The Bridge Between Us - Diluc & Kaeya x sister!OC

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"It's such a wonderful day outside", Collei breathed the the fresh air and she and Daphne took a stroll through the Avidiya Forest. It really had been a nice day, lucky for them no rain had been expected.

"I agree, I've always found the outdoors so peaceful. Especially here in Sumeru", Daphne said. The two kept talking until they stumbled upon a big tree. The green haired girl beamed and ran towards it immediately, the other running after her swiftly. "Huh?— Collei wait!"

The younger girl began to climb the tree, something she hadn't really done before due to her prior illness. Eleazar really caused Collei to be fatigued, not to mention that her mobility was starting to deteriorate as well.

"Collei! Get down, you're going to get tired and hurt yourself!", Daphne gently scolded, worry filled her tone. Collei's eyes widened slightly as she looked down with a frown on her face. "I'm ok, Eleazar is gone. Remember?...", she awkwardly reminded.

Daphne seemed to get the hint. "Oh— yes, you're right. Sorry, I just— I'm sort of used to worrying about you", the girl rubbed her arm, avoiding her friend's gaze. Collei slowly got down from the tree and went over to her friend.

"Daphne...are you ok?", she asked, placing a hand on the older girl's shoulder. Daphne nodded quickly, "Of course! Don't worry about me, I'm fine. It's just, I'm a little upset that I wasn't present when you were cured"

Collei raised a brow, confused by why she'd feel upset. "Oh? Uh— why?", she asked. "All that time ago, I promised you I'd find a cure to your Eleazar. I couldn't even do that, so the least you'd expect me to do is be present when you were cured. I feel like I failed you in a way...", the older girl admitted.

"Failed me?...", Collei seemed a bit shocked. "Daph, you've helped me in ways I could only imagine I'd be helped", the younger girl grabbed her friend's hands. "Other than Amber, you've really helped me become the person I am today. Without you, I don't know how life would be right now", Collei sent her a gentle smile.

"Thanks, Collei", Daphne smiled back, embracing Collei in a hug. A rustle could be heard in the leaves, and the two immediately pulled away from each other. "W—What was that?", Collei seemed rather paranoid. Daphne immediately put her guard up.

"Whoever is there, you've already exposed your hiding spot. Show yourself!", she proclaimed. More rustling was coming from the bushes, Daphne was about to strike when a certain floating pixie toppled out of the bush.

"Ow! Hey that hurt Paimon!", the floating fairy complained. Her traveling companion, Aether, had emerged from the hiding spot not too long after. "You we're bound to fall out anyway", the blonde justified himself.

"Traveler!" "Aether!"

Fear and caution left both girls immediately when they recognized their friend. "What were you doing in the bushes?", Collei asked. Paimon giggled, "Paimon wanted to play a small prank— but that didn't turn out as we planned it to"

"It was a nice try, though I seriously could've injured you if you hadn't revealed yourselves", Daphne crossed her arms, a smiled spread on her face. This sent shivers down Paimon's spine, "So scary— Paimon would've been dead meat"

Aether chuckled at his companion's comment, she sure did have quite the interesting analogies. "Sorry if we really frightened you two, how's it going?", the blonde traveler asked his friends.

"It's going great! Oh— I'm assuming you're here to fetch Daphne?", a hint of sadness filled Collei's voice, and both Daphne and Aether felt slightly guilty about cutting the reunion short. The older girl gave Collei's head a gentle pat, "I'll be back soon, Collei! You can count on me"

Aether nodded in agreement, he'd do his absolute best to make sure Daphne returns in one piece. This is the Fatui they were dealing with. "I'll be sure she comes back in one piece", he smiled. Daphne feels her face heat up out of embarrassment, "Ah— Aether!"

The boy laughs lightly, how he was the teaser. "Don't worry! Paimon will protect her too!", Paimon confidently puts her hands on her hips, and the two girls couldn't help but giggle. "Why yes, my lovely knights in shining armor", she dramatically posed. Of course, she'd learn a few things from Fischl.

"Alright, be safe you guys! You should probably let your brothers know you're leaving", the younger girl suggested. "Right! Paimon doesn't think they'll be too happy if we leave without warning", Paimon said.

So the four of them headed back to Gandharva Ville to say their goodbyes. Upon arriving there, they found Cyno, Tighnari, and the two guests from Mondstadt conversing with each other. Tighnari being the first to spot the group headed there way, "Ah, Traveler. Looks like you've arrived"

Everyone else turned their attention to the four. "Oh? Leaving already?", Kaeya questioned. "Unfortunately, yes. It's best if we figure things out now", the Traveler said. Diluc sighed, "Well then, I wish all three of you safety during your travels"

"I'll meet up with you in a minute", Daphne waved off her friends as she stayed to talk with her brothers. A few seconds of silence washed over the trio, the girl taking in a deep breath. "Nervous?", Diluc asked.

"If I'm being honest, yes I am", she shrugged. "You can always back out if you feel uncomfortable", Kaeya reminded her. However, she shook her head. "No, I'm not a person who gives up", Daphne inquires. She smiles as she embraces both her older siblings in a hug.

"Be safe..", Diluc says. Daphne is released from the embrace as she heads off after her friends. "Oh by the way...", she turns back towards the two. "Try not to kill each other when I'm gone?", Daphne teased. Kaeya laughed, "Why would we?", he swung an arm around his brother's shoulder. "Shut up", Diluc swiftly and harshly, pushed his arm off his shoulder. Daphne couldn't help but smile as she started her new adventure with Aether and Paimon.