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Kaeya strode towards Favonious headquarters, waving and greeting as he went. The early morning sun bright and the wind cool. He'd actually gotten plenty of sleep the last night, for once, and felt light, almost bouncy.
"Morning Benny! How ar--" Kaeya broke off. Bennett had passed him, not even looking his way, absorbed in a conversation with Fischl. He probably hadn't heard.
Saluting the guards outside the headquarters he ignored that they gave no response. He knew both of them definitely had hangovers from the night before and he wasn't one to judge that.
Opening Jean's office he strode inside, letting the door swing shut behind him.
"Morning Jeanie," he slid onto her desk, propping one leg on top of the other. She looked up, annoyed, probably because he had knocked over several papers from their places.
"Oops, sorry," he grabbed them, placing them back, "oh come on, did that warrant you ignoring me? It was an accident."
"Oh, Barbatos," Jean's gaze flattened, a pretty good impression of Diluc actually.
"I... guess it did then," Kaeya tried to keep his cheery tone going despite the stab to his heart, "fine, fine. I can tell I'm not wanted, I'll go." Dramatically placing a hand on his chest he started out the door, waiting for the usual response saved for when he said something self deprecating in front of Jean. He was disappointed however because she just sighed, not even glancing his way. Really trying to resemble Diluc.
"Wow," Kaeya whistled, "how many hours of sleep did she get?" He knew very well probably none and resolved to make her sleep later. Striding down the hallway he passed Lisa who had several cups of tea balanced on a tray in her arms.
"Ooh, may I have a cup?" Kaeya raised his eyebrows, knowing she'd just laugh and walk off, though would actually bring a cup to his office later.
She just.... walked past him. Okay then, he'd pissed Lisa off too. He ran through his mental library of books he'd borrowed, one was probably overdue. Honestly though, he'd rather be ignored than electrocuted again.
-
By the time he'd finished his paperwork Kaeya knew something was up and was desperately trying to play along. Noelle had come into his office after knocking several times despite Kaeya's constant come ins and stood at the doorway for a moment before coming in, straightening the papers he'd been working on and screwing the cap on the bottle of ink he'd been using. Obviously some sort of prank that Lisa and Jean were on in too.
-
Today was a day that Diluc was bartending so Kaeya normally got off only a little late to go bother/talk to him instead of staying at work all night trying to make up for the extreme losses Varka left in their ranks so he went to go say his goodbyes to Jean and see if he could make her acknowledge him. Walking down the hallways did nothing for his slowly darkening mood. Mika and Eula passed not glancing his way despite his greetings and none of the knights did anything to make Kaeya feel seen or heard.
It was fine. Just a prank.
Jean was asleep, slumped over her desk, when Kaeya walked in. Sighing he smiled, he'd confront her tomorrow. Draping the blanket they kept in her office over her shoulders he stole a blank piece of paper from her desk and scrawled a note that read:
Jean
If you do not go rest and I find you still here tomorrow morning I will carry you to your house, bridal style, while shouting your name through the city.
Kaeya :)
He doodled a little smiley face at the end, drawing a genuine smile from him that soon disappeared when he walked through town to get to the Angel's Share. No one. I mean no one acknowledged him! The size of this must be crazy. He needed to get his information system checked on if he really hadn't heard of Mondstadt's full scale disregard of Captain Kaeya Albrich.
Pushing down dread that he wouldn't even get a drink because Diluc ignored him anyway-- so why pass this chance up?-- He opened the door letting it swing shut behind him. The warmth engulfed Kaeya and he sighed a bit, letting his shoulders relax, he always managed to get a rise out of Diluc anyway, why would today be different?
He waved and tried to chat with people on his way to the bar, they all ignored him, even the drunk ones. Ow, this was really starting to hurt.
"One Death After Noon please," Kaeya slid onto a stool, placing his elbows on the counter, pleasantly surprised to actually find a drink placed in front of him.
"Amazing service as always," Kaeya muttered, sending a sad smile to his amber colored drink.
"Hmmph," Diluc grunted, "I'm not inefficient."
Kaeya blinked up at the redhead. Then laughed. How could he have thought Diluc would go along with a, probably, knight made plan?
"Did I say something funny?" Diluc grumbled.
"No, no. I just got reminded that you really stick to your own path."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
Wow, he was actually being kind of chatty. For Diluc at least.
"Well, everybody's been ignoring me all day as some sort of prank," Kaeya spoke loud enough for Rosaria, who was sitting next to him, could definitely hear. She made no reaction, just glanced at the door and sipped her drink. Lovely.
"Sounds stupid." Diluc turned to face another patron who cowered under his trademark glare.
"Yup. It's working though." Kaeya grimaced, "no one's talked to me all day."
"Hmm," Diluc raised his eyebrows.
Kaeya talked for quite a while after that, never getting a reaction from anyone but Diluc who actually conversed with him for most of the night.
It made him feel stupidly happy that Diluc wasn't going to ignore him for some petty reason like a prank and he was sure he kept the dumb smile on as he walked home.
-
Today was worse.
Way worse.
"Ah! Good morning Klee! I was thinking we could go visit Cider lake to--"
"Albeeedoooo! Do you know where Kaeya is?"
"No, I haven't seen him."
Ouch, they'd gotten the six year old to play along.
Before his patrol.
"Hello Amber! Ready to go?"
"Hmmm," the outrider tapped her foot, arms crossed.
"Hellooo. Patrol time. You with me?" Kaeya waved a hand in front of her face, crouching to meet her eyes... which slid over his own violet one. Wow, she was good.
"Fine then, I'll see how long it takes you to break." Kaeya stood straight again, taking out his coin to flip it, ready to chatter incessantly.
Almost ten minutes after they were supposed to leave Amber groaned, muttering something about Kaeya being the biggest slacker Mondstadt ever saw.
"I'm right here y'know. You don't need to insult me to my face."
The outrider stalked off. Kaeya followed.
No reaction.
None!
He wasn't even this good at acting. He'd talked for two hours straight and even sung at some point but she-- she-- ugh! He was so done with this, he even started to tear up at the end. Foregoing his normal routine of goodbyes, knowing they'd all be ignored anyway, he headed straight for the Angel's Share.
Diluc.
Oh good, Kaeya would get a drink.
"Death After Noon please," Kaeya slumped onto a stool, putting his head in his hands.
"What happened to you?" Diluc slid the drink over, tone not unkind if a little bored.
"Ah, well, funny story. I talked for two hours straight and no one told me to stop, I think that's a record wouldn't you say." Kaeya stopped, if he kept talking he'd start crying. The tears were already at the corner of his eye, glistening in the candle light.
"And how was this feat accomplished?" Diluc ignored the odd looks Charles kept shooting at him.
"Because these people don't know when a joke has gone too far," Kaeya chuckled wetly.
"Hmmph."
"Precisely." Kaeya swirled his drink, debating his next question.
Taking a deep breath he asked, "hey, since I got all my blabbing done for the day do you need a turn?"
Diluc raised an eyebrow, "I don't like small talk."
"I know, I know," Kaeya tried not to look too disappointed, "you know, I think I do still have blabbing to do, care to listen?"
"Hmph."
Not a straight out no. Good.
So Kaeya talked, and talked, and talked. And Diluc responded back and added things. Oh archons, when was the last time the two of them had a conversation like this?
"So Klee threw her bomb straight up instead of into the lake to see if it would still go off. It definitely still went off. I swear I've never been so covered in dirt th--"
"Quiet for a minute Kaeya," Diluc snapped, his tone sharp.
Kaeya paused mid-word Oh. He must've-- no it's okay-- Diluc's just tired. Tired of you, his mind whispered. Tired of your voice. He found Diluc's eyes back on him again.
If I-- if I keep annoying him he'll start ignoring me then I'll be all alone-- the tears started to well up again. Oh, Barbatos how weak was he?
"Ah, okay," he choked out, avoiding Diluc's gaze, "I'll go."
He at least made it outside where the rain could cover his tears before he sobbed.
**
"Five berry mint blasts, one with no syrup, one with extra ice, one with no mint--" I was literally called a berry mint blast idiot-- "and the others with---"
Ugh, he needed to focus on the orders but he also wanted to hear the rest of Kaeya's story. The patron kept droning on and on, his voice sounded like he was still going through puberty. He was going to make them pay double.
"Quiet for a minute Kaeya." He hadn't meant it to come out so snappish, his annoyance at the patron adding to his tone. He winced, turning to Kaeya, about to rephrase.
The bluenette's mouth was parted, his eye wide and shimmering with tears, Diluc froze.
"Ah, okay--" Kaeya's voice broke, "I'll go." The man stood and exited before Diluc could call him back.
"Excuse me, bartender, hello, I'm still ordering."
Triple. He'd make them pay triple.
--
"Death After Noon please,' Kaeya had his head bowed, his hands gripping the edge of his shirt. His voice was quiet, cracking, trying to hold back tears. Diluc vowed to punch whoever did this to his little brother. He was so done with this 'prank'.
"Here," he handed the blunette the drink, trying to keep his voice soft and reassuring. Not his strong point but he tried.
Kaeya nodded then turned and started up the stairs to the second floor.
I really hurt him a lot by saying that... Diluc's guilt threatened to overwhelm him again like it had all last night when he remembered that lone tear streaking down Kaeya's face before he had run out the door.
When Diluc had kicked everyone else out he debated on what to do with Kaeya. Eventually he just let him sleep how he was, head buried in his arms, drink untouched in front of him.
After the cleaning was done he started back towards Kaeya's table, intending to wake him and see if he knew who started this whole fiasco.
"Kaeya," he tried to keep his voice low, non-threatening.
"I know, I know, way past closing time," a sob broke free from the still hidden face.
"Yes, but I need to ask you something."
Kaeya lifted his head, eye filling with hope along with tears, a hesitant, "okay," was spoken.
"Do you know who started this whole 'prank'?" Diluc spat the work with as much disgust as he could manage.
Kaeya's face fell a bit at the reminder, "no," he shook his head, the tears starting up again.
"Kaeya-- I--" Diluc hated it when his brother cried, especially because of other people, even worse because of him.
"It hurts so much 'Luc! What's even the point if no one will-- no one will even look at me?! I-- am I really that awful that it's better for people if they just ignore me?!" He sobbed harder and in that moment all Diluc saw was his hurt, small, little brother who needed him.
Diluc engulfed him, arms wrapping around his back, one hand firmly tucking into the bluenette's hair, the other rubbing the shaking back.
"You aren't awful. If anyone is it's the people doing this to you that are absolute----------"
Kaeya laughed, broken and wet, "Adelinde would've washed your mouth out for a week if she heard that."
"Probably," Diluc squeezed tighter, feeling Kaeya's grip on the back of his shirt loosen.
"'Luc?"
"Yeah."
"I don't think I can go back out there."
"Stay here tonight and I'll come with you tomorrow, okay." that seemed to elicit another round of sobs from the younger.
"O- okay," Kaeya pulled free, shakily wiping his eye, "sorry."
"For what? People have been bullying you and you came to me and cried. Nothing, absolutely nothing, is wrong with that."
Kaeya smiled, eye red and puffy, "okay. Thanks then."
They slept like little kids again, facing each other and talking for hours until Diluc saw that it was almost five in the morning and they finally fell asleep, curled next to the other.
-
Diluc marched up the Favonious headquarter's steps, glaring at the two guards stationed there. Dragging Kaeya inside by the hand he stalked to the door to Jean's office, he could hear voices inside.
"Okay, one squeeze if you want me to punch someone, two if you want me to kick someone in the face, and three if you want me to murder someo--"
"No killing Diluc. Just, talking, hopefully calm talking." Kaeya gripped his hand harder.
"I want to punch somebody. They deserve it."
"I-- fine, but only one person."
Diluc rolled his eyes, "you're too nice."
"I know, I know," Kaeya took a shaky breath, "let's go in."
Diluc didn't bother to knock, just burst in, Kaeya behind him.
Eula, Amber, Jean, and Lisa stared back at him, surprise evident on their face.
"Uh, Master Diluc, to what do we owe the pleasure?" Jean started, obviously confused.
"Oh. Playing ignorant are we?"
"Diluc," Kaeya whispered, "please." But no, Diluc was not going to be nice. These people hurt his baby brother.
"I'm not sure what you mean..." Jean tilted her head, holding out an arm to stop Eula who had already drawn her sword.
"You don't huh?! Really. How low can you get?" Diluc glared, the temperature in the room spiking. Amber took a step back.
"No, we don't. Please, Diluc we aren't in the mood for games." Jean matched his stare.
"Not in the mood for games?! How funny. Then what do you call the sick one you're playing right now?!"
Kaeya grabbed his arms from behind, as if trying to hide, he probably was, his fingers dug into the fabric of the redhead's coat, "Diluc. Please, if they don't-- if they really want to continue then---" A sob came out, quickly followed by another.
Diluc looked back as Kaeya snaked his arms around his middle, burying his face into the back of Diluc's coat.
"Sick." Diluc interrupted whatever lies Jean was spouting now.
"You'd really continue. Really."
Kaeya gripped harder, "please Luc--"
"I'm done here." Diluc turned, Kaeya switching to hold his arm, and slammed the door behind him so hard it broke a hinge.
"Sick, sick, sick." Diluc stomped down the hall to the Cavalry Captain's office, Kaeya's hands still gripping his arm.
Kaeya slumped down against the door, dragging Diluc with him, his breath coming in short bursts between sobs. Diluc wrapped his arms around Kaeya again, stroking his hair.
"I'm here, okay. I'm here, everything is going to be okay." Diluc rubbed his back, vowing to get one of Klee's bombs to blow up Jean's office, preferably with her inside.
"Is this how they-- how they throw me out?" Kaeya choked out, "I'd rather them-- t-tell me but," he laughed, awful and broken, "it's what I deserve, is it not?"
Diluc gripped tighter "No, Kaeya. No. You deserve so much better and I can't believe I ever thought that they could take care of you. Archons I swear--"
When Kaeya's sobs slowed Diluc finally loosened his grip and pushed the younger back so they saw eyes to eye.
"We are going to go to the Winery, okay. We'll deal with this when you feel better."
"O-okay--" Kaeya nodded, swiping at his tears.
They left, gladly not running into anyone from the meeting they interrupted. The walk through town was fine, no one acknowledged Kaeya and Diluc had to keep himself from yelling at all of them.
When they got away from people, though, the walk was much more enjoyable. They picked flowers by the roadside and Diluc eventually got Kaeya to laugh.
When the Winery came into view Kaeya hid behind Diluc again, hand finding its grip on the thick dark brown coat. They passed workers who spoke to their Master but none even seemed to notice Kaeya. They could all get fired then.
They stepped inside, leaving the vineyards and the bright sun behind them. Kaeya stood to his side now, instead of behind. Good, he felt safe in here.
Adelinde rounded a corner, "Master Diluc, welcome home."
"Addie."
Kaeya raised a trembling hand, "hello Addie."
She didn't even glance his way.
Kaeya's eye widened, glistening again, "oh..." He turned, trying to run out the door but Diluc caught his arm, holding it tight.
"Master Diluc, is something wrong?"
Addie? Diluc couldn't believe Addie could be cruel. There was something else at play here...
"Wait," Diluc tightened his grip and Kaeya stopped struggling. His gaze on the floor he whispered, "L-Luc, please let me g-go--"
Adelinde's hand found Diluc's, she gasped. Slowly her fingers traced over Kaeya's palm and intertwined with his.
"Is this---?" She looked to Diluc for confirmation. He nodded.
"Master Kaeya?" She didn't even get to finish the name before Kaeya had thrown himself at her, almost knocking her over with the force of his hug. He sobbed.
"You can't see him? Or hear him?" Diluc asked.
"I- I can't but... he's crying isn't he?" The redhead nodded.
***
So it was some sort of curse. One that made it so no one but Diluc could hear or see Kaeya. It was so obvious that's what was happening that Kaeya felt stupid. Or he would if he wasn't stuffed to his brother's side gripping his hand while eating pancakes.
"Are you sure you want to go today?" The redhead asked, failing to eat properly with his left hand since his right was currently in the process of being squashed to death.
"...Yeah, I think we should fix this as soon as possible." Kaeya downed his orange juice.
"What did he say?," Adelinde collected their plates.
"That we need to fix it soon," Diluc tried to save his only half eaten stack but failed, to Kaeya's amusement.
"I agree, I want to see him again."
*
"Both of you be safe. Master Kaeya where are you?" Adelinde held out her hands and Kaeya took them, she traced his arms up to his shoulders and head, cupping his face she brought his head down to press a kiss to his forehead then hugged him.
"We will be," Diluc turned to put on his coat, trying to get his hair to stay flat at the same time.
He turned to find... Adelinde staring right at Kaeya, eyes open wide.
"I can see you." She whispered.
"Father was right," Kaeya's face looked like it was about to split from the width of his smile, "you are magic, Addie." She giggled, shaking her head in fond amusement.
"Go now, they'll be wondering where you've been then. But, I swear, if you two aren't back for dinner I will come drag you here myself, understand?"
"Yes Addie," the brothers both said then snorted at their synchronicity.
"Ah, Master Kaeya! Didn't realize you were here," Tunner called, waving. Kaeya grinned, waving back.
The city was a similar story. Most everyone called out greetings to their missing Captain and he replied, gracious but always sticking close by Diluc's side.
"Mister Kaeya! There's a new spot to go treasure hunting, want to go with us?!" Bennett hopped up and down, excited. Kaeya ruffled his hair, "sorry kid, got some stuff to do with Mister grumpy over here, next time though, promise."
"Oh, okay! Wish me luck then! Or don't, it probably wouldn't work anyways."
"Good luck Benny, may you find all the treasure in Mondstadt."
"Thanks Captain," the boy ran off.
"Grumpy?" Diluc raised an eyebrow.
"Very," Kaeya smiled, a bit wetly, then paused. They'd reached the last flight of stairs to the headquarters.
"I still get to punch one of them. You promised." Diluc muttered.
"Luc, we know the reason now. No punching."
"You're not the one punching them. Why do you care?"
"Cause if you punched the Grand Master you would have to be escorted to prison which would leave me to face Addie's wrath alone."
"Fair point," Diluc grumbled, ignoring the guard's salutes to Kaeya.
Kaeya paused outside the office door and took several deep breaths. Diluc stood beside him and grasped his hand, hopefully a reassuring touch. The blunette smiled, gripping harder then letting go and opening the door.
"Kaeya! Where have you been? We've been worried sick, no one's seen you since Monday!" Jean rushed to him, checking him over for injuries. He smiled, "long story short. I was turned invisible to all but grumpy redheads and the curse was broken by a mother. Technically not a mother but still counts."
Jean blinked, "... what?"
"Basically you couldn't see or hear me and no one else could except Diluc, who chose violence."
"Hey!" Diluc burst out then cleared his throat, "My apologies for breaking your door, Grand Master."
"Ah, Master Diluc, thank you for the apology-- Wait, yesterday, was Kaeya with you?!"
"Yes. We both believed that you were pulling some sort of prank that included you and several others ignoring him."
"You thought--? Oh Kaeya I would never--!"
The blunette smiled, "I know, I know, just in the moment I got upset. I'm fine now."
"Oh, Archons. The papers on Tuesday that were knocked to the floor then picked back up that was you...." Jean sat in her chair, putting her head in her hands.
"Yup."
"I thought it was-- well-- Barbatos playing tricks on me. Stop laughing! I know it's silly but it looked like the wind did it!"
"Sure," Kaeya chuckled, "anyway, now that this is all sorted out, we are to be executed if we do not return to Diluc's mother. We must go."
"Diluc's--- I'm sorry, what?" Jean spluttered.
"Not just mine. Yours too, Kae." Diluc opened the somewhat repaired door.
"I'll see you tomorrow Jean, okay. Get some rest or I will do exactly what I wrote."
"You will not." She glared as the door closed.
"What do you threaten to do?" Diluc hooked arms with Kaeya, walking out the headquarters.
"Carry her bridal style while announcing her presence to all of Monds."
"Remind me never to get sleep deprived in your presence."
"Doing it to you would be so fun! The great Master Diluc!! May I present, the most soulless man in Monds!!"
"Shut it!" Diluc hissed.
"I will not!"
"I'll make you!"
"How? Glaring at me?"
"You're still ticklish, I can tell."
"No. Absolutely not."
"Translates to yes. I'm still ticklish and should start running."
"At least let me out of the city first!!!"
"Fiiiine," Diluc smirked.
"Help! Barbatos, I'm being assaulted!"
"You're so dramatic."
"That's why you love me."
"Hmmph."
They laughed all the way home.