It Must be Love

Letdown

"There is a little boy inside the man who is my brother... Oh, how I hated that little boy. And how I love him too." ~Anna Quindlen

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"We're here," Noelle announces as the sun sets. A beautiful sunset fills the sky. Gold and orange and dance in the sky while a touch of what looks like brown which are the silhouette trees and greenery.

Also falling out of the cart Kaeya quickly exits. The maids of Dawn Winery spot Kaeya the chatter birds gasp and cover their mouths. Adelaide quickly jumps into action and catches the young child.

"Are you okay, Master Kaeya?" She asks putting the child down on solid ground. Adelaide looks at the horse then at the other two maids. "Moco, Hillie, go make yourselves useful and tie the horses down."

"Yes, Adelaide."

"Of course, Adelaide."

"Where's Diluc?" Kaeya asks, jumping up and down.

Adelaide shots a glance to Noelle who just shrugs. They mentally tell each other that they guess Kaeya doesn't remember anything past his current age.

"He's just-"

The door opens revealing Diluc; the adult version of Diluc. Everyone is silent.

Young Kaeya breaks the silence. He examines his brother who is much older than he remembers. "D-Diluc...? Is it really you...?" He whispers.

Diluc glares at young Kaeya which strikes fear into the boy. The childhood memory of young Diluc calling his name shatters with the death glare.

He hides behind Noelle's dress, clutching it as if it was his life support. His eyes are in between open and closed. He cannot decide if he wants to see him or not anymore.

Trying to discuss the situation Noelle says, "Master Diluc, Kaeya is over here to study to become a knight. Please help him."

Diluc sulks, "Great another activity to add to my already tall stack. Also why can't you teach him? You're a knight."

"I may be a knight but not in the fighting aspect. I can teach him everything in the handbook, but not how to fight. That's for you to do."

Diluc grumbles. "Fine." He looks to Adelaide. "Prepare dinner for Noelle and Kaeya."

"Yes, Master Diluc," she says with a bow along with the others as they quickly walk away to make the food and prepare the table.

"I should help," Noelle says and walks toward the door, but Kaeya's hand stops her. He is still holding it tightly. "Kaeya, dear, can you please let go of-"

"No!" Kaeya yells curtly. "Don't leave me...with him." Kaeya glares at Diluc and Diluc glares back. He hides behind the Maid of Favonious's dress, not holding the skirt too tightly now.

Noelle squat down slowly so her dress doesn't fly up into the air. She removes the bluenette's hands from her dress and holds them in front of her now that she is at her level. "You're going to be okay Kaeya. Diluc is still your brother, he has changed from what you remember but he is still your brother. So don't be afraid," she whispers. "Okay?"

Kaeya catches a glance of Diluc, then looks back to Noelle who is wearing a smile. He nods. "Okay."

"I'll go get your handbook then we can go enjoy dinner," Noelle says going to the cart which is left in front of Dawn Winery and retrieving the book.

Kaeya and Diluc make eye contact. The adult continues to glare at the child. The latter has nothing to hide behind.

'Why is he glaring at me?' Kaeya thinks to himself, his curiosity taking over his fear. 'Did I do something mean to him when I was an adult? It's weird to think I was an adult. I don't remember being an adult.'