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It had been a week since Jean had left with Klee, Barbara and the Traveller. A week since Kaeya felt like he'd moved into her office and was slowly drowning under the sheer volume of work.
He'd managed to delegate some smaller tasks to other Knights or Noelle, but much of it required either himself or Jean to complete. The result was long hours trying to keep up and not let Jean down.
With a pained sigh, Kaeya fought his way through what he hoped was the last paperwork for the day. It was late at night already, his hand ached from all the writing and, for the fifth time that week, he wouldn't even get chance for a quick drink in the tavern before they closed.
"Longest week ever," he grumbled as he stretched out his wrists before finishing the forms. He'd rather be out fighting mages and mitachurls than stuck with this endless drudgery. How did Jean do it and stay sane? No wonder Barbara had been able to talk her into going along on Klee's adventure.
At last, the day's work was done. The hour was creeping towards midnight and Kaeya felt a stab of resentment towards those who had whiled away the last few hours in the tavern. Maybe he still had a drop of brandy at home he could enjoy before bed?
Standing, Kaeya stretched out his stiff limbs, before forcefully slamming a paperweight onto the remaining documents. There were still too many, and likely there would be more come morning.
"Next time, I'm going on the crazy adventure and she can do the paperwork," he muttered.
He left the office, offering only the curtest of nods to the Knights on guard duty, before pushing open the door and stepping out into the night air. Hurrying down the steps, he barely waited until he was out of the guards sight before sagging against the wall, resting his head against the cool stone.
It wasn't only the paperwork that was exhausting. It was the pressure behind it, the knowledge that, in Jean's absence, the safety of Mondstadt rested on his shoulders.
It was ironic really, under the circumstances, but he had no intention of letting her down. His choice was made years ago and he wasn't about to change his mind now.
Unless he passed out from overwork of course.
With a groan, he pushed away from the wall and was about to make his way home, when a movement caught his eye. Immediately alert, ice sparked from his fingertips. "I know you're there. I may be half blind, but I'm not an idiot." Not as smooth as he would usually be, but he was very tired.
He waited.
"Kaeya." The figure stepped out. Clothed in black and covered in darkness, it was an imposing sight - to all apart from him.
"Diluc, what the hell?" Kaeya frowned. The last thing he needed was his estranged brother causing him more problems. "What are you doing, stalking the headquarters at this hour?"
"Jean's away. I'm aware you are currently... filling in." Diluc took a step closer. "I was checking that everything was going... smoothly."
Kaeya's eye narrowed. "I see." Sudden cold fury burned down his spine, clearing away the exhaustion in a second. His voice became hard. "Well, you needn't worry. I've no intention of burning the city to the ground this week. I'm a bit too tired for treachery, lucky you."
"That isn't what I meant."
"Isn't it? You're telling me you didn't come to check if I was using Jean's absence to tear the city down and showing myself as the dreadful person you're sure I am?" Kaeya snorted.
A sigh from the cloaked man. "No. I didn't."
"I don't believe you."
The hood covering Diluc's head slipped slightly, exposing some of the bright red hair. "Look, Kaeya. If I really believed that... I wouldn't have waited a week. And I would have said something long before you reached this position of authority."
"Is that so?" Despite his anger, Kaeya knew the other had a point. It had been years, but so far Diluc hadn't outed him. That didn't mean he wouldn't though. "Maybe you're just biding your time."
There was a long, painful pause, making Kaeya sure he was right. Archons, he didn't have the energy for this right now. Keeping the city safe was work enough, without being accused of doing the exact opposite.
"I'm not. You've not been into the Angel's Share all week. There was... concern." Diluc readjusted the hood with one hand, covering his hair again.
"I'm sure your finances can cope without me for a week. Get Venti to finally pay his bill, that'll even it out."
"That's not..." Diluc didn't finish his sentence, sagging under the cloak. "Never mind. This is pointless." Two steps forward brought him close enough to press something into Kaeya's hands. "Have a good night, Captain."
Diluc turned, the cloak swishing almost dramatically behind him as he walked away, leaving Kaeya standing there in confusion at the abrupt conclusion to the conversation.
Looking down, Kaeya saw what he was holding. A pre mixed bottle of his favourite death after noon, a large bottle no less, with a handwritten label that read 'Don't drink it all in one go. D.'
A gift. A gift from Diluc.
He stood, staring at the drink until his mind caught up and he dashed after him before he could get too far. "Wait!" He dare not call his name, he kept Diluc's secrets as well as his own.
To his relief, Diluc did stop, though didn't turn around.
"Yes?"
Kaeya paused. Neither of them had ever been any good with vocalising their feelings. "I... I'm sorry. That was... I jumped to conclusions." It had been a long week, but that didn't excuse his rashness and loss of tact. He was better than this damnit, he was supposed to have a way with words. But when it came to Diluc, he struggled to say the right thing.
There was the faintest trace of a laugh from under the cloak." "Me too, Kaeya. Me too." For a moment, they stood in comfortable silence. "Get some rest."
And then he was gone, leaving Kaeya standing alone in the street, holding the bottle that was so much more than just a drink and the feeling that the apology covered more than just their previous exchange.
A small smile tugged at his lips.
Maybe it wasn't such a bad week after all.
***End***