#Luckae Reverse Coffee-shop AU:
CafeWorker!Kaeya gets transported to Mondstadt in the midst of Genius Invokation TGC fever!
---
The grass is soft. It tickles Kaeya's cheek as he turns his head in his sleep. The scent of mint makes his lashes flutter open.
"...ah-" He's late.
CafeWorker!Kaeya gets transported to Mondstadt in the midst of Genius Invokation TGC fever!
---
The grass is soft. It tickles Kaeya's cheek as he turns his head in his sleep. The scent of mint makes his lashes flutter open.
"...ah-" He's late.
Kaeya's shift started...how long ago? sitting up quickly, the bluenette checked his watch to find that he was running an hour late.
"Hm?" The light blue color in his peripheral makes him pause and he spies- "What is this?"
It smells like mint.
He gets up on one knee.
"Hm?" The light blue color in his peripheral makes him pause and he spies- "What is this?"
It smells like mint.
He gets up on one knee.
Leaning closer, he sniffs--yes, it's mint. A mint...plant? Ah, no, it wasn't the time for this. He stands and...
Kaeya has no idea where he is.
The verdant pastures and cliffs before him are unfamiliar but homely. Idyllic, even. Was he still asleep?
"Now, now..." He was late.
Kaeya has no idea where he is.
The verdant pastures and cliffs before him are unfamiliar but homely. Idyllic, even. Was he still asleep?
"Now, now..." He was late.
There was no time to still be dreaming. He had to get to his part-time job at Diona's cat cafe! Sighing, he tries to slap both cheeks hard.
"Ow!"
"-eh?" A small voice behind him startles Kaeya, he spins around to find...a fairy?
"What are you doing?" A blonde boy asks.
"Ow!"
"-eh?" A small voice behind him startles Kaeya, he spins around to find...a fairy?
"What are you doing?" A blonde boy asks.
Not only wasn't he awake, but now he was seeing strange things.
"Ahh, I'm trying to wake up, you see." he chuckles awkwardly.
"Nhuh, Paimon thinks you've had too much to drink or something." the fairy huffs.
"Drink?" Kaeya then has a thought. "Uh--the cat cafe...do you..."
"Ahh, I'm trying to wake up, you see." he chuckles awkwardly.
"Nhuh, Paimon thinks you've had too much to drink or something." the fairy huffs.
"Drink?" Kaeya then has a thought. "Uh--the cat cafe...do you..."
"...do you mean the Cat's Tail?" the blonde asks.
Kaeya makes a face at the boy's outfit. Doesn't he feel chilly with his mid-drift showing? "I...suppose."
The two exchange a worried look.
"Kaeya, I think you should come with us." The boy insists.
So he follows.
---
Kaeya makes a face at the boy's outfit. Doesn't he feel chilly with his mid-drift showing? "I...suppose."
The two exchange a worried look.
"Kaeya, I think you should come with us." The boy insists.
So he follows.
---
The birch, pine and fruit trees are all fragrant and colorful. The fields smell of more mint and the wild flowers overload Kaeya's senses with hues he hasn't seen before and yet...it feels like he belongs here, somewhat--but not really. It was an odd feeling.
The city is huge.
The city is huge.
Massive walls of stone, medieval and strong. Kaeya couldn't believe his eyes. He felt like a child in one of his fairytale storybooks!
"Ohh..." He sighs in awe as they pass by two armored knights.
"Welcome back Sir Kaeya!" They both gesture in a slicing motion with their arms.
"Ohh..." He sighs in awe as they pass by two armored knights.
"Welcome back Sir Kaeya!" They both gesture in a slicing motion with their arms.
He jumps slightly in surprise. "Excuse me?"
"Sir Kaeya...?" the knight questions. "Why are you dressed like that?"
The fairy tugs on is hoodie. "It's a souvenir from Inazuma! Looks good, doesn't it?!"
Kaeya can only stumble as he's dragged away and into the city. "Hey! Ah-!"
"Sir Kaeya...?" the knight questions. "Why are you dressed like that?"
The fairy tugs on is hoodie. "It's a souvenir from Inazuma! Looks good, doesn't it?!"
Kaeya can only stumble as he's dragged away and into the city. "Hey! Ah-!"
"Stop pulling, now!" Kaeya demands, straightening his favorite autumn hoodie. "You'll stretch the material!"
The boy and fairy stop, again, exchanging looks.
"Kaeya, do you know who that was?" The boy asks.
"...why, no." Kaeya shrugs.
The fairy gasps. "What about us?!"
The boy and fairy stop, again, exchanging looks.
"Kaeya, do you know who that was?" The boy asks.
"...why, no." Kaeya shrugs.
The fairy gasps. "What about us?!"
"Why...no-" He then strikes his palm with a fist as he remembers. "Aren't you one of the new freshmen that visited our cafe with your sister the other day? Mister...Viator, was it?"
Aether looks at Paimon. This was serious. "Come on." He says, tugging on the man's wrist.
Aether looks at Paimon. This was serious. "Come on." He says, tugging on the man's wrist.
When they'd stumbled upon Kaeya in the field, Paimon had it in mind to challenge him to Serious Showdown of Genius Invokation. But now...
"Let's hope Master Diluc is in." Paimon whined.
"Who?" Kaeya blurts out. "Master? What is this?"
They reach Angel's Share.
"Let's hope Master Diluc is in." Paimon whined.
"Who?" Kaeya blurts out. "Master? What is this?"
They reach Angel's Share.
---
The bar is loud and full of joyous ramble and laughter. Kaeya can't help but wince as he's bombarded by the sights and sounds--and the strong scent of alcohol.
"I-I can't be here." He mumbles, trying to step backwards out the door. "I can't-"
"He's here!" The fairy screams.
The bar is loud and full of joyous ramble and laughter. Kaeya can't help but wince as he's bombarded by the sights and sounds--and the strong scent of alcohol.
"I-I can't be here." He mumbles, trying to step backwards out the door. "I can't-"
"He's here!" The fairy screams.
Bright red eyes flash in the sunlight drifting through the wooden slats on the window. Kaeya's starting to struggle to breathe when he spots...a bartender?
Then the smell of wine assaults him. He wretches, doubling over and heaving--he wants to vomit.
"Gha-agh...! Please-!"
Then the smell of wine assaults him. He wretches, doubling over and heaving--he wants to vomit.
"Gha-agh...! Please-!"
The bar goes quiet for a moment. Kaeya can practically feel everyone's gazes on him. He continues to wretch and dry-heave--but he didn't have anything to throw up.
Hot fingers wrap around his arm and he's pulled off the floor he didn't even know he had fallen onto.
Hot fingers wrap around his arm and he's pulled off the floor he didn't even know he had fallen onto.
"Tch-!" It's the bartender.
Kaeya gags as he's lifted up by unexpectedly strong arms, cradled like a child. He's rushed out of the tavern and back into the fresh air.
Immediately, his breathing gets better. "Haa...ugh...th...thank you..."
Red eyes gaze down at him, frightened.
Kaeya gags as he's lifted up by unexpectedly strong arms, cradled like a child. He's rushed out of the tavern and back into the fresh air.
Immediately, his breathing gets better. "Haa...ugh...th...thank you..."
Red eyes gaze down at him, frightened.
"What happened?" The man asks the boy and the fairy.
"We don't know, that's why we brought him here!" she replies.
The boy continues, "We found him on the cliff near Dawn Winery."
"And these clothes?" The man asks, almost angry. "Did someone-"
"N-No...wait..." Kaeya whines.
"We don't know, that's why we brought him here!" she replies.
The boy continues, "We found him on the cliff near Dawn Winery."
"And these clothes?" The man asks, almost angry. "Did someone-"
"N-No...wait..." Kaeya whines.
The bartender gives him a hard look. "...did someone do something to you?"
Kaeya shakes his head. "I'm...just dreaming. This is..."
"He's been acting weird since we found him!" The fairy cries. "Is he going to be okay?!"
"Hm..." The man continues to stare at him intensely.
--
Kaeya shakes his head. "I'm...just dreaming. This is..."
"He's been acting weird since we found him!" The fairy cries. "Is he going to be okay?!"
"Hm..." The man continues to stare at him intensely.
--
Diluc's heart is still pounding. He has no idea what's going on, but the horrible expression on Kaeya's face frightened him beyond words.
"Hm..." He stared into that starry eye he knew so well and yet--
...it was like he didn't know Kaeya at all.
"Kaeya." He says softly.
"Hm..." He stared into that starry eye he knew so well and yet--
...it was like he didn't know Kaeya at all.
"Kaeya." He says softly.
"Hh-yes?" The man in his arms replies; honestly--a little /too/ honestly.
"What do you remember?" Diluc asks, not quite sure just /who/ it is he's talking to.
"I..." the bluenette's voice is meek. "I'm late for work. Diona's going to scold me. But, I can't wake up. I'm...here."
"What do you remember?" Diluc asks, not quite sure just /who/ it is he's talking to.
"I..." the bluenette's voice is meek. "I'm late for work. Diona's going to scold me. But, I can't wake up. I'm...here."
Alice told them stories once before. In the worlds she travelled, sometimes, she would come across people she had met before; and yet, they hadn't met at all. Copies of the same soul--repeated through space and time she said.
"What's your name?" Diluc began to walk.
"Kaeya."
"What's your name?" Diluc began to walk.
"Kaeya."
"Your /full/ name." The red-head sighed.
"Kaeya...Ragnvindr."
Diluc's ears ring and he almost stumbles. "...I see. Do you have family, Kaeya?"
"...put me down."
"No, we need to-"
/"Put me down!"/ Kaeya struggles.
Diluc holds onto him. "Get Diona!" He yells at the other two.
"Kaeya...Ragnvindr."
Diluc's ears ring and he almost stumbles. "...I see. Do you have family, Kaeya?"
"...put me down."
"No, we need to-"
/"Put me down!"/ Kaeya struggles.
Diluc holds onto him. "Get Diona!" He yells at the other two.
---
It's no use. For some reason, this man was incredibly strong! Try as he might, Kaeya couldn't pry himself from the man's arms.
"Gh-ffh-are you a gymrat or something?" He grunts, before finally giving up and going limp.
The man sighs. "Is that some kind of Abyssal creature?"
It's no use. For some reason, this man was incredibly strong! Try as he might, Kaeya couldn't pry himself from the man's arms.
"Gh-ffh-are you a gymrat or something?" He grunts, before finally giving up and going limp.
The man sighs. "Is that some kind of Abyssal creature?"
"What?" What was this guy even saying?! "Anyway, put me down!"
"Don't run." The bartender grunted.
Kaeya bit his lip--he had been planning to run as soon as his feet hit the ground. "...fine."
"I mean it. I'm faster than you." The man warns. "I can catch you."
Kaeya shudders.
"Don't run." The bartender grunted.
Kaeya bit his lip--he had been planning to run as soon as his feet hit the ground. "...fine."
"I mean it. I'm faster than you." The man warns. "I can catch you."
Kaeya shudders.
"So you /are/ going to run." The red-head growls.
"I-I was...but...not anymore. So put me down." Kaeya grumbles.
He's relieved when he's actually allowed back on his own two feet.
"Master Diluc?" Kaeya asks.
And the look on the other man's face is of pure shock.
"I-I was...but...not anymore. So put me down." Kaeya grumbles.
He's relieved when he's actually allowed back on his own two feet.
"Master Diluc?" Kaeya asks.
And the look on the other man's face is of pure shock.
"Uh-..." Kaeya backtracks. "I heard the fairy...she called you 'Master Diluc'. Am I mistaken?"
Diluc shakes his head. "No. You are correct."
"Ah." Kaeya awkwardly nods. "You...know Diona?"
"I do." Diluc replies.
"Oh." Kaeya nods again.
Silence.
Awkward silence.
---
Diluc shakes his head. "No. You are correct."
"Ah." Kaeya awkwardly nods. "You...know Diona?"
"I do." Diluc replies.
"Oh." Kaeya nods again.
Silence.
Awkward silence.
---
Diluc doesn't know what to do now. He had been planning to get Kaeya to Jean to be looked after, but...now that he'd asked the Traveler and Paimon to get Diona, they were stuck waiting.
.At least Kaeya had calmed down.
"Why did you get sick?" Diluc finally asked.
Kaeya winced.
.At least Kaeya had calmed down.
"Why did you get sick?" Diluc finally asked.
Kaeya winced.
"-do you drink?" This time, Diluc took into account the implications of Alice's experiences.
A heavy sigh came from Kaeya.
He reached back and pulled the hood up to hide his expression, clinging onto it with both hands like a child being scolded.
"I used to. A lot. Too much."
A heavy sigh came from Kaeya.
He reached back and pulled the hood up to hide his expression, clinging onto it with both hands like a child being scolded.
"I used to. A lot. Too much."
"I see." Diluc can't stop looking at him.
He seems so...ordinary. Vulnerable. Like the average Mondstadtian, rather than the ever-smirking, quick-witted, silver-tongued, icey-bladed Cavalry Captain facade Diluc had gotten used to.
"Afraid you'll start again?" He asks gently.
He seems so...ordinary. Vulnerable. Like the average Mondstadtian, rather than the ever-smirking, quick-witted, silver-tongued, icey-bladed Cavalry Captain facade Diluc had gotten used to.
"Afraid you'll start again?" He asks gently.
The little kick at a small rock at Kaeya's feet gave Diluc his answer. "No reason to go back. I..."
...why /had/ he started drinking?
Kaeya couldn't remember--but he knows it was because he was in so much /pain/. No, because he was /suffering/...but from /what/?
"Kaeya!"
...why /had/ he started drinking?
Kaeya couldn't remember--but he knows it was because he was in so much /pain/. No, because he was /suffering/...but from /what/?
"Kaeya!"
---
It takes every ounce of Kaeya's self-control to keep from jumping at the sound of his name being called. Especially because he recognizes the voice.
"D-diona..." He smiles awkwardly. "I-...huh?"
Ears. A tail. Diona...had...
"Did that big meanie do something to you?!"
It takes every ounce of Kaeya's self-control to keep from jumping at the sound of his name being called. Especially because he recognizes the voice.
"D-diona..." He smiles awkwardly. "I-...huh?"
Ears. A tail. Diona...had...
"Did that big meanie do something to you?!"
Diluc winced at the accusation. "What?"
Diona's ears flattened. "N-no, I mean-! Uh...look, these two came barging into the Cat's Tail and screaming that you were wrangling Kaeya! So what happened?! Is this still over the Character Card he left behind?!"
Diluc grunted. "No."
Diona's ears flattened. "N-no, I mean-! Uh...look, these two came barging into the Cat's Tail and screaming that you were wrangling Kaeya! So what happened?! Is this still over the Character Card he left behind?!"
Diluc grunted. "No."
Kaeya can't stop staring. Her tail...it...it was moving! Back and forth and back and forth and--
"Nyaa?!" Diona yeowls as Kaeya suddenly grabs her tail and squeezes it.
SCRATCH-!
Three red lines bloom freshly on Kaeya's cheek. "Ah."
"What's the big idea?!" Diona screams.
---
"Nyaa?!" Diona yeowls as Kaeya suddenly grabs her tail and squeezes it.
SCRATCH-!
Three red lines bloom freshly on Kaeya's cheek. "Ah."
"What's the big idea?!" Diona screams.
---
It takes awhile to fill Diona in properly. Fortunately, Aether's explanation overcomes Paimon's panicked rambling. As the two talked to her, Kaeya had been left to Diluc to 'babysit'.
"You look tired." Diluc points out.
Kaeya slumps on the bench, looking utterly miserable.
"You look tired." Diluc points out.
Kaeya slumps on the bench, looking utterly miserable.
They were in the little park between the Adventurer's Guild and Favonius HQ. A favorite spot for Kaeya to meet suspicious people. But he didn't know that right now--Diluc reminded himself.
"I have no idea what's going on." Kaeya sighs sullenly. "Now I've even made Diona mad."
"I have no idea what's going on." Kaeya sighs sullenly. "Now I've even made Diona mad."
Diluc is quiet. He waits, recognizing the familiar way Kaeya always purses his lips slightly as he's thinking, before his mouth opens slightly in the way he always does when he's figured something out.
"...am I dreaming?" Kaeya asks.
"Possibly." Diluc replies. "It depends."
"...am I dreaming?" Kaeya asks.
"Possibly." Diluc replies. "It depends."
"Depends?" Kaeya hums, leaning his head back and looking up at the sky. "...is this a memory?"
Diluc takes a deep breath, thinking. "I'm not sure. For you, maybe. For me--for /us/, this is real. Right now."
Kaeya chuckles. "...that makes sense, for some reason."
Diluc takes a deep breath, thinking. "I'm not sure. For you, maybe. For me--for /us/, this is real. Right now."
Kaeya chuckles. "...that makes sense, for some reason."
"Why do you say so?" Diluc folds his arms, still standing just off to Kaeya's right side.
"I can't remember why I started drinking." Kaeya explains, "But before I went to nap--I know I knew why. So...maybe I'm missing a few memories right now. But you..."
Diluc raises a brow.
"I can't remember why I started drinking." Kaeya explains, "But before I went to nap--I know I knew why. So...maybe I'm missing a few memories right now. But you..."
Diluc raises a brow.
Kaeya smiles at him. "It feels--good? You...normally, I don't like people standing to my right. But for some reason, it feels nice to have you standing in my blind-spot."
It hurts. There's a stabbing pain in Diluc's chest as Kaeya's sweet words grace him.
"Do I know you?"
It hurts. There's a stabbing pain in Diluc's chest as Kaeya's sweet words grace him.
"Do I know you?"
"I know /you/." Diluc replies hastily.
Kaeya chuckles. "I can tell. But I don't really remember who /you're/ supposed to be. Maybe I'll remember when I wake up."
"Maybe." But Diluc isn't sure if he likes the idea.
Then, Kaeya surprises them both. "I came here...for /you/.
---
Kaeya chuckles. "I can tell. But I don't really remember who /you're/ supposed to be. Maybe I'll remember when I wake up."
"Maybe." But Diluc isn't sure if he likes the idea.
Then, Kaeya surprises them both. "I came here...for /you/.
---
Hot hands, hardened eyes, a stiff lip that seemed to have difficulty smiling--all of these things were things that Kaeya disliked in a person. And yet, this 'Master Diluc' felt so...comforting to be around.
"Maybe I'll remember when I wake up." Kaeya chuckles.
"Maybe." A grunt.
"Maybe I'll remember when I wake up." Kaeya chuckles.
"Maybe." A grunt.
The coil in his gut tightens and Kaeya frantically searches his memories. Yet all he finds is the same, nagging, familiar feeling. So...
"I came here," He starts--yes, there had to be a reason he was dreaming like this. "...for /you/."
The coil in his gut releases. He's right.
"I came here," He starts--yes, there had to be a reason he was dreaming like this. "...for /you/."
The coil in his gut releases. He's right.
The way Diluc stares at him makes Kaeya's face hot. Burning eyes, filled with emotion and yet there was also an immense amount of restraint in the man's expression.
Ohh, that was...interesting, Kaeya thinks.
"Who am /I/, then, Master Diluc?" He asks.
Diluc shuts his eyes.
Ohh, that was...interesting, Kaeya thinks.
"Who am /I/, then, Master Diluc?" He asks.
Diluc shuts his eyes.
"...right now?" He says, avoiding giving a direct answer. "I'm not quite sure. Perhaps you should remember /why/ you came here and if it's true that it's /me/ you're looking for. You seem to remember Diona just fine."
Kaeya recognized the tone--jealousy? He bites his lip.
Kaeya recognized the tone--jealousy? He bites his lip.
"But..." Diluc says, then stops.
Kaeya finds this annoying; was it something he did often? "/'But'/? But /what/?"
Diluc doesn't reply.
"Ah, well...if neither of us are sure, then wouldn't it be simpler to start from the beginning?" Kaeya huffs, slightly frustrated.
"Hm?"
Kaeya finds this annoying; was it something he did often? "/'But'/? But /what/?"
Diluc doesn't reply.
"Ah, well...if neither of us are sure, then wouldn't it be simpler to start from the beginning?" Kaeya huffs, slightly frustrated.
"Hm?"
"I'm Kaeya Ragnvindr." He grins, sitting up. "If this is a dream, there's no harm in being honest here."
---
"Honest?" Diluc feels a chill as he takes in the word. "Honesty, huh..."
Kaeya was a liar.
But /this/ Kaeya...the Kaeya that /came here to see him/...maybe...
---
"Honest?" Diluc feels a chill as he takes in the word. "Honesty, huh..."
Kaeya was a liar.
But /this/ Kaeya...the Kaeya that /came here to see him/...maybe...
"I work at a Cat Cafe called 'Diona's'. I think you can guess why it's called that." The bluenette smiles gingerly.
It's an honest, unabashed smile. One that Diluc hasn't seen in /years/. One he /misses/ dearly.
"I'm also majoring in Marketing and taking a Minor in Design."
It's an honest, unabashed smile. One that Diluc hasn't seen in /years/. One he /misses/ dearly.
"I'm also majoring in Marketing and taking a Minor in Design."
"A /what/?" Diluc can't help but purse his lips a little tighter; he has no idea what Kaeya is talking about.
"Uh...seeing as we're in a medeival city. I'm assuming you don't have Universities here." Kaeya laughs.
Diluc sighs through his nose. "No. But there's the Akademiya."
"Uh...seeing as we're in a medeival city. I'm assuming you don't have Universities here." Kaeya laughs.
Diluc sighs through his nose. "No. But there's the Akademiya."
"Academy?" Kaeya's eye goes wide in surprise and curiosity.
He looks...cute, Diluc decides. "In Sumeru. They have several Darshans to choose from."
"Uh...huh..." Kaeya's curiosity turns to confusion.
Diluc doesn't stop the small chuckle he lets out. "This is amusing."
He looks...cute, Diluc decides. "In Sumeru. They have several Darshans to choose from."
"Uh...huh..." Kaeya's curiosity turns to confusion.
Diluc doesn't stop the small chuckle he lets out. "This is amusing."
Normally, it would take more effort to have Kaeya's ginger expression turn sour. But 'Kaeya' was being very honest indeed, right now.
Alright. Whatever this was, Diluc would play along.
"And you?" Kaeya presses. "It's your turn to introduce yourself, Mister Bartender."
---
Alright. Whatever this was, Diluc would play along.
"And you?" Kaeya presses. "It's your turn to introduce yourself, Mister Bartender."
---
The way the red-haired man's serious and contemplative expression softens into one of slight amusement makes Kaeya swallow. He doesn't know why--but he likes that look.
"Diluc Ragnvindr." The man replies.
/...what?/ Kaeya's mouth falls open. "What?... /what?/"
"Diluc Ragnvindr." The man replies.
/...what?/ Kaeya's mouth falls open. "What?... /what?/"
"Kaeya!" Diona interrupts, running up between them as if she was trying to separate them. "Uh, so..."
The blonde and the fairy arrive shortly after her. The boy gives Diona an encouraging look.
"Umgh...about your...uh, tardiness today!" she puts her hands on her hips.
The blonde and the fairy arrive shortly after her. The boy gives Diona an encouraging look.
"Umgh...about your...uh, tardiness today!" she puts her hands on her hips.
Kaeya offers her a small, guilty smile. Was she being serious? If this was a dream, maybe it was conforming to his daily life worries.
"I'm sorry about that." He replies.
"Nevermind that today!" She continues, shaking her head. "If you're sick, you don't need to come in!"
"I'm sorry about that." He replies.
"Nevermind that today!" She continues, shaking her head. "If you're sick, you don't need to come in!"
"...aha, right." Kaeya nods. "Ah, I am sorry about...pulling your tail, earlier."
"Well, if you mean it then, be good and accompany these two today!" Diona gestured to the boy and fairy. "They're special guests, so treat them well!"
"Uh?" Kaeya blinked. "But I..."
"No /buts/!"
"Well, if you mean it then, be good and accompany these two today!" Diona gestured to the boy and fairy. "They're special guests, so treat them well!"
"Uh?" Kaeya blinked. "But I..."
"No /buts/!"
---
And so, that's how they convinced Kaeya to stick with them and stay out of trouble. But there was one thing that both Aether and Paimon hadn't expected.
"We should challenge Patton to a Serious Showdown next." Paimon suggested, "But..."
Aether stops and turns.
/"What?"/
And so, that's how they convinced Kaeya to stick with them and stay out of trouble. But there was one thing that both Aether and Paimon hadn't expected.
"We should challenge Patton to a Serious Showdown next." Paimon suggested, "But..."
Aether stops and turns.
/"What?"/
Diluc was right behind them. Specifically, he was sticking right next to Kaeya.
"Master Diluc, are you...going to be following us the whole day?" Paimon asked.
"Is there a problem?" He folds his arms sternly.
Paimon gasped, "Uh, no! That's not what I meant at all! No problem!"
"Master Diluc, are you...going to be following us the whole day?" Paimon asked.
"Is there a problem?" He folds his arms sternly.
Paimon gasped, "Uh, no! That's not what I meant at all! No problem!"
Aether wearily pressed his palm against his own forehead.
"You came to me for help." Diluc pointed out, "I'm here to help."
There was no arguing with Diluc, both of them knew.
"What were you two doing before you found me?" Kaeya asked. "You seemed eager for...something."
"You came to me for help." Diluc pointed out, "I'm here to help."
There was no arguing with Diluc, both of them knew.
"What were you two doing before you found me?" Kaeya asked. "You seemed eager for...something."
Aether opened his mouth to reply, but Diluc answered for them.
"Genius Invokation. It's a rather popular card game."
Kaeya's eye lit up. "Oh, I know that one! I'm rather good, actually."
"Wha-?!" Paimon jerked forward in shock, staring at Kaeya.
Aether made a face. "How..."
"Genius Invokation. It's a rather popular card game."
Kaeya's eye lit up. "Oh, I know that one! I'm rather good, actually."
"Wha-?!" Paimon jerked forward in shock, staring at Kaeya.
Aether made a face. "How..."
"You know how to play?" Diluc asked, again, surprised by the amazing selective memory Kaeya seemed to have.
"It's quite popular on campus ever since Diona introduced it at the cat cafe." Kaeya laughed. "In fact, I have a rather nice winning streak."
"That so?" Diluc smirked.
"It's quite popular on campus ever since Diona introduced it at the cat cafe." Kaeya laughed. "In fact, I have a rather nice winning streak."
"That so?" Diluc smirked.
Paimon turned to Aether and placed a hand on her own head. "Nhghuh...this is getting complicated. So, Kaeya remembers Genius Invokation, but he doesn't remember us? Also, we never asked why he's dressed all funny."
Kaeya frowned, hands on his hips. "Hey now, I dress nicely."
Kaeya frowned, hands on his hips. "Hey now, I dress nicely."
"Uwaa-!" Paimon gasped.
"Paimon, you're too loud." Aether scolded.
"Let's see it then." Diluc suggested.
"Huh?" Aether looked at him.
"Why don't you and Kaeya play a round?" Diluc offered. "Let's use a table at Angel's Share."
"Ugh..." Kaeya hesitated. "The tavern?"
"Paimon, you're too loud." Aether scolded.
"Let's see it then." Diluc suggested.
"Huh?" Aether looked at him.
"Why don't you and Kaeya play a round?" Diluc offered. "Let's use a table at Angel's Share."
"Ugh..." Kaeya hesitated. "The tavern?"
"Outside." Diluc reassured. "Would that be alright?"
After a moment of looking at his feet--something Kaeya used to do when they were children, Diluc noted--Kaeya looked back up and nodded. "Alright."
It was a quick match.
Brutally so.
/"Wha...what just happened?!"/
After a moment of looking at his feet--something Kaeya used to do when they were children, Diluc noted--Kaeya looked back up and nodded. "Alright."
It was a quick match.
Brutally so.
/"Wha...what just happened?!"/
Paimon's head was left spinning, just like the icicles coming out of Kaeya's Dyamic Character card.
"...you're really good." Aether remarked, still in shock at the short 3 rounds it took for him to lose.
Kaeya laughed. "Why thank you."
Diluc looked on in amusement.
"...you're really good." Aether remarked, still in shock at the short 3 rounds it took for him to lose.
Kaeya laughed. "Why thank you."
Diluc looked on in amusement.
---
"Mhuh! You've been taking it easy on us all this time!" the fairy stamped her foot on air.
The boy looked less upset. "Thanks for the game."
Kaeya shrugged. "Anytime."
"Wait here! C'mon Traveler, let's go ask Patton for a Serious Showdown!" The fairy flew off in a huff.
"Mhuh! You've been taking it easy on us all this time!" the fairy stamped her foot on air.
The boy looked less upset. "Thanks for the game."
Kaeya shrugged. "Anytime."
"Wait here! C'mon Traveler, let's go ask Patton for a Serious Showdown!" The fairy flew off in a huff.
The boy looked at Diluc, then at Kaeya. "Paimon, wait! Uh..."
Diluc nodded. "We'll wait here. Don't worry about him."
And off he went.
"Hm..." Kaeya watched. "Paimon. Traveler? Doesn't that kid have a name?"
"Do you know him?" Diluc asked.
Kaeya shrugged, unsure.
Diluc nodded. "We'll wait here. Don't worry about him."
And off he went.
"Hm..." Kaeya watched. "Paimon. Traveler? Doesn't that kid have a name?"
"Do you know him?" Diluc asked.
Kaeya shrugged, unsure.
Reaching down at the table, he picked up the card that had been bothering him since the beginning of the game. The face and name were his own. But...
"Is this...me?" He asked. "The 'me' you /know/?"
It felt...alien, looking at the card. Like looking at a distorted mirror.
"Is this...me?" He asked. "The 'me' you /know/?"
It felt...alien, looking at the card. Like looking at a distorted mirror.
"No." Diluc snorted. "The you I know isn't as charming as the character on that card."
Kaeya winced. "Uh-...wow, did we hate each other?"
He noticed the way Diluc seemed to bristle at the suggestion.
"...did we not?" He hesitantly questioned. "Were we..."
/"My turn."/
Kaeya winced. "Uh-...wow, did we hate each other?"
He noticed the way Diluc seemed to bristle at the suggestion.
"...did we not?" He hesitantly questioned. "Were we..."
/"My turn."/
Diluc sat down across from him before Kaeya could finish his question. "Let's see if you can beat me this time around."
It was Kaeya's turn to bristle. "Oh, have I never beaten you before?"
No reply, instead, Diluc produced his own deck of cards, placing them on the table.
It was Kaeya's turn to bristle. "Oh, have I never beaten you before?"
No reply, instead, Diluc produced his own deck of cards, placing them on the table.
"Alrighty then, I-"
/"Wait."/
And suddenly, the moment shifts. Diluc's once relaxed state changes and he's all fire and urgency. The man who just sat down jumps to his feet.
"Stay here." He commands, then runs off, leaving Kaeya confused and baffled...and alone.
"Wha-..."
/"Wait."/
And suddenly, the moment shifts. Diluc's once relaxed state changes and he's all fire and urgency. The man who just sat down jumps to his feet.
"Stay here." He commands, then runs off, leaving Kaeya confused and baffled...and alone.
"Wha-..."
Kaeya looked back down at the cards on the table. Diluc had already set up. Gathering up his own cards, he noticed one of Diluc's three character cards... Was Diluc himself.
The man in the card blinked, and Kaeya picked it up. It was also a Dynamic Card. "Huh..."
The man in the card blinked, and Kaeya picked it up. It was also a Dynamic Card. "Huh..."
He wondered briefly just how it was that these medeival people got these cards to move. Back home, holographic technology was the newest fad. Then again, this was a dream...
Come to think of it, Diona looked just like her card too, didn't she? That's right! So...
Come to think of it, Diona looked just like her card too, didn't she? That's right! So...
---
/"Haha, you look very cute, Diona." Kaeya chuckled. "Did Albedo draw the art for these?"
"Mmmh! He went ahead and drew whatever he wanted!" Diona complained, shoving tray of clean drinking glasses into Kaeya's hands. "Stop slacking and get these to the counter!"/
---
/"Haha, you look very cute, Diona." Kaeya chuckled. "Did Albedo draw the art for these?"
"Mmmh! He went ahead and drew whatever he wanted!" Diona complained, shoving tray of clean drinking glasses into Kaeya's hands. "Stop slacking and get these to the counter!"/
---
Kaeya remembers. That's right. These cards were suggested by Margaret to help increase Diona's cafe popularity. Professor Albedo had assisted in making them because of his side-business as a storybook illustrator.
Was he dreaming of the card game that he'd gotten so fixated on?
Was he dreaming of the card game that he'd gotten so fixated on?
Picking up Diluc's card, Kaeya stared at it. It felt good to hold it between his fingers.
This was his favorite card.
So why was his gut coiling again? Was he missing something, still? There was more to Diluc. More to this card, more to the man named Diluc Ragnvindr.
This was his favorite card.
So why was his gut coiling again? Was he missing something, still? There was more to Diluc. More to this card, more to the man named Diluc Ragnvindr.
Slowly, Kaeya placed Diluc's card down on the table... Right next to his own.
They looked good together.
They were /perfect/ together.
Kaeya's chest hurt. It stung like a hot knife plunged into his heart. His fingers felt numb and his tongue was dry.
He wanted a drink.
They looked good together.
They were /perfect/ together.
Kaeya's chest hurt. It stung like a hot knife plunged into his heart. His fingers felt numb and his tongue was dry.
He wanted a drink.
/He wanted a drink./
/He needed a drink./
"Kae-"
/He NEEDED a DRINK!/
"-ey!"
/HE NEEDED A DRINK!/
"-YA!"
/NOW!/
"KAEYA!"
A slap to his cheek caused the three claw-marks to sting and Kaeya yelped in pain.
"KAEYA!" Diona shook him--how long had she been there?
/He needed a drink./
"Kae-"
/He NEEDED a DRINK!/
"-ey!"
/HE NEEDED A DRINK!/
"-YA!"
/NOW!/
"KAEYA!"
A slap to his cheek caused the three claw-marks to sting and Kaeya yelped in pain.
"KAEYA!" Diona shook him--how long had she been there?
"Kaeya!" she shook him again. "Your turning pale!"
Finally, Kaeya heaved, gasping for a breath he didn't know he needed. How long had he stopped breathing? Why had he stopped breathing?
Why did his mouth feel so dry?
Why did his chest sting?
"Diona...can you...please-"
Finally, Kaeya heaved, gasping for a breath he didn't know he needed. How long had he stopped breathing? Why had he stopped breathing?
Why did his mouth feel so dry?
Why did his chest sting?
"Diona...can you...please-"
"...get me something to drink? Juice will be fine."
Diona's eyes widened and her ear flicked. "J-Just juice? Are you sure? Wouldn't you like--"
"N-no. No wine please... Please, no wine." Kaeya pleaded. "Or I won't stop."
A hot hand braced the nape of his neck. Diluc.
Diona's eyes widened and her ear flicked. "J-Just juice? Are you sure? Wouldn't you like--"
"N-no. No wine please... Please, no wine." Kaeya pleaded. "Or I won't stop."
A hot hand braced the nape of his neck. Diluc.
"Go." Diluc said, slightly out of breath. "There's a new batch of Apple Cider. Tell Charles it's on me."
Diona hesitated, looking at him just one more time, before scampering off.
Kaeya uttered a weak, awkward laugh. "...everyone here is so nice to me."
"People love you."
Diona hesitated, looking at him just one more time, before scampering off.
Kaeya uttered a weak, awkward laugh. "...everyone here is so nice to me."
"People love you."
The statement made Kaeya feel sick.
He lurched forward and clapped a hand over his mouth. "Mmph-"
Diluc rubbed his back, kneeling down next to him. "Breathe. Slowly."
"You sound like... You on a mile." Kaeya pointed out with a swallow.
"I shouldn't have left you."
He lurched forward and clapped a hand over his mouth. "Mmph-"
Diluc rubbed his back, kneeling down next to him. "Breathe. Slowly."
"You sound like... You on a mile." Kaeya pointed out with a swallow.
"I shouldn't have left you."
"Haha...why are you looking at me like that?" Kaeya snorted miserably.
Diluc's expression was frazzled, just short of being wild. Like he had committed an unforgivable sin.
"...I had to take care of... something." Diluc explained reluctantly. "More importantly..."
Diluc's expression was frazzled, just short of being wild. Like he had committed an unforgivable sin.
"...I had to take care of... something." Diluc explained reluctantly. "More importantly..."
"...I want to drink." Kaeya admitted. "I want to, but I know I shouldn't. I don't stop when I start."
...thats why he started working at Diona's.
He had mostly replaced alcohol with tea and coffee, amongst other, sweeter drinks. But the urge was there. He made himself sick.
...thats why he started working at Diona's.
He had mostly replaced alcohol with tea and coffee, amongst other, sweeter drinks. But the urge was there. He made himself sick.
---
Diluc eased Kaeya gently back up so that he was leaning against the chair back. "Do you remember why you started drinking?"
"No..." Kaeya shook his head miserably, staring downward.
Diluc followed his gaze. He was looking at their Character Cards on the table.
Diluc eased Kaeya gently back up so that he was leaning against the chair back. "Do you remember why you started drinking?"
"No..." Kaeya shook his head miserably, staring downward.
Diluc followed his gaze. He was looking at their Character Cards on the table.
"You remember the game." Diluc thought aloud. "...did seeing my Card upset you?"
The way Kaeya clenched his fingers against his own thighs made Diluc grit his teeth.
"-mm-sorry." Kaeya mumbled.
"No, you're fine. It's... " Diluc reassured.
But Kaeya remained sullen.
The way Kaeya clenched his fingers against his own thighs made Diluc grit his teeth.
"-mm-sorry." Kaeya mumbled.
"No, you're fine. It's... " Diluc reassured.
But Kaeya remained sullen.
Diluc was grateful when Patton arrived with the Apple Cider and Diona in tow.
He was even more grateful when Aether and Paimon returned. Kaeya seemed to ease up when surrounded by familiar company and a drink he liked.
Perhaps some things just didn't change.
He was even more grateful when Aether and Paimon returned. Kaeya seemed to ease up when surrounded by familiar company and a drink he liked.
Perhaps some things just didn't change.
...even their somewhat awkward, rocky relationship.
"This reminds me of the time we found Diluc and Kaeya drinking together!" Paimon mentioned.
"Hm?" Kaeya turned to Diluc inquisitively.
"I think he was making sure Kaeya didn't drink too much." Aether poked.
"This reminds me of the time we found Diluc and Kaeya drinking together!" Paimon mentioned.
"Hm?" Kaeya turned to Diluc inquisitively.
"I think he was making sure Kaeya didn't drink too much." Aether poked.
"That's enough." Diluc hushed them. "Didn't you say you wanted to challenge every player in Mondstadt to a Serious Showdown? Let's go, then."
"EHH?!" Paimon shrieked.
"Kaeya, lend me your card." Diluc demanded.
"But that's our Kaeya card..." Aether protested fruitlessly.
"EHH?!" Paimon shrieked.
"Kaeya, lend me your card." Diluc demanded.
"But that's our Kaeya card..." Aether protested fruitlessly.
Diluc raised his hand, palm upturned in Kaeya's direction. He watched, fixated as Kaeya looked at it, them him, then laughed.
"Not one for asking, are you?" Diluc relishes in the smile Kaeya gives him as he's handed the card.
"Would you say no to /me/?" Diluc smirked.
"Not one for asking, are you?" Diluc relishes in the smile Kaeya gives him as he's handed the card.
"Would you say no to /me/?" Diluc smirked.
"Touche, handsome." Kaeya chuckles--the compliment slips out so casually he can't help but blush.
The rest of the table goes wide-eyed and quiet.
Diluc clears his throat, his fingers brushing against Kaeya's as he accepts the card. "M-hmm..."
"Woah." Paimon's jaw drops.
The rest of the table goes wide-eyed and quiet.
Diluc clears his throat, his fingers brushing against Kaeya's as he accepts the card. "M-hmm..."
"Woah." Paimon's jaw drops.
"...thank you." Diluc mutters.
"Diluc is blushing." Aether exposes.
"Mh-mm!" Diluc clears his throat again, shutting his eyes as he tries to will his face to stop going as red as his hair.
"G-good luck." Kaeya mumbles, "N-not that you need it...I mean..."
"...yeah."
"Diluc is blushing." Aether exposes.
"Mh-mm!" Diluc clears his throat again, shutting his eyes as he tries to will his face to stop going as red as his hair.
"G-good luck." Kaeya mumbles, "N-not that you need it...I mean..."
"...yeah."
Kaeya's heart is racing. Diluc can see it in his gorgeous, blown, starry-pupiled eye.
...was this really /Kaeya/? Was this /his/ Kaeya?
---
Kaeya swallows his embarrassment, it goes down in a lump in his throat. The way Diluc is looking at him is making his hand sweat.
...was this really /Kaeya/? Was this /his/ Kaeya?
---
Kaeya swallows his embarrassment, it goes down in a lump in his throat. The way Diluc is looking at him is making his hand sweat.
He doesn't want to pull his hand away. It fits /perfectly/ in Diluc's hand.
From the glint in the other man's scarlet pupils, Kaeya can tell Diluc doesn't want to let go either.
...this feeling...was...ohh.
"Diluc..." And Kaeya's heart jumps at the way Diluc's pupil widens.
From the glint in the other man's scarlet pupils, Kaeya can tell Diluc doesn't want to let go either.
...this feeling...was...ohh.
"Diluc..." And Kaeya's heart jumps at the way Diluc's pupil widens.
/...yes, this feeling was-/
"Are you guys going to duel, or not?!" Diona screamed.
Kaeya startled, yanking his hand away when Diluc's fingers almost closed around his own.
"Ah-" Diluc's mouth fell open as he froze.
"Ahaha, let's not keep them waiting now." Kaeya shrugged.
"Are you guys going to duel, or not?!" Diona screamed.
Kaeya startled, yanking his hand away when Diluc's fingers almost closed around his own.
"Ah-" Diluc's mouth fell open as he froze.
"Ahaha, let's not keep them waiting now." Kaeya shrugged.
Diluc looked displeased, but only for a moment. Then he smirked at Kaeya, making the Bluenette lose his breath all over again.
"Let me show you what a Serious Showdown looks like."
And Kaeya couldn't stop the giggle he uttered. "Show me, /Master/ Diluc."
They sat down.
"Let me show you what a Serious Showdown looks like."
And Kaeya couldn't stop the giggle he uttered. "Show me, /Master/ Diluc."
They sat down.
The way Diluc shuffled his cards had Kaeya watching his every move. Every flick of one of his fingers, every minute twist of his wrists. In a matter of seconds, he had set down his draw pile, held a hand of two and had both their Character Cards on the table.
Only their two...?
Only their two...?
Looking across the table, Kaeya can see the 'Traveler' setting down three cards. He knows them and the match-up is...concerning.
Ningguang, Keqing, Ganyu...these were powerful cards. Not as powerful as an Ayaka or--in the cases where played right, a Yoimiya.
But Diluc was calm.
Ningguang, Keqing, Ganyu...these were powerful cards. Not as powerful as an Ayaka or--in the cases where played right, a Yoimiya.
But Diluc was calm.
The coin was tossed.
Traveler attacked first. The boy's luck just seemed that good. Ningguang caused 2 Geo Dmg right off the bat. Kaeya made a face as he saw his own Character Card's health decrease to 8.
Diluc's expression was unchanged.
Aquila Favonia. Mondstadt Hash Browns.
Traveler attacked first. The boy's luck just seemed that good. Ningguang caused 2 Geo Dmg right off the bat. Kaeya made a face as he saw his own Character Card's health decrease to 8.
Diluc's expression was unchanged.
Aquila Favonia. Mondstadt Hash Browns.
4 more dice left.
Diluc places down the Mondstadt Cathedral. Then...ends his round?
/What?/ Kaeya thinks. But he says nothing.
It's Traveler's turn. He plays an event card "The Crane Returns Home" and again, Ningquang attacks. 1 dmg.
His card heals itself back up to 10.
Diluc places down the Mondstadt Cathedral. Then...ends his round?
/What?/ Kaeya thinks. But he says nothing.
It's Traveler's turn. He plays an event card "The Crane Returns Home" and again, Ningquang attacks. 1 dmg.
His card heals itself back up to 10.
The blonde's face twists a little as he realizes what Diluc might be aiming for.
Keqing takes the field automatically after the boon is passed. But the boy doesn't have enough dice to make another move. The round ends, both parties still at full health.
Another dice roll.
Keqing takes the field automatically after the boon is passed. But the boy doesn't have enough dice to make another move. The round ends, both parties still at full health.
Another dice roll.
Diluc goes first. He uses 3 dice for an event card--one that Kaeya hasn't seen much. Then, the remaining dice go to equipping Diluc's Character Card with a weapon: Wolves...gravestone, if Kaeya remembers correctly.
The last 2 dice go to...Jade Chamber?
Diluc ends his round.
The last 2 dice go to...Jade Chamber?
Diluc ends his round.
/Again? He's not attacking?/
Even the Traveler seems confused. But he attacks again--3 Electro DMG.
Kaeya watches as his own card heals back up to 8.
Then Ganyu returns--it's still Traveler's turn. 3 DMG due to Superconduct. His Card's health goes down to 5.
Diluc watches.
Even the Traveler seems confused. But he attacks again--3 Electro DMG.
Kaeya watches as his own card heals back up to 8.
Then Ganyu returns--it's still Traveler's turn. 3 DMG due to Superconduct. His Card's health goes down to 5.
Diluc watches.
Then the boy plays an Event Card: Liyue Harbor. The round ends.
Kaeya feels relieved when his own health goes up to 7.
The dice roll.
Kaeya is surprised when 2 extra Omni-dice show up as Diluc's turn begins.
Witch's Hat is quickly equipped to Diluc's Card. Then...-
Kaeya feels relieved when his own health goes up to 7.
The dice roll.
Kaeya is surprised when 2 extra Omni-dice show up as Diluc's turn begins.
Witch's Hat is quickly equipped to Diluc's Card. Then...-
The Crane Returns Home.
/"Koitsu wa douda?"/ Cold blooded Strike.
2 Cryo DMG thanks to Ningguang's Jade Screen. His Card's health goes up to 9. Then Diluc took the field.
"Now!" Paimon urged.
Frostflake Arrow. 2 DMG to them both. They were desperate to take Diluc out.
/"Koitsu wa douda?"/ Cold blooded Strike.
2 Cryo DMG thanks to Ningguang's Jade Screen. His Card's health goes up to 9. Then Diluc took the field.
"Now!" Paimon urged.
Frostflake Arrow. 2 DMG to them both. They were desperate to take Diluc out.
/Too desperate./
Diluc's turn again. He plays Flowing Flame: The Melt damage takes 4 of Ganyu's health, knocking her down to 4.
The boy switches characters, attempting to stall losing Ganyu. He wastes a turn doing so.
Diluc still has 2 dice left, it's more than enough.
Diluc's turn again. He plays Flowing Flame: The Melt damage takes 4 of Ganyu's health, knocking her down to 4.
The boy switches characters, attempting to stall losing Ganyu. He wastes a turn doing so.
Diluc still has 2 dice left, it's more than enough.
Keqing loses 3 health before she knocks Diluc down to 5 and the round ends when Diluc hits the timer. Neither have any dice left. It's the start of the fourth round. The Cathedral heals Diluc back up to 7.
Roll.
Diluc gets 2 extra Omni dice again. He has plenty of Pyro to use.
Roll.
Diluc gets 2 extra Omni dice again. He has plenty of Pyro to use.
Another Flowing Flame Card sends Keqing to 3--no more Jade Screen to lesson the DMG by -1. This time, the boy resists the urge to switch and retaliates with another Stellar Restoration. Diluc gets knocked to 4.
But it's obvious what's going to happen next.
Searing Onslaught.
But it's obvious what's going to happen next.
Searing Onslaught.
Keqing goes down.
Ningguang takes the field and fires another Jade Screen. Diluc loses 2 more health points.
Sitting at just 2 health, he uses his Burst. It's a shocking 10 DMG due to Wolvesgravestone and his low health. Ningguang's screen can only mitigate -1 DMG.
She's down.
Ningguang takes the field and fires another Jade Screen. Diluc loses 2 more health points.
Sitting at just 2 health, he uses his Burst. It's a shocking 10 DMG due to Wolvesgravestone and his low health. Ningguang's screen can only mitigate -1 DMG.
She's down.
Then...Ganyu takes Diluc out with a Liutian Archery.
His card utters a dying cry.
Kaeya grits his teeth as his own card takes the field. Only 2 characters left. But it's already obvious who's win it is.
/"Kore~!"/ Kaeya takes Ganyu's last 4 health points.
Diluc wins.
His card utters a dying cry.
Kaeya grits his teeth as his own card takes the field. Only 2 characters left. But it's already obvious who's win it is.
/"Kore~!"/ Kaeya takes Ganyu's last 4 health points.
Diluc wins.
"Wha-..." The fairy--Paimon, Kaeya recalls--is completely aghast. "The first two rounds, you didn't even attack and yet...you took us out so quickly!"
"It's called a 'sacrifice play'." Diluc elaborates.
"I thought you were going for something like that..." The boy sighs.
"It's called a 'sacrifice play'." Diluc elaborates.
"I thought you were going for something like that..." The boy sighs.
"Oh?" Diluc raises a brow.
"But I thought you were going to let Kaeya take all the hits while you prepped your own Card." The blonde confesses.
"...did you really take me for someone who'd let that happen?" Diluc's gaze sharpens as his line of sight shifts.
Kaeya shivers.
"But I thought you were going to let Kaeya take all the hits while you prepped your own Card." The blonde confesses.
"...did you really take me for someone who'd let that happen?" Diluc's gaze sharpens as his line of sight shifts.
Kaeya shivers.
He meets Diluc's gaze accidentally; but he can't look away. "That-hm...certainly was an unexpected play."
"It went exactly as I planned." Diluc huffed, the corner of his lips curling.
Kaeya could tell he enjoyed how uncomfortable he was making him. "Literally or..."
"It went exactly as I planned." Diluc huffed, the corner of his lips curling.
Kaeya could tell he enjoyed how uncomfortable he was making him. "Literally or..."
Out of the corner of his eye, Kaeya spies the boy looking like he had something to say. He smiles and turns towards him.
"Aha, I'm sorry. Do you need to borrow him for a bit?" Kaeya asks, gesturing to Diluc.
"...yeah." The boy nods, looking a little more serious than expected.
"Aha, I'm sorry. Do you need to borrow him for a bit?" Kaeya asks, gesturing to Diluc.
"...yeah." The boy nods, looking a little more serious than expected.
---
"Let me take him off your hands for a bit." Diluc says, no sooner than they were out of earshot.
Paimon speaks before Aether can. "Wha? What's with that all of a sudden?"
"I think...I know how to resolve this issue." Diluc sighs. "Alice told me about this once...when she-"
"Let me take him off your hands for a bit." Diluc says, no sooner than they were out of earshot.
Paimon speaks before Aether can. "Wha? What's with that all of a sudden?"
"I think...I know how to resolve this issue." Diluc sighs. "Alice told me about this once...when she-"
The explanation makes sense. In fact...
"I think I know what she's talking about." Aether nods--having traversed many worlds himself before landing in Teyvat. "Can you really help him?"
"Leave it to me." Diluc doesn't even hesitate.
He'd made his mind up about all of this.
"I think I know what she's talking about." Aether nods--having traversed many worlds himself before landing in Teyvat. "Can you really help him?"
"Leave it to me." Diluc doesn't even hesitate.
He'd made his mind up about all of this.
---
"So, may I uh...'return to work' anytime soon?" Kaeya pressed.
Diona seemed reluctant but huffed a little, "Mnnyeah-fine, fine! But not today! I'm not here to watch you and make sure you're alright."
Kaeya can only offer a soft laugh and a shrug. "I'm sorry about all this."
"So, may I uh...'return to work' anytime soon?" Kaeya pressed.
Diona seemed reluctant but huffed a little, "Mnnyeah-fine, fine! But not today! I'm not here to watch you and make sure you're alright."
Kaeya can only offer a soft laugh and a shrug. "I'm sorry about all this."
It just seemed /wrong/ to be taking it easy when his days were usually filled with studies and cafe work. Just wandering around and troubling everyone he came across made guilt begin to fester in his chest.
He had to do /something/. Be /useful/ somehow. Right?
He had to do /something/. Be /useful/ somehow. Right?
"What were you talking about?" Diluc asks as the three return.
"Muhh, I could ask you the same thing!" Diona complained. "Stop giving me more work!"
"My apologies, Diona. But you seemed really eager to help Kaeya out yourself." Diluc pointed out.
Diona bristled, her fur/
"Muhh, I could ask you the same thing!" Diona complained. "Stop giving me more work!"
"My apologies, Diona. But you seemed really eager to help Kaeya out yourself." Diluc pointed out.
Diona bristled, her fur/
standing on end. "Mnyaa, I'm worried because it's /you/ who's taking care of him! Muuh, fine!"
She turned with a huff and began running off.
"I'll see you at the Cat's Tail tomorrow!"
Kaeya sighed as Diluc looked at him with suspicion. "I asked to come and work, it's fine."
She turned with a huff and began running off.
"I'll see you at the Cat's Tail tomorrow!"
Kaeya sighed as Diluc looked at him with suspicion. "I asked to come and work, it's fine."
"...hm. Alright." Diluc seemed a little annoyed, somehow, Kaeya thought.
"So...now what?" He asks, feeling lost again.
He's confused when Diluc raises his hands and puts two fingers to his mouth--and whistles.
The sound of heavy hooves comes thundering from somewhere, before/
"So...now what?" He asks, feeling lost again.
He's confused when Diluc raises his hands and puts two fingers to his mouth--and whistles.
The sound of heavy hooves comes thundering from somewhere, before/
a great dark horse appears from around a corner, making it's way towards them. It's huge!
"Woah-..." Kaeya steps back, instinctively behind the other man.
"I suppose you don't remember him, either?" Diluc teased, then--
Kaeya yelps as his waist is grabbed and he's lifted up.
"Woah-..." Kaeya steps back, instinctively behind the other man.
"I suppose you don't remember him, either?" Diluc teased, then--
Kaeya yelps as his waist is grabbed and he's lifted up.
"Wh-wha-wait!" He screams, causing everyone around to watch as he's hoisted onto the horse's back.
Oddly enough, nobody intervenes. Dream logic, maybe?
Then, a hot body is pressed into his back as Diluc joins him on the horse. The saddle is large, but it's snug for two.
Oddly enough, nobody intervenes. Dream logic, maybe?
Then, a hot body is pressed into his back as Diluc joins him on the horse. The saddle is large, but it's snug for two.
"Hya-!" At Diluc's command, the steed took off.
"DILUC-!" Kaeya shrieked in horror, hands going to the man's arms as the horse's motion shook them both. "NO-! TOO FAST! DILUC!"
But Diluc doesn't stop. They shoot through the gate and across the bridge, finally on the dirt road.
"DILUC-!" Kaeya shrieked in horror, hands going to the man's arms as the horse's motion shook them both. "NO-! TOO FAST! DILUC!"
But Diluc doesn't stop. They shoot through the gate and across the bridge, finally on the dirt road.
Then and only then, when the open fields and the wind are the only things around them, does Diluc pull the reigns back--the horse slows down to a trot, then a leisurely walk.
"Haa..." Kaeya's heaving, pressed into Diluc's body as far as he can go, shaking like a leaf in a storm.
"Haa..." Kaeya's heaving, pressed into Diluc's body as far as he can go, shaking like a leaf in a storm.
"Are you alright?" The amusement in Diluc's voice is painfully obvious.
"You jerk!" Kaeya barks up at him, despite still holding onto Diluc's arms for security. "You can't just kidnap me!"
"Why not?" Diluc questioned, stunning him.
"Wha.../why not?!/" This guy--!
"You jerk!" Kaeya barks up at him, despite still holding onto Diluc's arms for security. "You can't just kidnap me!"
"Why not?" Diluc questioned, stunning him.
"Wha.../why not?!/" This guy--!
"I'm taking you home." Diluc continues, before Kaeya can continue yelling. "...our home."
At that, Kaeya's fury melts, replaced by confusion. "...o-our home?"
Diluc's face softens. "Our home."
And can't even begin to comprehend the implications of that. His fight gone,/
At that, Kaeya's fury melts, replaced by confusion. "...o-our home?"
Diluc's face softens. "Our home."
And can't even begin to comprehend the implications of that. His fight gone,/
his thoughts drift to earlier that day.
"...I lied." He whispers.
Diluc doesn't reply.
"Diluc?" Kaeya straightens up and tries to look at his face. "Are you listening to me? I lied--I'm not...my name isn't...the same as yours."
Diluc snorts, smiling a little. "I know."
"...I lied." He whispers.
Diluc doesn't reply.
"Diluc?" Kaeya straightens up and tries to look at his face. "Are you listening to me? I lied--I'm not...my name isn't...the same as yours."
Diluc snorts, smiling a little. "I know."
Kaeya's ears ring. Diluc.../knew/? He knew all this time!? Then why didn't he say anything?!
"You-..." Kaeya can't find the words.
"I'm used to it." Diluc laughs a little--a sound that Kaeya finds so...endearing. "You're quite the storyteller; Kaeya Alberich."
"Uh-..."
"You-..." Kaeya can't find the words.
"I'm used to it." Diluc laughs a little--a sound that Kaeya finds so...endearing. "You're quite the storyteller; Kaeya Alberich."
"Uh-..."
Kaeya squirmed uncomfortably, now not daring to look at Diluc's face any longer. Was he...being made fun of?
"...are you perhaps--angry?" He mutters.
"No." Comes the reply--then words that make Kaeya's heart race. "I rather like the sound of 'Kaeya Ragnvindr', actually."
"...are you perhaps--angry?" He mutters.
"No." Comes the reply--then words that make Kaeya's heart race. "I rather like the sound of 'Kaeya Ragnvindr', actually."
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
