Chapter Text
“My dear Addie, just what do you put in these pancakes that make them taste so delectable?”
“Now, Master Kaeya… don't talk with your mouth full,” Adelinde replied dotingly with a chuckle. “Besides, I can't tell you that. It's a family secret.”
“But I’m family!” he insisted.
“Hmm, very true. How about this? You can come over whenever you want and I’ll make them for you.”
“Well, it’s settled. I’m moving back in,” he laughed heartily.
“Who’s moving back in?”
Kaeya turned to look over at the pair walking down the stairs. He couldn't help but stare - they looked so… good together. Words escaped him for once… elegant? Sophisticated? Diluc still had the same attire as before, but Eula wasn't wearing her usual clothes.
Wait a minute… he recognized the shirt.
“Wow, she looks even better in your clothes than you do!” he applauded, before enjoying another mouthful of pancakes.
Diluc looked annoyed for a moment, but quickly dismissed it. He escorted her to the vacant chair and pulled it out for her, before seating himself.
Kaeya was absolutely giddy inside. Who knew that Eula would be the one to bring out such courteous behavior from his rough-around-the-edges brother?
Diluc’s eyes met his for a second and he shot Kaeya a sharp look, as though he could read his brother's innermost thoughts. Kaeya simply smiled back and said nothing, before scarfing down yet another helping of pancakes.
Adelinde was the first to speak. “Anyone care for more?” She glanced over at Kaeya, who nodded enthusiastically, before promptly retreating to the kitchen.
Poor Adelinde, he thought. She must have been on the verge of a breakdown if they didn't show up until midnight last night…
“Just how many did you eat already?” Diluc questioned.
Kaeya slowly counted on both hands. “Six, I think? Maybe seven?”
“And you still plan on working after that many?”
“Hey, what can I say? I have quite the appetite for Addie’s pancakes,” he grinned. “Especially since it's been awhile. Captain Eula, how do you like them?” She had been fairly silent since they came downstairs.
“Oh. It's fine, I like them,” she remarked, eating another bite. He could tell she was slightly uncomfortable, although she tried to hide it.
Ah, that's right, Diluc said she was embarrassed about what happened. She probably doesn't want anyone to know…
For once, Kaeya didn't really know what to say. He wanted to clear the air, because their entrance had led to a fairly heavy cloud of tension around the dining table. Was it his comment about the shirt that threw off the energy? Or just his presence in general? He shrugged internally - too late for regrets, what's past is past. Time to break the ice.
“I really do think the shirt suits you well,” he said to Eula with a wink. She blushed a bit and dabbed at her mouth with her napkin.
“Where did you get it from?” she asked.
“Sumeru. I bought several on my last trip there. When I was at their local tavern, I met a nice guy named Kaveh who showed me where to get them,” he elaborated. I should probably get more next time I’m there, he thought to himself.
“I can tell the material is high quality. It feels so silky smooth on my skin,” she remarked with a smile.
“See, that's also what I noticed when I first tried it on!” he exclaimed. “Doesn't it just fit much more comfortably ?” Eula nodded.
“Ah, it's nice to be in the company of someone with good fashion sense for once,” Kaeya commented with relief. “Maybe Captain Eula can be my new shopping partner.” He looked over at his brother, who continued eating silently, but glanced over at him with a deadpan expression, as though to ask silently, ‘Was that supposed to be a jab at me?’
“Please, Kaeya, no need to be formal,” she smiled. “We're not at work, I’m not a captain here. Just call me Eula.”
“Gotcha.” He winked in understanding.
Ah, there… that feels better. The air around them seemed to lighten.
Adelinde came back with another full tray of pancakes, which they immediately helped themselves to.
“We should really take him shopping for new clothes though, wouldn't you agree?” Kaeya leaned over and whispered to Eula, subtly pointing in his brother’s direction. “Black is a bit too… drab.” She giggled quietly.
“I heard that,” Diluc said, lifting his glass of grape juice and taking a sip with his eyes closed.
“You were meant to, brother,” Kaeya replied playfully. “Wouldn't it be fun?”
“There's no time right now. Besides, I wear mostly black because it's simple. And it hides… things.”
“Like what? Your happiness and joy?”
“Like dirt and blood ,” he snapped back as he set his glass down.
“Now, boys,” Adelinde interrupted. “Let's keep this meal peaceful, please? If not for my sake, at least for Miss Lawrence here.”
The two brothers had started to apologize to the head maid, when there was a stifled laugh from the other side of the table. The room went silent as Kaeya glanced over and saw Eula trying to contain her laughter.
“Sorry, I couldn't help it,” she chuckled. “I don't usually see this kind of light-hearted conversation between family members over the dining table.”
Ah, that's right. Kaeya had forgotten that she was somewhat of an outsider in her family. It looked like Diluc had forgotten as well - his facial expression had shifted from initial bewilderment to a softer smile at her comment.
“Plus,” she added, “I’m still in shock that you two are brothers.”
“ Adopted brothers,” they said in unison, glancing at each other. Eula continued laughing softly, while Adelinde looked at them endearingly.
“You two are forgiven, since Miss Lawrence seems to have been entertained by your… interesting breakfast conversation,” she commented with a chuckle, dirty dishes in hand.
“Addie, why don't you eat with us?” Kaeya insisted.
“Master Kaeya, normally I would love to, but there is a lot on my plate… no pun intended, of course.”
“Good point. I can help though,” he pouted.
His brother raised an eyebrow. “ You ? Doing dishes? That's a new one.”
“Hey! I’ll have you know, I did chores when we were kids-”
“Do you realize how long ago that was?”
Kaeya turned and noticed Adelinde had quietly snuck away to the kitchen. “Ah, see what you did! Now she won't eat with us…” He noticed Diluc had leaned over to whisper something in Eula’s ear.
“Oh? Keeping secrets now, are we?” he mused.
“I’m apologizing to Eula for your behavior,” his brother replied.
“ My behavior? Who's the one who mentioned blood at the breakfast table?”
“It's okay, really,” Eula interrupted. “No apologies needed from anyone. It's a nice change of pace to be in the company of such gracious hospitality.”
“That's good to hear,” the redhead said, before taking another sip of grape juice.
Moments later, Eula excused herself to use the washroom. Diluc whispered something again to her, and Kaeya couldn't hear, but she shook her head and went alone.
As Diluc resumed his eating, Kaeya chimed in. “You’re so different all of a sudden…”
“Hmm? What do you mean?”
“Come to think of it, I’ve never seen you really interact with any women, maybe except Master Jean,” he pondered.
Diluc nearly choked on his juice. “Kaeya… not right now.”
“Suit yourself. We are having this conversation at some point, though.”
His brother just ignored him. Soon enough, Adelinde returned to clear the rest of the dishes as Eula came back, shivering and coughing. Diluc guided her to the couch near the fireplace and handed her his Vision. Kaeya got up to fetch some blankets from the closet. As he approached the pair, he overheard some of their conversation.
“Would you prefer more privacy back in my room?”
“It's fine here,” Eula said, coughing. “You don't need to trouble yourself. I've inconvenienced you enough already…”
“Don't be silly.” He paused to think while Kaeya moved closer and placed his hand on the redhead's shoulder.
“Wait, Luc… did you say she was attacked?” he whispered.
“Yeah…” Diluc kept his voice low. “Cryo Abyss Mage. She was fighting one when she got hurt.”
“Hmm. Is there a wound or anything?”
“The cold emanated mostly from her chest, near her heart. I didn't see the wound firsthand, but Adelinde said it looked like a really dark bruise…”
Kaeya thought hard, trying to remember something.
Why does this seem so familiar?
“Wait… you don't mind if I ask her something, do you?”
“What is it?” Diluc asked cautiously, noticing that Kaeya was more serious now.
Kaeya moved over to the couch where Eula was resting.
“Sorry to bother you, Eula. If it's alright with you, may I check something?”
“Check what?”
“Where were you attacked? Where does it feel the coldest ?”
Eula tapped her hand to her upper chest, then kept her hand there. She seemed hesitant.
Diluc reassured her. “Eula… Kaeya may have some useful information regarding Abyss attacks, given his… past experience.”
Thank Barbatos, he actually worded that tactfully… Kaeya thought. He knew he could trust his brother with his secret, given he was the only one who knew Kaeya’s background and identity.
Eula still seemed concerned, but moved her hand and nodded in approval, pulling down the top of her shirt slightly. The brothers saw a dark purple mark in the flat area in the middle of her chest, slightly resembling a star.
“Ouch, that looks painful…” he remarked. That star shape reminds me of something…
“It feels heavy and cold. Sometimes it's hard to breathe,” Eula stated before coughing again. Adelinde brought some warm tea for her.
“Thank you for trusting us, Eula. I have some theories. Just rest a bit, we’ll figure this out,” Kaeya reassured her. Diluc held her hand and gripped it tight. She closed her eyes in response.
The brothers proceeded to the staircase and Kaeya sat down, looking concerned.
“So? What are your thoughts?”
Kaeya remained silent, thinking.
“Kaeya.”
“Was she like that when you found her? Did you actually see the attack?”
Diluc thought hard and shook his head. “I didn't see the attack that hit her chest, but I did see a Cryo Abyss Mage. By the time I stepped in, she was already disoriented. So she was probably already hurt at that point.”
Kaeya remained silent for a bit longer, eyes moving slowly from side to side as he thought.
The suspense was too much for Diluc. “Please Kaeya… just spit it out,” he said impatiently.
“Let me guess… the reason you're both alive and safe is because you had to use your Vision all night to keep you both warm?” he guessed.
“Uh… what does that have to do with the attack?”
“Wait, that's not exactly true…” Kaeya pondered. “A Pyro Vision couldn't distribute that much heat across the whole body at once…”
“Alright,” the redhead pleaded in a low whisper, face turning red. “I- I held her through the night, during the snowstorm. We found an abandoned tent. I couldn't think of any other way.”
Kaeya now looked at his brother, who had his head down in shame. “Hey. Luc.” He lifted his chin and saw some tears forming at the corner of his brother's eyes. “Don't be embarrassed, you did the right thing.”
“You see,” he continued, voice almost a whisper. “If you hadn’t… I don't think she would be here. That attack… wasn't a Cryo Abyss Mage.”
“It was an Abyss Herald.”