diluc, however, was still whole.
Innocent.
He had hope that his father would return.
He trusted a stranger's word when he said he'd help.
Kaeya knew a part of Diluc had died on his eighteenth birthday. This Diluc, however, was still whole.
Innocent.
He had hope that his father would return.
He trusted a stranger's word when he said he'd help.
He could not be older than four.
Diluc flinched at every draft that came their way, his tiny fists buried in the fur of his cape, but he didn't make a sound.
"You're doing so well, my brave little knight," Kaeya murmured into his hair.
Diluc flinched at every draft that came their way, his tiny fists buried in the fur of his cape, but he didn't make a sound.
"You're doing so well, my brave little knight," Kaeya murmured into his hair.
They made it out uninterrupted, and when Kaeya was sure they were in the clear, he stopped under a tree.
"We safe now, little knight. You were so brave."
He looked down at his charge, his eyes still squeezed shut as he clung to Kaeya
"We safe now, little knight. You were so brave."
He looked down at his charge, his eyes still squeezed shut as he clung to Kaeya
Diluc's breath came in hot shallow puffs against Kaeya's neck. The little arms around his neck were far too warm.
Kaeya adjusted his grip, tugging off his cape and wrapping it around the feverish boy.
Diluc fussed, his face reddened as tears gathered at the corners of his eyes.
Kaeya adjusted his grip, tugging off his cape and wrapping it around the feverish boy.
Diluc fussed, his face reddened as tears gathered at the corners of his eyes.
"Don't go," he whimpered. "Papa, don't leave me here."
It was the fever talking. But had he always feared being left behind?
He recalled how lonely Diluc had seemed when they first met. How he was afraid of being "too much".
Kaeya wiped away his tears and gathered him close.
It was the fever talking. But had he always feared being left behind?
He recalled how lonely Diluc had seemed when they first met. How he was afraid of being "too much".
Kaeya wiped away his tears and gathered him close.
With one cool hand on his forehead, he rocked Diluc back and forth, humming an old lullaby Crepus used to sing.
"Sleep, Diluc," he whispered. "I've got you."
When Diluc finally fell asleep, he made his way to the Dawn Winery, precious cargo cradled in his arms.
"Sleep, Diluc," he whispered. "I've got you."
When Diluc finally fell asleep, he made his way to the Dawn Winery, precious cargo cradled in his arms.
Adelinde took one look at the sleeping Diluc in Kaeya's arms and hurried them inside.
"He's running a fever. Domain seems to have turned him into a child. He has the mentality of a child too and no memories of his older self."
Adelinde extricated him from Kaeya's arms.
"He's running a fever. Domain seems to have turned him into a child. He has the mentality of a child too and no memories of his older self."
Adelinde extricated him from Kaeya's arms.
"He was looking for Crepus."
Adelinde winced.
"I told him he was in Sumeru for business." Kaeya chewed on his lip, staring at the wood grain. He couldn't meet Adelinde's eyes.
"Good."
Kaeya exhaled, his shoulders sagging. "I'll go get the Deaconness."
Adelinde winced.
"I told him he was in Sumeru for business." Kaeya chewed on his lip, staring at the wood grain. He couldn't meet Adelinde's eyes.
"Good."
Kaeya exhaled, his shoulders sagging. "I'll go get the Deaconness."
Once Barbara had ascertained that there was no harm to Diluc beyond a mild infection and the de-aging, Kaeya escorted her back to the Church.
"I never realised just how cute Master Diluc was as a child," Barbara remarked.
Kaeya chuckled, and a part of him glowed with pride.
"I never realised just how cute Master Diluc was as a child," Barbara remarked.
Kaeya chuckled, and a part of him glowed with pride.
What an odd feeling. As if he had any right to be proud of Diluc as he were his child. How presumptuous.
"Cute as a button, and sweeter than sugar," Kaeya sighed.
That Diluc had been forced to grow up too early and toughen up was left unsaid between the two of them.
"Cute as a button, and sweeter than sugar," Kaeya sighed.
That Diluc had been forced to grow up too early and toughen up was left unsaid between the two of them.
Kaeya wished he could say no to Jean.
Of course she would assign him the role of young Diluc's Keeper at the Dawn Winery.
"You grew up with him."
And we ended up having to dance around each other, Kaeya thought wryly, the feeling of dread growing as he approached the property.
Of course she would assign him the role of young Diluc's Keeper at the Dawn Winery.
"You grew up with him."
And we ended up having to dance around each other, Kaeya thought wryly, the feeling of dread growing as he approached the property.
If Diluc hadn't met him, if he hadn't grown close to Kaeya, he'd never have had to feel the hurt of betrayal from someone he had put his full trust in.
Maybe he wouldn't have had become so jaded.
Maybe he wouldn't have had become so jaded.
If—no, when—Diluc gets back to normal, and if—for whatever reason—he remembered his time as his de-aged self, would he appreciate Kaeya acting as a trustworthy adult figure to his young self?
The desire to protect Diluc's innocence was genuine, just like his feelings all those years ago.
But he can't expect Diluc to believe that, not after the way he crushed Diluc's already broken spirit and broke Diluc's heart that night when he told him the truth about his origins.
But he can't expect Diluc to believe that, not after the way he crushed Diluc's already broken spirit and broke Diluc's heart that night when he told him the truth about his origins.
Maybe he'd take a leaf out of the older Diluc's book, be a little more grumpy-looking and unapproachable.
The thought of Diluc calling /him/ a Weird Grown-up made him chuckle. That could work—
"Sir Knight!"
The thought of Diluc calling /him/ a Weird Grown-up made him chuckle. That could work—
"Sir Knight!"
Kaeya turned just in time to see little Diluc barrel into his legs, bright ruby eyes crinkling as he smiled brightly up at Kaeya.
His resolve crumbled. There was no way he could act sullen in front of sunshine personified.
His resolve crumbled. There was no way he could act sullen in front of sunshine personified.
He had almost forgotten how brightly Diluc had shone, how warm he had been. How earnest and attentive he would become.
"Good morning, young master," Kaeya replied, tousling his hair.
Diluc giggled.
"Addie!" he called, his arms wrapped around Kaeya's legs.
"Good morning, young master," Kaeya replied, tousling his hair.
Diluc giggled.
"Addie!" he called, his arms wrapped around Kaeya's legs.
Kaeya looked up to see Adelinde running towards them.
"He's real! He came back!" Kaeya felt a twinge of sadness at the slight quiver in Diluc's voice. He stroked his hair.
"Of course I'm real. Did you miss me?" Kaeya teased.
"He wouldn't stop talking about you, 'Sir Knight'."
"He's real! He came back!" Kaeya felt a twinge of sadness at the slight quiver in Diluc's voice. He stroked his hair.
"Of course I'm real. Did you miss me?" Kaeya teased.
"He wouldn't stop talking about you, 'Sir Knight'."
"Good morning to you too, Adelinde," Kaeya chuckled. "He seems to be doing well."
"Well enough to bolt out the front door when he saw you walking toward the Winery."
"Sorry Addie," Diluc said meekly, his head bowed.
Adelinde sighed with fond exasperation.
"Well enough to bolt out the front door when he saw you walking toward the Winery."
"Sorry Addie," Diluc said meekly, his head bowed.
Adelinde sighed with fond exasperation.
"I'm sure our guest would like to join us inside."
"Can I show Sir Knight our holiday house?"
"Only after you finish your grape juice."
"What about the lake?"
"Young master," Adelinde laughed. "You have to let go first. He can't go anywhere with you clinging to him."
"…oh."
"Can I show Sir Knight our holiday house?"
"Only after you finish your grape juice."
"What about the lake?"
"Young master," Adelinde laughed. "You have to let go first. He can't go anywhere with you clinging to him."
"…oh."
// pausing here for now.
i want to squeeze little Diluc!! with that babyface in adulthood he must have been cherubic when he was younger.
to the top:
i want to squeeze little Diluc!! with that babyface in adulthood he must have been cherubic when he was younger.
to the top:
https://twitter.com/wheystrel/status/1587041742435815426
"Sir Knight, what's your favourite drink?"
"Guess."
"Hot chocolate?" Kaeya shook his head.
"Grape juice?" Diluc's eyes lit up, his face hopeful.
Kaeya chuckled. "Close, but not quite."
Diluc's brows furrowed.
"Wine?"
"Yup! And I like your family's wine the best."
"Guess."
"Hot chocolate?" Kaeya shook his head.
"Grape juice?" Diluc's eyes lit up, his face hopeful.
Kaeya chuckled. "Close, but not quite."
Diluc's brows furrowed.
"Wine?"
"Yup! And I like your family's wine the best."
Diluc wrinkled his nose in disgust and Kaeya burst out laughing.
"It's not too far from grape juice though," Kaeya teased.
"No. It smells funny," Diluc pouted.
"It's an acquired taste."
"What's that?"
"It means you'll come to like it when you're older."
"No!"
"It's not too far from grape juice though," Kaeya teased.
"No. It smells funny," Diluc pouted.
"It's an acquired taste."
"What's that?"
"It means you'll come to like it when you're older."
"No!"
Diluc harrumphed and folded his arms, turning away from Kaeya, who was fighting the urge to reach over and pinch his chubby cheeks.
"Well, wine is made from grapes," Kaeya reasoned.
"But it smells different. Do you like grape juice, Sir Knight?"
Kaeya raised an eyebrow.
"Well, wine is made from grapes," Kaeya reasoned.
"But it smells different. Do you like grape juice, Sir Knight?"
Kaeya raised an eyebrow.
Where was little Diluc going with this?
"You don't," Diluc gasped, astounded. He shook his head and continued. "Grape juice in barrels gets wine-ier. Even after it becomes wine it gets even more wine-y!" Diluc shudders and Kaeya bites back a smile.
"You don't," Diluc gasped, astounded. He shook his head and continued. "Grape juice in barrels gets wine-ier. Even after it becomes wine it gets even more wine-y!" Diluc shudders and Kaeya bites back a smile.
"But wine never gets grape-ier," Diluc huffs.
And here Kaeya thought he couldn't get any cuter.
"Finish your juice, little knight," Kaeya says, finally giving in to the urge and gently pinching Diluc's cheek. Diluc whines.
"Quick, before it turns into wine!"
And here Kaeya thought he couldn't get any cuter.
"Finish your juice, little knight," Kaeya says, finally giving in to the urge and gently pinching Diluc's cheek. Diluc whines.
"Quick, before it turns into wine!"
Ruby eyes widened. "Are you Papa but secret?" he whispered conspiratorially.
Kaeya's eyebrows disappeared into his hairline. "Well," Kaeya coughs. "I have met him, but I'm certainly not him. Do I look like him?"
"No, but..." Diluc trailed off. He stared at Kaeya.
Kaeya's eyebrows disappeared into his hairline. "Well," Kaeya coughs. "I have met him, but I'm certainly not him. Do I look like him?"
"No, but..." Diluc trailed off. He stared at Kaeya.
"You talk like Papa. You have the same favourite drink as Papa. You know Papa's secret song."
Kaeya had no idea how to respond to that.
"I miss my Papa." Diluc's voice cracked and his little shoulders slumped as he stared at his grape juice.
Kaeya had no idea how to respond to that.
"I miss my Papa." Diluc's voice cracked and his little shoulders slumped as he stared at his grape juice.
"I'm sorry, little knight," Kaeya said as he reached over to pat his head. It probably wasn't the time to fish for information, but Kaeya figured it couldn't hurt to ask. "When did you last see him?"
He figured wrong.
Diluc hummed thoughtfully, then froze. "I don't know."
He figured wrong.
Diluc hummed thoughtfully, then froze. "I don't know."
He looked up at Kaeya with a panicked look on his face. "It feels like long ago but that's wrong! Papa won't go away for so long."
Diluc's head whipped around and he took in his surroundings. He frowned.
"And the holiday house is wrong." Diluc's voice began to shake. "Addie…"
Diluc's head whipped around and he took in his surroundings. He frowned.
"And the holiday house is wrong." Diluc's voice began to shake. "Addie…"
"What's wrong, young master?"
Diluc took a good look at Adelinde.
"You're wrong too," he whispered, shrinking away from her. She looked concerned, but stayed put.
"Everything looks wrong," Diluc whimpered, tears falling from his eyes. His tiny form trembled in his seat.
Diluc took a good look at Adelinde.
"You're wrong too," he whispered, shrinking away from her. She looked concerned, but stayed put.
"Everything looks wrong," Diluc whimpered, tears falling from his eyes. His tiny form trembled in his seat.
"Didn't you spend a whole morning with her?" Kaeya asked gently.
"I didn't know!" Diluc wailed. "Papa, where are you?"
"Young master, he's not here."
"Come back!" Diluc cried, ignoring Adelinde. "Please! I need you!"
Diluc scrambled off the chair to check under the table.
"I didn't know!" Diluc wailed. "Papa, where are you?"
"Young master, he's not here."
"Come back!" Diluc cried, ignoring Adelinde. "Please! I need you!"
Diluc scrambled off the chair to check under the table.
"Papa!" He tore through the main foyer. "You need to help me! Come back!"
"Young master—"
"Papa!" he screamed, running for the door.
Kaeya whisked him into his arms before he could step out onto the porch.
"Let me go!" Diluc screamed, kicking and flailing. "Papa, help me!"
"Young master—"
"Papa!" he screamed, running for the door.
Kaeya whisked him into his arms before he could step out onto the porch.
"Let me go!" Diluc screamed, kicking and flailing. "Papa, help me!"
"Calm down, Diluc. He isn't here but you're safe with us, I promise."
"No! Everything is wrong! Papa will make everything right!"
"He's not here, Diluc." Kaeya said around the lump in his throat. Diluc must have heard the strain in his voice, because he stopped fighting.
"No! Everything is wrong! Papa will make everything right!"
"He's not here, Diluc." Kaeya said around the lump in his throat. Diluc must have heard the strain in his voice, because he stopped fighting.
"I want to go home," he sobbed.
Kaeya's heart broke.
Kaeya knew what it was like to feel abandoned, but he knew it wasn't as drastic a change for him as it was for young Diluc, who only knew the warmth and safety of a tight-knit family and the abundance of high-society life.
Kaeya's heart broke.
Kaeya knew what it was like to feel abandoned, but he knew it wasn't as drastic a change for him as it was for young Diluc, who only knew the warmth and safety of a tight-knit family and the abundance of high-society life.
Diluc had always had the assurance of his father's presence in his life. Crepus was a loving father, and Diluc his pride and joy. He had always made time for family, even after Kaeya joined them. He made sure his children felt safe and loved.
Until he was no longer able.
Until he was no longer able.
Kaeya had dealt with Klee's I-want-Mama meltdowns when she was this age. But unlike Alice, Crepus would never be able to come back for Diluc.
And while Kaeya could lie about Crepus' whereabouts, he drew the line at making an empty promise of his return to Diluc.
And while Kaeya could lie about Crepus' whereabouts, he drew the line at making an empty promise of his return to Diluc.
No one here would be able to reassure Diluc the way he needed, Kaeya realised as he readjusted his hold on the crying child.
And even if "going home" would bring Diluc some peace of mind, Kaeya couldn't do that as Diluc had sold off the Ragnvindr mansion years ago.
And even if "going home" would bring Diluc some peace of mind, Kaeya couldn't do that as Diluc had sold off the Ragnvindr mansion years ago.
Greedy, he chided himself. Look at the trouble a little "information gathering" has brought.
He had no one else to blame for Diluc's inconsolable state.
He had no one else to blame for Diluc's inconsolable state.
// i'm back! sorry i got a little stuck with this.
"I’m so sorry, Diluc.” Kaeya murmured, rubbing his back. I know you're scared, but you're safe with us. Adelinde and I won’t let anything happen to you.”
Diluc's little arms slowly came around Kaeya's neck.
"You promise?" he stuttered. Kaeya stroked his hair.
"I promise."
Diluc's little arms slowly came around Kaeya's neck.
"You promise?" he stuttered. Kaeya stroked his hair.
"I promise."
"And you won't leave?"
Kaeya's breath hitched. "Oh, baby." He nuzzled Diluc's hair.
"I may have to leave the Winery—" he began.
"No!" he yelped. Diluc whimpered and held him tighter. Kaeya could sense the onset of another meltdown.
"Let me finish, Diluc," he chided gently.
Kaeya's breath hitched. "Oh, baby." He nuzzled Diluc's hair.
"I may have to leave the Winery—" he began.
"No!" he yelped. Diluc whimpered and held him tighter. Kaeya could sense the onset of another meltdown.
"Let me finish, Diluc," he chided gently.
"As a knight, it's my duty to protect Mondstadt, remember? And I'll have to leave the Winery to do that. When I'm done, I'll come back."
"I protect Mondstadt too!"
"Of course, little knight," Kaeya replied warmly. "But you need to be safe too."
"You protect me!"
"I protect Mondstadt too!"
"Of course, little knight," Kaeya replied warmly. "But you need to be safe too."
"You protect me!"
"Of course I will, Diluc."
"Then I'll protect Mondstadt for you so you can protect me!"
Kaeya chuckled. "My my, little knight, you drive a hard bargain. But it's dangerous out there and you can get hurt."
"But if I don't go with you, you'll be far away, just like Papa…"
"Then I'll protect Mondstadt for you so you can protect me!"
Kaeya chuckled. "My my, little knight, you drive a hard bargain. But it's dangerous out there and you can get hurt."
"But if I don't go with you, you'll be far away, just like Papa…"
Kaeya cupped his tear-stained cheek, thumbing away tears.
"And if /anything/ happens to you out there, I'd be heartbroken," Kaeya replied.
"Please, Sir Knight!" Diluc's voice cracked and Kaeya faltered. It was a desperate plea not to be left behind—one he knew all too well.
"And if /anything/ happens to you out there, I'd be heartbroken," Kaeya replied.
"Please, Sir Knight!" Diluc's voice cracked and Kaeya faltered. It was a desperate plea not to be left behind—one he knew all too well.
"Diluc," he hesitated. "Do you…trust me?"
Diluc nodded gravely.
"Okay," he breathed. Recovered Diluc would be Future Kaeya's problem. For now, he needed to calm him down. "Well, I trust Adelinde to take good care of you. Will you trust Adelinde too?"
Diluc nodded slowly.
Diluc nodded gravely.
"Okay," he breathed. Recovered Diluc would be Future Kaeya's problem. For now, he needed to calm him down. "Well, I trust Adelinde to take good care of you. Will you trust Adelinde too?"
Diluc nodded slowly.
"So, do you trust me to leave you in Adelinde's care here in the Winery?"
Diluc hesitated, looking towards Adelinde who shot him an encouraging smile.
"But I want to stay with you," he responded, curling into Kaeya's chest and clinging to his lovelock.
Kaeya sighed.
Diluc hesitated, looking towards Adelinde who shot him an encouraging smile.
"But I want to stay with you," he responded, curling into Kaeya's chest and clinging to his lovelock.
Kaeya sighed.
"Sorry for making a mess of things, Adelinde."
"That's alright, Sir Kaeya," she responded, her voice wavering a slightly. "He's a bright boy, he'd have figured it out eventually."
"Addie?"
"Yes, young master?"
"I'm sorry."
Adelinde came close and put a hand on Diluc's back.
"That's alright, Sir Kaeya," she responded, her voice wavering a slightly. "He's a bright boy, he'd have figured it out eventually."
"Addie?"
"Yes, young master?"
"I'm sorry."
Adelinde came close and put a hand on Diluc's back.
"What for, young master?"
"I made you sad," he said, turning away from Kaeya and putting his free hand on her cheek.
"It's alright," she replied with a warm smile, covering his hand with hers. "I'm sorry I scared you."
"S'okay, Addie. Forgive 'Luc?"
"Of course, young master."
"I made you sad," he said, turning away from Kaeya and putting his free hand on her cheek.
"It's alright," she replied with a warm smile, covering his hand with hers. "I'm sorry I scared you."
"S'okay, Addie. Forgive 'Luc?"
"Of course, young master."
Kaeya was floored.
He had known Diluc was observant and an absolute sweetheart, but to be /this/ aware at such a young age?
Kaeya resisted the urge to squeeze him and sent a silent prayer of thanks to Crepus for Diluc's excellent upbringing.
He had known Diluc was observant and an absolute sweetheart, but to be /this/ aware at such a young age?
Kaeya resisted the urge to squeeze him and sent a silent prayer of thanks to Crepus for Diluc's excellent upbringing.
"Young master, I believe our guest has been carrying you for quite some time now. Shall we let him rest?"
Diluc turned to Kaeya, his eyes downcast.
"M'kay."
Kaeya hummed.
"How about we move to the couch? I don't think our little knight is done cuddling just yet."
Diluc turned to Kaeya, his eyes downcast.
"M'kay."
Kaeya hummed.
"How about we move to the couch? I don't think our little knight is done cuddling just yet."
Diluc’s eyes shone and he shot a hopeful look at Adelinde.
“I suppose that won’t hurt, considering the excitement of the morning,” Adelinde sighed. “I’ll get started on lunch then.”
“Thank you, Addie.”
“I’m not the only one you should be thanking,” Adelinde reminded him.
“I suppose that won’t hurt, considering the excitement of the morning,” Adelinde sighed. “I’ll get started on lunch then.”
“Thank you, Addie.”
“I’m not the only one you should be thanking,” Adelinde reminded him.
“Thank you, Sir Knight!” Diluc said, smiling sweetly. Kaeya ruffled his hair.
“Most welcome, little knight.”
“Don’t mess up his hair, you’re not the one who has to tame it everyday!” Adelinde called from the kitchen.
“Whoa!” Diluc whispered. “How did she know?”
“Most welcome, little knight.”
“Don’t mess up his hair, you’re not the one who has to tame it everyday!” Adelinde called from the kitchen.
“Whoa!” Diluc whispered. “How did she know?”
It was an age-old mystery that even Kaeya couldn’t wrap his head around, having been caught red-handed countless times by Adelinde who wasn’t even in the same room when he was caught.
“I haven’t a clue,” he whispered back. “But we’re going to have to be /very/ sneaky from now on.”
Diluc giggled, and Kaeya’s heart swelled.
“Okay!”
Diluc giggled, and Kaeya’s heart swelled.
“Okay!”
—
“Comfy?”
“Mmhmm.”
Diluc was curled up beside Kaeya, leaning against his chest and fiddling with his lovelock. Diluc paused, his eyes widening when he noticed the gentle pulsing shine of Kaeya’s Vision.
“You have a Vision?” he exclaimed.
“Comfy?”
“Mmhmm.”
Diluc was curled up beside Kaeya, leaning against his chest and fiddling with his lovelock. Diluc paused, his eyes widening when he noticed the gentle pulsing shine of Kaeya’s Vision.
“You have a Vision?” he exclaimed.
Diluc clambered across Kaeya’s lap to get a better view of his Vision.
“Indeed, little knight.”
“How did you get it?”
Kaeya smiled at Diluc and sighed. “Y’know, I’m not so sure myself.”
Diluc looked at him quizzically.
“Indeed, little knight.”
“How did you get it?”
Kaeya smiled at Diluc and sighed. “Y’know, I’m not so sure myself.”
Diluc looked at him quizzically.
“But Papa says Visions are given for a reason. The gods give them to people who are worthy of one.”
Kaeya tried hard not to wince.
“You must have done something good then!”
Well, he was honest with the love of his life. A fat lot of good that did for everyone, though.
Kaeya tried hard not to wince.
“You must have done something good then!”
Well, he was honest with the love of his life. A fat lot of good that did for everyone, though.
“Your father didn’t receive a Vision, did he?”
Diluc shook his head.
“Why is that? Is he not a strong man?”
“Papa’s the strongest!”
“Is he not kind?”
“Papa is the kindest!”
“Is he not the best father and the best businessman in Mondstadt?”
Diluc shook his head.
“Why is that? Is he not a strong man?”
“Papa’s the strongest!”
“Is he not kind?”
“Papa is the kindest!”
“Is he not the best father and the best businessman in Mondstadt?”
Diluc shook his head vehemently and Kaeya raised an eyebrow.
“No! He’s the best in the whole world!”
“He is, isn’t he?” Kaeya chuckled. “But no matter how many good things he did, no matter how brave or how wonderful he was, had he received a Vision?”
“No! He’s the best in the whole world!”
“He is, isn’t he?” Kaeya chuckled. “But no matter how many good things he did, no matter how brave or how wonderful he was, had he received a Vision?”
“No,” Diluc whispered, eyes widening. “But maybe he’ll do a /really/ good thing and save Mondstadt! He’d get a Vision then, right?”
Kaeya pictured Diluc crouching over the lifeless body of his father, who had been gravely injured because the Delusion he had been using backfired.
Kaeya pictured Diluc crouching over the lifeless body of his father, who had been gravely injured because the Delusion he had been using backfired.
As honest as he might have been before, he was most definitely not being honest now.
“I’m not sure,” he offered. “I most definitely am not in charge of giving out Visions.”
"Oh." Diluc's face fell.
Kaeya booped his nose. "Let me show you something."
“I’m not sure,” he offered. “I most definitely am not in charge of giving out Visions.”
"Oh." Diluc's face fell.
Kaeya booped his nose. "Let me show you something."
Diluc's eyes widened as a little ice puppy appeared above Kaeya's outstretched palm.
He gasped and reached out to pet it, only to yank his hand back to his chest.
"It's cold!"
Kaeya chuckled. "It's made of ice, since I have a Cryo Vision."
He gasped and reached out to pet it, only to yank his hand back to his chest.
"It's cold!"
Kaeya chuckled. "It's made of ice, since I have a Cryo Vision."
The little puppy hopped out of his palm to lick Diluc on the nose. The boy squealed and put his hands over his nose as it floated back to Kaeya's palm
"It likes you, so it gave you a little kiss," Kaeya teased.
"I like it too," Diluc giggled. "Does it have friends?"
"It likes you, so it gave you a little kiss," Kaeya teased.
"I like it too," Diluc giggled. "Does it have friends?"
Kaeya spent the rest of the morning creating Diluc's menagerie of ice animals until Adelinde called them to the dining table for lunch.
"Addie did you see that?"
"What is it, young master?"
"Sir Knight made ice animals with his Vision! I want to make things with a Vision too!"
"Addie did you see that?"
"What is it, young master?"
"Sir Knight made ice animals with his Vision! I want to make things with a Vision too!"
"How exciting!" Adelinde clapped her hands. "I do have a question, though, young master. Did you learn our guest's real name in the time you spent playing?"
"Um," he looked sheepishly at Kaeya before whispering loud enough for everyone to hear:
"What's your name, Sir Knight?"
"Um," he looked sheepishly at Kaeya before whispering loud enough for everyone to hear:
"What's your name, Sir Knight?"
–
"My name's Diluc, as you've probably already heard. What's yours?"
"Kaeya," he whispered.
"Like the lilies! Kinda. At least that's what I called them when I was smaller. They're pretty!"
Kaeya could only nod, overwhelmed by the presence of one excitable Ragnvindr heir.
–
"My name's Diluc, as you've probably already heard. What's yours?"
"Kaeya," he whispered.
"Like the lilies! Kinda. At least that's what I called them when I was smaller. They're pretty!"
Kaeya could only nod, overwhelmed by the presence of one excitable Ragnvindr heir.
–
"My name is Kaeya."
"Like the lilies?"
"Sort of," Kaeya laughed, though his eyes began to sting. Diluc stared at him before wrapping his little arms around him.
"Sir Kaeya, why are you sad?"
"I'm fine, sweetheart," Kaeya murmured. "I'm just recalling a nice memory."
"Like the lilies?"
"Sort of," Kaeya laughed, though his eyes began to sting. Diluc stared at him before wrapping his little arms around him.
"Sir Kaeya, why are you sad?"
"I'm fine, sweetheart," Kaeya murmured. "I'm just recalling a nice memory."
// new year and a continuation! sorry for the wait and thank you for reading!
"Why do nice memories make you cry?" Diluc asked, patting at Kaeya's cheeks.
"Sometimes, nice memories make you miss people."
"They're not here any more?"
"My, aren't you a curious little knight," Kaeya teased, standing with Diluc in his arms.
"But alas, it's lunchtime!"
"Sometimes, nice memories make you miss people."
"They're not here any more?"
"My, aren't you a curious little knight," Kaeya teased, standing with Diluc in his arms.
"But alas, it's lunchtime!"
Diluc is unable to sit still at lunch, scarfing down his lunch while talking Adelinde's ear off about Sir Kaeya's Ice Animal Show.
"Ang gheng ghere wa' a wawwi'!"
"Very nice, young master, but you'll have to chew and swallow your food before anyone can begin to understand you."
"Ang gheng ghere wa' a wawwi'!"
"Very nice, young master, but you'll have to chew and swallow your food before anyone can begin to understand you."
Diluc's behaviour at the table, reminiscent of the (slightly older) Diluc that Kaeya had looked up to way back when, threw Kaeya in for a loop. He couldn't help being completely taken in by Diluc's (detailed, if not messy) story, his lunch forgotten and fast cooling on his plate.
"Now /that's/ something I haven't seen in a while, Sir Kaeya." Adelinde's teasing voice broke him out of his reverie.
He speared a now-cold potato wedge and put it in his mouth, his face burning as Diluc prattled on unaware, waving his cutlery around like a drunken conductor.
He speared a now-cold potato wedge and put it in his mouth, his face burning as Diluc prattled on unaware, waving his cutlery around like a drunken conductor.
It was while Kaeya was mopping up the last of the sauce on Diluc's fingers that Jean came by for a visit.
"Good afternoon, Lady Gunnhildr," Diluc murmured meekly before he all but hid behind Kaeya's legs.
A strange look crossed Jean's face before she smiled and knelt down.
"Good afternoon, Lady Gunnhildr," Diluc murmured meekly before he all but hid behind Kaeya's legs.
A strange look crossed Jean's face before she smiled and knelt down.
Diluc whimpered and he tugged at Kaeya's pants.
"What's wrong?" Kaeya asked, but Diluc was silent, his eyes trained on Jean.
"Sorry, I'm not the Gunnhildr you're expecting," Jean said gently.
Kaeya bent down and put an arm around Diluc, who all but burrowed into his embrace.
"What's wrong?" Kaeya asked, but Diluc was silent, his eyes trained on Jean.
"Sorry, I'm not the Gunnhildr you're expecting," Jean said gently.
Kaeya bent down and put an arm around Diluc, who all but burrowed into his embrace.
"Remember how Adelinde looks different now from what you remember?"
Diluc nodded.
"This is your friend, Jean."
Diluc clutched at Kaeya's shirt, his lower lip wobbling.
"It's alright, Diluc," Jean soothed. "I look very different now. You must be frightened."
Diluc nodded.
"This is your friend, Jean."
Diluc clutched at Kaeya's shirt, his lower lip wobbling.
"It's alright, Diluc," Jean soothed. "I look very different now. You must be frightened."
Silent tears flowed down Diluc's cheeks and he hurriedly wiped his face with his sleeves, his eyes widening in terror.
"Jean won't scold you for crying," Kaeya reassured him, rubbing his back. "She knows you're trying your best."
"That's right," Jean affirmed, smiling gently.
"Jean won't scold you for crying," Kaeya reassured him, rubbing his back. "She knows you're trying your best."
"That's right," Jean affirmed, smiling gently.
Diluc lets out a sob as he fights to calm himself down, putting his hand in Kaeya's to ground himself.
"Are you really my Jean?" he asked. Kaeya stifled a laugh.
"I am."
"Why are you so big?"
"Er, well—"
"Are you really my Jean?" he asked. Kaeya stifled a laugh.
"I am."
"Why are you so big?"
"Er, well—"
Kaeya snorted, and Diluc giggled softly at the sound before covering his mouth.
"How old are you, Diluc?" Kaeya asked.
Diluc held up four fingers and Kaeya filed that away for later.
"Do you think you're old enough to be the Acting Grand Master?"
"No, that's for grown-ups!"
"How old are you, Diluc?" Kaeya asked.
Diluc held up four fingers and Kaeya filed that away for later.
"Do you think you're old enough to be the Acting Grand Master?"
"No, that's for grown-ups!"
"Indeed. And if Jean's the Acting Grand Master now, that means she's a grown-up. That's why she's so big."
"But...I'm supposed to be bigger than Jean!" Diluc frowned. "Why is everyone so old?"
Kaeya coughed. "Well, maybe you're the one who became young..."
"But...I'm supposed to be bigger than Jean!" Diluc frowned. "Why is everyone so old?"
Kaeya coughed. "Well, maybe you're the one who became young..."
"No," Diluc drawled with a giggle. Kaeya and Jean can't help but smile at him. "Nobody grows younger, only older!"
"That's usually the case, but you were definitely a year older than Jean until yesterday."
Diluc looked thoughtful. "So you were my friend even before yesterday?"
"That's usually the case, but you were definitely a year older than Jean until yesterday."
Diluc looked thoughtful. "So you were my friend even before yesterday?"
Ignoring the dull ache in his chest, he responded.
"Well, the Ragnvindr family is rather prominent, so of course everyone knows how old you are."
Diluc's brows furrowed further. "But you're just like Papa, only a but funnier and with a Vision. You always know what to say."
"Well, the Ragnvindr family is rather prominent, so of course everyone knows how old you are."
Diluc's brows furrowed further. "But you're just like Papa, only a but funnier and with a Vision. You always know what to say."
Kaeya focused on Diluc's little pout and the way his cheeks puffed up. He would not burden him with any more of his tears. Little Diluc did not deserve that. He smiled and raised his hands.
"Okay, okay, you got me. I met you when you were a little older. Your father took me in."
"Okay, okay, you got me. I met you when you were a little older. Your father took me in."
"Like a brother? That's even better!" Diluc cried, throwing his arms around Kaeya's neck. "That's a forever-best friend!"
Kaeya's gut twisted as he hugged him back.
"That's how you know all of Father's sayings!"
"Mmhmm," Kaeya responded, struggling to keep his voice level.
Kaeya's gut twisted as he hugged him back.
"That's how you know all of Father's sayings!"
"Mmhmm," Kaeya responded, struggling to keep his voice level.
"Look, Big Jean, I have a best friend!" Kaeya snorted.
"I believe that's 'Acting Grand Master' to you."
"That's alright, Sir Kaeya," Jean chuckled. "Did you have a good morning with your best friend, Diluc?"
"Yeah! Sir Kaeya made ice animals and we had lunch. I love him!"
"I believe that's 'Acting Grand Master' to you."
"That's alright, Sir Kaeya," Jean chuckled. "Did you have a good morning with your best friend, Diluc?"
"Yeah! Sir Kaeya made ice animals and we had lunch. I love him!"
Kaeya almost choked on his spit. "I love you too, kiddo," he managed to say, tapping Diluc on the nose. Diluc giggled and snuggled up to Kaeya.
"He's taken quite a shine to you."
Kaeya stroked his hair. "We had a bit of a scare earlier but we're alright now, hm?"
Diluc nodded.
"He's taken quite a shine to you."
Kaeya stroked his hair. "We had a bit of a scare earlier but we're alright now, hm?"
Diluc nodded.
"I'm glad. Diluc," Jean turned her attention to him. "Will you come with me to the Knights of Favonius HQ? Our Chief Alchemist needs you to come in for a check-up."
Diluc's arms tightened around Kaeya.
"It's okay," he soothed. "I'm coming with you. I work there, remember?"
Diluc's arms tightened around Kaeya.
"It's okay," he soothed. "I'm coming with you. I work there, remember?"
Getting Diluc to HQ was tricky.
"I can't see anything out of this hood," he whined.
"You'll get a chance to later."
"It's itchy."
Kaeya sighed. "You agreed to this, remember? And you know why we can't let anyone see you."
"Not even inside Mondstadt?"
"No, not even then."
"I can't see anything out of this hood," he whined.
"You'll get a chance to later."
"It's itchy."
Kaeya sighed. "You agreed to this, remember? And you know why we can't let anyone see you."
"Not even inside Mondstadt?"
"No, not even then."
"What if I wear a hat?"
"You'll be recognised as a Ragnvindr the second anyone catches sight of your hair, and then you and I will be bombarded with questions we can't answer. People might even want to carry you and pinch your adorable little cheeks!"
Diluc sulked.
"You'll be recognised as a Ragnvindr the second anyone catches sight of your hair, and then you and I will be bombarded with questions we can't answer. People might even want to carry you and pinch your adorable little cheeks!"
Diluc sulked.
"You look especially cute when you pout," Kaeya chuckled, before moving the hood away to plant a kiss on Diluc's forehead.
"What if Big Jean distracts everybody and we're extra sneaky?"
"And how is she going to do that?"
"She can…do the Windblume dance?"
Kaeya guffawed.
"What if Big Jean distracts everybody and we're extra sneaky?"
"And how is she going to do that?"
"She can…do the Windblume dance?"
Kaeya guffawed.
Diluc scowled.
"Diluc," Jean said, stifling a laugh. "I appreciate the many suggestions you've given us. However, I think Sir Kaeya's plan is the easiest for us to go with."
"But this cloak is too long," he groaned, lifting up his overlong sleeve-covered hands and swaying.
"Diluc," Jean said, stifling a laugh. "I appreciate the many suggestions you've given us. However, I think Sir Kaeya's plan is the easiest for us to go with."
"But this cloak is too long," he groaned, lifting up his overlong sleeve-covered hands and swaying.
"Good, it covers more of you," Kaeya said, setting Diluc on his hip.
Diluc folded his arms over his chest.
"We'll get you out of this view-blocking, itchy, oversized cloak when we're in Sir Albedo's lab, okay?"
"M'kay."
Kaeya pulled the hood back over his head.
"Good boy."
Diluc folded his arms over his chest.
"We'll get you out of this view-blocking, itchy, oversized cloak when we're in Sir Albedo's lab, okay?"
"M'kay."
Kaeya pulled the hood back over his head.
"Good boy."
// pausing here! thank you for reading 🤍
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