Chapter Text
Kaeya
Kaeya was on his way into Dragonspine for a routine patrol. Dragonspine patrols were his favorite—after all, with his Cryo vision, the frozen cliffs and biting winds felt almost like home. Normally—unbeknownst to Jean—he would pack a small satchel with a few essentials: a snack or two, and a flask of Death After Noon wine to keep him company while he spent the day “patrolling.” In truth, it was the perfect excuse to linger, lounge, and drink in the silence of the mountains.
But halfway up the road, Kaeya stopped short with a sigh. He’d forgotten the satchel. Both the food and the wine.
“Hm,” he mused aloud, tapping his chin with a gloved finger. “That won’t do.”
A slow smile tugged at his lips as another thought struck him. Diluc shouldn’t be home—he was almost always in town, buried in work at Angel’s Share. Adelinde, though, was bound to be at the winery. She’d certainly slip him a bottle or two if he asked sweetly enough. It would be their little secret.
Whistling to himself, Kaeya marched up the familiar path to the grand doors of Dawn Winery. He didn’t even hesitate, swinging them open with his usual flourish.
“Addie! I’m home!” he sang out, voice echoing warmly against the high ceilings.
The grin froze on his face as his single eye landed on the figure seated at the dinner table.
Diluc.
His brother sat stiffly in the chair, a glass untouched before him, staring directly at Kaeya.