Knot

ㅤ In the forest before sunset, Kaeya gazed at a boiling cauldron, emitting a temptingly delicious aroma. Pieces of fresh game, vegetables from their meager supplies, and spices were turning into a rich broth that tickled his nostrils. Nearby, the dog, a comrade in arms, was gnawing on bones. But Kaeya was more interested in the cook. Who would have thought that the notorious fate, with the help of the accursed Abyss Mage, would arrange such an interesting meeting. Kaeya recognized him immediately, despite the passage of years. They had last seen each other as children. The boy had grown into a handsome young man, also with long, raven-black hair of a slightly darker shade, falling loosely below his shoulders. His gray eyes were a far cry from Kaeya's icy-blue. But the voice… Whether in childhood or now, broken by age, it remained one for both. The same notes, the same intonations, the same manner of speaking. They would surely have understood each other with just a glance, had their father allowed them to grow up together. But Yuri didn't remember him… His younger brother, born on the same day, the same year. He couldn't even say where he actually came from, certain he'd always lived in Terca Lumireis. He wasn't lying; Kaeya would have understood instantly. Kaeya could just imagine that rainy day, like now, when his father had abandoned him to a strange family with bleak instructions, forcibly dragging away his brother, desperate to stay with his sibling. It seemed their bond was unbreakable, that they would always be together, or at least feel each other as they always did… How easily that bond had been broken. Kaeya couldn't help but smile at the bitter irony. Once, Kaeya envied his brother: he'd stayed with their father. Sometimes he wondered how his life might have turned out if they had switched places. When he met Yuri, he suddenly realized things hadn't turned out so badly. At least Kaeya had a family, albeit a stranger's, who gave him care and love… which compounded his guilt. Yuri grew up on the streets. Survived… Unaware of his past. But also unaware of his cursed blood. "It's ready," Yuri announced calmly, pulling the bowl over. He generously diluted the broth with meat. "It's not as interesting as your skewers, but you'll appreciate the taste," he smiled, handing over the simple-looking dish. Yuri could have decorated it like a restaurant chef, but what's the point of fussing over food in the field? "The smell alone speaks volumes," Kaeya replied with the same smile and the same voice. Yuri's gaze flickered, though his expression barely changed. Subtle features, barely perceptible. Remnants of the memories that Kaeya had so recently called upon lingered in his subconscious, but they refused to surface. The modest but incredibly delicious meal was drawing to a close. Yuri had been generous with the portions, so no more was needed unless one of them was literally bursting. Kaeya studied his brother furtively, noticing small details. A warm glance at the dog. Yuri didn't look unhappy. There was something dark about him, but it was unlikely anyone else would notice it easily. Doubts… "Have you ever regretted anything? That your life turned out the way it did?" Kaeya asked suddenly. He delved into his past, comparing. His heart stabbed. Yuri thought for a moment: did he regret anything? However, he answered simply: "No. I am quite satisfied with my life." "Didn't you ever want to end up in the family of a wealthy winemaker, say? As a natural son or an adopted one?" Kaeya mocked himself. He was being ironic, trying to distract himself from the pain in his bleeding heart. "I don't like rich people," Yuri winced slightly, "and I don't aspire to be one of them, and I never have. Otherwise, it wouldn't be me if I were born into a noble family." "…Are you happy?" Kaeya asked after a short pause, understanding and almost hopeful. A frank conversation without unnecessary details. Through it, Yuri felt Kaeya 's pain. His concern… He didn't remember him. The suspicious questions about his family and past at their first meeting had initially alarmed him, but now he realized that Kaeya knew much more about him than Yuri himself. And for him, Yuri was an important missing link. "Yes," he nodded. "So stop looking at me like you're about to cry," Yuri said, turning away, feeling slightly awkward. Kaeya only laughed. "You won't get me that easily!" "That's right." Yuri allowed his smile to give way to a sharp gaze. "You've forgotten the last time you cried." Two piercing gazes. Two brothers, seeing right through each other. And the thread between them began to knit itself again. The shaggy, torn ends, distorted by time and tension, were pulled towards each other. The special bond of twins, different only in appearance. "Perhaps someday I'll remember…" Yuri said thoughtfully. "No need," Kaeya interrupted his thoughts. "Otherwise, it won't be you anymore," he smiled softly. Kaeya was quite content with the current state of affairs. A happy brother in a world where Khaenri'ah didn't exist. He even dared to hope that the curse wasn't there, looking at Yuri. A strong desire arose to stay here, to embark on a new journey, letting go of the heavy burden of the past. For a brief moment, he felt a breath of freedom… ㅤ