#implied kaeluc

It was terrifying.

A Mondstadt that had a ruling body, a royal family of sort.

A world that was the same yet different to his own.

Same history, same origin.

The only difference was that the people had decided they still needed a king, a ruler to manage the knights, nobles and church as a whole. Barbatos had not rejected the idea, stating that it would still be a far better decision than their previous one, one that was still a choice made out of their free will, and in the end, many had chosen the Ragnvindrs to take the throne.

A decision that led him to where he was now.

It seemed that fate would still have his father taken from him by the Delusion he'd acquired.

Diluc sighed, looking out the window at the pale moon. Ironic, how he was truly called king within this version of Mondstadt. And unfortunately in this world, he could not leave to deal with the Fatui or the Abyss Order without his absence being questioned.

It mattered not though, as so much was still the same despite the altered history. Varka would leave on an expedition, Jean would take up the role as temporary Grand Master, Alice would arrive with Klee and leave like the chaotic storm she was, Albedo would arrive with her recommendation, Eula would defy her family's expectations and join the knights, the Outriders would be established and then fall apart, leaving Amber as the last member, Lisa would become head librarian.

And yet there was someone missing.

The timeline of events still remained the same. Diluc had utilized his memories and experiences from the other world as much as he could. Even if he could not work undercover like he used to, he would do his best to use his knowledge for their sake.

But then the lights went out.

As if snuffed by an unseen wind.

The moon was blotted out by clouds, suddenly plunging the room in darkness.

Diluc was quick to summon his claymore, looking at his surroundings. It had been too long since he worked in the dark, and his eyes were no longer as quick to adjust.

He breathed, and saw the vapor in the air. He could feel a chill that did not match the cool spring weather at the moment.

A Cryo user was in the same room as him.

Was he here at last?

A cool blade pressed to his throat, arms suddenly wrapping around him and trapping him against his attacker.

"Being asked to assassinate a king really is a lot harder than infiltrating a noble family, wouldn't you say? And yet here you are, so defenseless, not even protecting your back. It's like you're asking me to succeed, Master Diluc," a soft voice tickled his ear.

And Diluc relaxed, leaning into the "assassin".

"Kaeya," he said, and immediately, he was turned around, red eyes meeting the other's singular blue.

"You remember," Kaeya said. Eye wide with wonder. Joy. Devotion. An honesty in his expression that Diluc had not seen in years.

"Of course I remember," Diluc replied, a soft smile gracing his face. "How could I not?"

Kaeya frowned, "I thought you would not have had your memories, what with you being king."

"And when you did not turn up at the kingdom's door, I thought the same, Kaeya," Diluc sighed, "Considering the history of Mond is slightly different to the one we remember, I had thought you not showing up was yet another deviation."

But Kaeya was here. As his would be assassin. Khaenri'ah still sought Teyvat's fall then.

Diluc did not want them to fight. Did not want to chase Kaeya away. Not again. It had been a mistake in their old world. He was not making it again.

"Be my personal knight?" Diluc asked.

The singular starry eye searched his face for any lie, any deception. But Kaeya knew Diluc hated lying, and he could only sigh and give a wry smile.

"Make me Chief of Investigations and we have a deal."

"Done. It'll let Albedo focus on his work as Chief Alchemist anyways. Plus you always did handle those jobs, even if it was not your own."

"Still calling the knights ineffective even though you have greater control over their management now? Also, we were short handed, you can't blame me for doing those jobs."

"Not when you and Jean were so overworked, don't you dare think I never noticed! At least now I'm handling part of the responsibilities Jean had."

"She does looked less exhausted."

"... how long have you been looking for an opportunity to get in my room?"

"... a while?"

Things were the same yet different in this world.

But if there was one thing Diluc would make sure stayed different, it would be the state of his and Kaeya's relationship.

King and knight now, and perhaps to the world.

But both knew that it was so much more.

Hearing Kaeya complain about their opposing visions and being stranded, him vaguely referring to their childhood.

Diluc didn't mind, even if he now kept a more closed off front.

It was just, reassuring that Kaeya was comfortable enough to keep talking, comfortable enough to let Diluc doze on his shoulders as he continued to reminisce and complain.

(He was tired. So tired. He may have had energy to fight under the night of the moon, the energy to flick through reports and work with his network of spies, but in reality he'd been tired for far too long now.)

"Master Diluc?" he heard Kaeya ask. Kaeya's voice, smooth and sly but hiding a tone of worry under it all. It made sense. It had been a long time since Diluc allowed himself to be a bit more vulnerable, just as Kaeya was being a touch more open today.

No one was around to spy and gossip after all. No one to take advantage of either of their weaknesses to turn them against each other should the time ever come.

He heard a sharp inhale as Kaeya shifted suddenly, and Diluc found his head suddenly in Kaeya's lap, starring into a single starry eye.

"Was that why you kept trying to push me away?" Kaeya murmured, gently brushing a lock of red hair away from Diluc's face.

Had Diluc spoken aloud?

Kaeya snorted in amusement, "Yes, yes you have been mumbling aloud, 'luc. How tired are you that you aren't even noticing that?"

Very tired.

He wanted to sleep really.

"Then go ahead and rest, 'luc. I'll wake you if something happens, alright?"

And Diluc did, dreaming of summers and warmth and a smile so cheerful and honest that he truly missed on Kaeya's face.

AO3

Brain was thinking more cross dressing genshin again. Perhaps bc i was on pixiv the other day. But its only for a small bit in this fic.

Either way, been working on this on and off. I would like to think that though Khaenri’ah is cursed their people are still people considering how Kaeya’s father abandoned him. And ruined as they were, they were still a dynasty.

Meaning corrupt nobles for Kaeya and Diluc to kill off 

:)

Anyways do enjoy.

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Cursed as Khaenri'ah was, it was the common folk that suffered the worst of the curse. The nobles suffered too, but not to the extent as the commoners did.

Khaenri'ah was full a kingdom of cursed citizens and partially cursed nobles.

(The nobles were the ones who funded Gold, who pushed him and Rhinedottir to create more and more and when Gold finally trespassed where he shouldn't have, it was far too late and they were cursed as a collective for their transgressions.)

But generation after generation, the curse eventually got stronger. Fearing their eventual doom, angry at the above dwellers for ignoring them, the nobles sent their prince to be their spy. Their weapon. To destabilize the society above. And once he returned, he would be their puppet king, obeying their every whim and dancing to their tune.

Warning: unhealthy mindsets feat. Broken Diluc, implied Dark Kaeluc. Diluc Pov.

Take my strings.

Take control.