Chapter Text
The Loud sound of swords clashing together filled the Mondstadt training ground, the two young men sparring viciously in the center, making all the noise.
The shorter boy swung his large claymore at the latter. The boy ducked his head, swinging his own gleaming sword for a block. The Taller boy’s blue hair covered his eyes as he ducked to avoid the swing.
“En’ guarde!” The blue-haired boy swung his sword, pushing the hair out of his face. “You’re getting a bit slow, huh, Luc?”
The shorter boy huffed in response, a drop of sweat rolling down his brow. “Slower? You must be joking, Kaeya.” The shorter boy, Diluc, swung his sword upwards, slamming it into the ground beneath Kaeya’s boots.
Though there was a perfectly good training ground near the Favonius headquarters, the two boys preferred the one they made for themselves, closer to the Winery.
The trees swayed gently in the quiet breeze as the two brothers threw themselves at each other like lions, sparring with quick, snake-like slashes. They seemed unafraid of hurting each other, or themselves.
Kaeya backed up slowly, dodging another attack from Diluc. His boot caught on a small rock behind him, and he let out a yelp as he fell backwards into the rough dirt.
“Hah!” Diluc cried in excitement, holding his sword close to Kaeya’s throat. “I win!”
“Hah?” Scoffed Kaeya, pushing the sword away with his rough leather gloves and getting to his feet, dusting off his pants. “I tripped! You did nothing! I could’ve won anytime, anyplace!”
“Well,” Diluc smirked. “I’m not the one who fell on my ass.” He dragged his claymore out of the dust. “Let’s get back to the winery, father is probably home by now.”
Kaeya sighed and picked up his sword, jogging after his brother. They walked side-by-side as they started towards the winery. The wind picked up, blowing through Kaeya’s long, blue-black hair, which he tied back into a low ponytail for training.
“The winds are getting stronger. Think there might be a storm?” Kaeya crossed his arms behind his head, squinting up at the dark clouds as though without a care in the world.
“Probably.” Diluc shielded himself from the wind with his arm as dust blew into their eyes.
Dark clouds loomed overhead, heavy and gray as the two brothers got to the entrance of the winery. The winds wailed around the building, sending the first few drops of rain showering down as the two boys entered. Kaeya and Diluc pushed their way through the door, fighting to get out of the rain.
“Damn!” Keaya shook his wet hair at Diluc who ducked away, laughing. “That started quickly!”
Diluc hopped on the spot, trying to take off his boot, not so amused anymore. “No shit, Kae. Holy, thank Archon, my boots didn’t get wet!” Diluc grumbled, looking at Kaeya who was pulling off his boots, not listening.
* * *
Later that night, thunder rolled through the winery walls and straight through the thin roof to Kaeya’s room. The noise growled deep as he lay in bed, rolling over on his side and pulling the blankets up over his head. No one really knew, but Kaeya was actually terribly afraid of the sound of thunder.
Kaeya got up out of bed and walked down the short hallway with his blanket wrapped around his shoulders. He hesitated, then knocked on Diluc’s bedroom door. “Luc?” He pushed the door open a crack.
“Kae? What’s up ?” Diluc groaned, sitting up in bed and pushing back his long red hair. His faded blue tunic hung low over his collar bone, showing his well muscled chest.
“Can I sleep in here tonight? The thunder is a little-” Kaeya flinched as the Crack of lightning split the silence, followed by the roar of thunder. “Loud…” he gulped.
Diluc sighed. “Come ‘ere.” he pulled back his blankets and patted the sheets beside him. Keaya bounded over quickly and slipped in beside his brother.
“Still scared of thunder are you?” Diluc asked, shuffling back under his blankets.
“N-no… it was just… loud… and cold… your room is warmer anyways,” Kaeya lied, scotting closer to Dulic as thunder growled, and the lashing of rain attacked the house.
“Sure,” Diluc yawned, wrapping his arm around Kaeya’s shoulders and closing his eyes. “Whatever you say, Kae.”
“Diluc?”
“Hm?”
“D’you think we’ll be brothers forever?” Kaeya whispered, looking at his brother’s sleep- slackened face. Diluc opened his amber eyes and stared at Kaeya.
“What?” Diluc snapped. “That’s a stupid question to ask, of course we will.” Keaya dropped his gaze to his hands, fiddling with some string poking out of his blanket. Suddenly, Diluc’s voice softened and Kaeya chanced a glance at him. “Why do you ask?” Diluc closed his eyes again and wrapped his arm more firmly around Kaeya.
“N-no reason… I just.. For some reason… I have this weird feeling in my gut…”