KaeLuc

"Hahaha... Who knows, perhaps we're fated to be doomed together. Right, Master Diluc?"

- Kaeya, Midsummer Island Adventure Event

KaeLuc is the slash ship between Kaeya Alberich and Diluc Ragnvindr from the Genshin Impact fandom.

Canon
Kaeya and Diluc first met as children, when Kaeya was abandoned outside of Dawn Winery by his birth father and taken in by Diluc’s father Crepus. We don’t know how old they were when Kaeya was abandoned, but he must have been at least 11 or 12 to understand the importance of his mission. The two became friends and saw each other as sworn brothers, and were extremely close in their teens. They were well known throughout Mondstadt and were so in sync that many thought they were like twins.

On the night of Diluc’s 18th birthday, he and his father were attacked while traveling home to the Winery. Diluc’s father was critically injured while defending Diluc, and it is implied in the webtoon that he had to kill Crepus himself to end his father’s suffering. Kaeya arrived too late to save Crepus.

That night, Kaeya revealed his true identity to Diluc — he was a secret agent from Khaenri’ah, who was planted in Mondstadt, as “last hope.” This led to a life or death confrontation between the two which ended with Kaeya receiving his Vision.

Soon after this, Diluc abandoned his Vision and left Mondstadt for three years.

The events of Diluc’s return to Mondstadt are unclear, but Diluc and Kaeya began working together again soon after, trapping a Fatui diplomat in the Winery’s cellar to interrogate him and sharing intel throughout the events of the webcomic. The two work together to resolve the Black Fire Incident, staging fights against each other and and purposefully getting Diluc captured.

At the end of the webcomic, Kaeya returns Diluc’s vision to him inside of a large ornamental vase. After this, Diluc takes up his vision once again. Despite claiming that he has no recollection of the vase, Diluc keeps it on display in the winery.

During The Darknight Hero’s Alibi, Kaeya purposefully sets up a situation involving Diluc and another Knight, Huffman, seemingly just to see how Diluc would react. Kaeya watches the show unfold and then tells Diluc that he’s happy that the latter now has an assistant when Diluc relies on the Traveler during the ensuing confrontation.

Kaeya and Diluc are also seen together in various other quests in the game, during which they typically exchange jabs at each other. During the Windblume event, despite snapping at each other, they also seem to have a short but normal conversation about how to improve business at Diluc’s tavern. They seem to have a confrontational relationship but are seen interacting often. Kaeya often attempts to provoke Diluc into sharing his true feelings or giving him a reaction, and Diluc in turn usually gives Kaeya a blank or emotionless reply. Diluc is highly critical of the Knights of Favonius, including Kaeya. The two both have extensive information networks within the city,

In the original Chinese text, Kaeya used to call Diluc "sworn older brother" (义兄 yì xiōng in Chinese), meanwhile Diluc refers Kaeya as "sworn younger brother" (义弟 yì dì in Chinese)  ''. Crepus refers to Kaeya as a "sworn son" (义子 yì zǐ in Chinese) in Kaeya's character story.

Voicelines
"Kaeya? You can only trust half of what he says... at best."

- Diluc's voice line about Kaeya

"You want to know what's in my glass? It's... grape juice. My drink of choice."

- Diluc's voice line about favorite food

"Diluc? He was cute as a young lad. But nowadays he just seems to be in a world of his own... Overall, not much fun to hang out with."

- Kaeya's voiceline about Diluc

"I don't like alcohol. It's just... I don't like how it feels in my mouth..."

- Diluc's voice line about least favorite food

"I can't believe that some people actually drink grape juice... if they had a little more patience, they would find that it ferments into the most exquisite wine. Hmph. So unromantic."

- Kaeya's voice line about least favorite food, mocking Diluc

Character Story Profile
"The other was the eccentric Kaeya. He was Diluc's friend, supporter, and sounding board, ensuring he got through every challenge he faced smoothly. They were almost like twins, knowing each other's thoughts and intentions without a word, protecting Mondstadt in both light and dark."

- Kaeya's Character Profile in Story 5

"Kaeya was Diluc's brother by adoption and was always by his side, but on this occasion, Kaeya did not partake in the final moments shared between father and son."

- Kaeya's Character Story Profile in Vision

"Since that day, Kaeya and Diluc have gone their separate ways. But he never discusses it, just as he never discusses the origin of his Vision."

- Kaeya's Character Story Profile in Vision

Story Quests
"Of course, we also have Master Diluc to thank the venue. Otherwise, we would be looking at quite an alarming bill right about now."

- Leo Minor, Jean's Story Quest

Manga
"May the Wind be with you, sir Kaeya."

- Diluc to Kaeya in both, Flame Born: Part 1 and Part 2

"You seem pretty cool despite all that crazy stuff happening out there, Diluc. You know what I am talking about."

- Kaeya to Diluc in Flame Born: Part 2

"Sir Kaeya... Saving Mond is your job. Try to do it properly next time."

- Diluc to Kaeya in Flame Born: Part 2

Midsummer Island Adventure
"I'll get to that. But first, I want to enjoy some of this island sunshine. Master Diluc might actually get a tan."

- Kaeya, Midsummer Island Adventure; Dodo-King of the Sea: Lying in Wait

"Paimon still can’t tell if you guys are really close or hate each other’s guts..."

- Paimon, Midsummer Island Adventure; Dodo-King of the Sea: Lying in Wait

"Anyone else find it hard not to crack a smile when Master Diluc says "Dodo-King"?"

- Kaeya, Midsummer Island Adventure; Dodo-King of the Sea: Lying in Wait

"And as for Kaeya... Hmph, he seems to be in high spirits. Even after all these years, he still enjoys summer as much as he did as a kid."

- When the player talks to Diluc and choosing the "About what happened today..." option.

"What's the matter? Diluc's scowl still bothering you? He's has that expression on his face for years now. He internalizes a lot of his feelings. So I'm afraid that his face is stuck like that. Just treat him like a big kid."

- When the player talks to Kaeya and choosing the "About what happened today..." option.

Of-Drink-A-Dreaming
"Ooh, are we gossiping about people who take themselves too seriously, now? Speaking of which, I know someone who could easily place in the ‘Top Three Most Serious People in Mondstadt’. As to their level of seriousness… Well, let me put it this way, they probably wouldn’t even flinch if I said that to their face."

- Kaeya, Of-Drink-A-Dreaming; When They Take Off Their Armor

Hidden Strife
"Recently, a group of businessmen returned to Mondstadt. Word is that the reason for their return is a downturn in business. According to my observations, their employees are regulars at Angel's Share. These people can also be found out in the more dangerous parts of the wilds around the city. Now, a few of them were a little careless and even dropped some pages of their notes on the ground. I took the liberty of returning these sheets to the Angel's Share. You know, out of the goodness of my heart. I think they might have something to do with you, seeing as how they were there. I also noticed that their notes were written in code. Information brokers, perhaps? Or some kind of secret organization? Whatever the case, it took quite a lot of effort to see those blurred words with only one eye, you know? Don't worry, I'll keep this a secret."

- A Letter in Beautiful Handwriting (IV)

"Messaged received. Thank you. Also, I suggest that you stop mentioning eyes in your letters. Don't think that I don't know that your right eye wasn't blinded."

- Letter Addressed to "K" (I)

"I heard that the Dawn Winery did not suffer any damage. Likewise, the Knights of Favonius only sustained minor injuries, and will recover quickly. However, an employee of a local merchant has gone missing, and their last known location just so happens to align with the Abyss Order's area of activity. The Knights have dispatched people to go to the rescue. Do be aware that the Abyss Order has become more dangerous as of late, even going so far as to organize multi-pronged offensives. Perhaps the Darknight Hero and the Knights of Favonius should team up. That might guarantee that things will go off without a hitch, hmm?"

- A Letter in Beautiful Handwriting (IX)

"Thanks for the letter. Cooperating with the Knights has objective pros and cons, like two sides of a coin. I'm sure you understand that better than I do. No need to worry about my safety. Self-preservation is easy. Striving towards my goal is hard. Take better care of yourself instead."

- Letter Addressed to "K" (II)

Of Ballads and Brews
"...So you see, you're the best person for this."

- Lisa, Of Ballads and Brews; Bonds of Melody

"Poor Razor. He grew up so fast, and he's still looking for his father. Master Diluc, we really ought to lend him a hand."

- Kaeya, Of Ballads and Brews; Bonds of Melody

"Wonderful. Always eager to help, and never forgets to return a favor. That's the Master Diluc I know"

- Kaeya, Of Ballads and Brews; Bonds of Melody

"Family, huh..."

- Diluc, Of Ballads and Brews; Bonds of Melody

"It's been a long time since I last saw Masters Diluc and Kaeya sharing a meal together. The atmosphere was... ahem, was not something that a maid of my lowly stature should be commenting on."

- Adelinde, Of Ballads and Brews; Bonds of Melody

"Looks like he's doing pretty well recently. Though he laughed all the way through dinner with Master Diluc, I could see that he was worried… If you're asking about the title, that's all in the past… Sorry, that was a slip of the tongue... Please forget I ever said that."

- Adelinde's Event Dialogue

Fanon
This ship is the second most popular slash ship after ZhongChi. The ship receives lots of direct conflict with its shippers and those who don't ship Kaeluc due to the common argument between adoptive brothers and sworn brothers. In the original Chinese text, Kaeya and Diluc are referred to as Sworn Brothers (which is a very popular boy love trope in China), which often tends to describe men who are not related by birth, but who swore loyalty to each other; in the English translation however, Kaeya and Diluc are explicitly depicted as brothers, the lack of blood relation isn't a factor against this.

Those opposed argued that Kaeya and Diluc are German and there is no excuse to use the trope, 'sworn brothers' although Germany has well as history with the term sworn brothers (called blutsbrüder in German), being very similar to China. As well stated by MiHoYo that the game will contain popular tropes and small bits of Chinese culture.

Fans of this ship have also noted that Diluc and Kaeya’s background share vague similarities with HoYoverse’s MC (“Rosa”) of their otome game, Tears of Themis, and one of her love interests, Luke Pearce. With Luke being taken under the care of Rosa’s parents after his parents’ deaths, and the two being raised together as family, growing close in their years together. The two then separate when Luke leaves Rosa and the city on his 16th birthday. Years later, they reunite and try to make up for their years apart, with Luke trying to keep his secret from her to protect her happiness.

Both Rosa and Luke have explicitly described each other as their greatest family member; Luke even goes as far as to call himself Rosa’s brother for as long as time would allow it and proposes to her by asking her to become his family once more. Coincidentally, the pairs even share similar elements such as Diluc and Luke’s bird and fire motifs and Kaeya and Rosa’s possible betrayals to their current loyalties hinted early on.

It is the most written ship for both Kaeya and Diluc on AO3. Kaeluc currently rivals Jeanluc which is Diluc's second most popular ship.

Fandom
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Trivia

 * The Twitter account of one of the illustrators of the official Genshin manga is almost entirely devoted to posting and reposting art with this ship.
 * Emojis like '❄️🔥' are used to reference the ship. With Kaeya being a Cryo user and Diluc a Pyro user. Another form fans use to reference the ship is using '🦚🦉' emojis as it refers to their constellation.
 * Aether can be seen reading a book with a Pyro Abyss Mage and Cryo Abyss Mage on the cover with hearts around him in the merch that is exclusive to the GENSHIN★FES 2021.
 * Their ship name in Chinese, 枭羽, consists characters of Diluc and Kaeya’s constellations. With 枭 (Owl) being Diluc’s, and 羽 (Feather) being Kaeya’s.
 * MiHoYo has retweeted KaeLuc fan art on their twitter account before.
 * In "Genshin Impact EP - At the Light of Dawn", Diluc is seen leaving Dawn Winery at night and returning at dawn. On the other hand, in "Klee and Kaeya's Mondstadt Tourist Information", a video available in the Japanese Genshin Youtube account, Kaeya enters Dawn Winery at night and leaves at dawn.
 * In the same tour video, Kaeya describes Diluc as "In many ways, a flawless gentleman". (いろんな意味であいつは完全無欠の紳士だよ)
 * In all the voiceovers except English, Adelinde's voiceline translates to "*sigh* When will Master Diluc finally make up with Young Master Kaeya?".
 * Kaeya is referred to as Diluc's "brain" (头脑) instead of "sounding board" in the Chinese version.
 * Unlike other social media accounts of HoYoverse, who posted on February 16, 2021, the official Japanese Genshin Twitter account posts the Lantern Rite art of the pair on Valentine’s Day 2021.
 * When Kaeya tries to convince Diluc into adding starters and mains in his tavern's menu during the Windblume Festival, he tells Diluc that "his mouth feels a little lonely" (嘴里有点寂寞呀) in the original and other translations.
 * When Kaeya argues that he would be asleep on one of the other islands had Diluc possessed a Geo vision instead of a Pyro one, he uses singular pronouns in the original and majority of translations. However, in the Japanese Translation, Kaeya uses the pronoun "we" (俺たち), translating into "If you had a Geo vision, we would be asleep on one of the other islands".
 * For Kaeya’s 2021 Birthday Art, he holds a bouquet of Calla Lillies and Cecilias. In the webcomic, Diluc is shown to have a garden of Cecilias. Not to mention that Calla Lillies can also be found in Dawn Winery.
 * Diluc has two versions of his Japanese Character Miscellany, one narrated by Tsuda Kenjiro (Dainsleif's JP VA) and the other narrated by Toriumi Kousuke (Kaeya's JP VA), being the only character to get this treatment so far.
 * Posted on White Day 2022, Kaeya makes chocolate with added wine suited for those who don’t drink, using ingredients provided by a bartender. He also adds that the chocolate’s taste brings back old memories. Based on those information, shippers believe that Kaeya used ingredients given by Diluc and intended to make the chocolates for Diluc.
 * The art of Kaeya contains wisterias on the background, which can have romantic connotations such as “Don’t leave”, “Drunk in Love” and “Welcome” among many other meanings.
 * Wisterias also do not bloom in time for White Day as they typically flower on late April and early May, a time where Diluc’s birthday falls in place.
 * During their cast interview, Kaeya and Diluc's Japanese VAs answered each other's character when asked about characters that caught their interest.
 * Ono Kensho (Diluc's VA) states that Kaeya definitely seems interesting from Diluc's perspective.
 * Toriumi Kousuke (Kaeya's VA) says he is given more instructions from the directors and that they pay attention to detail when recording scenes with Kaeya and Diluc, which is why he is keen to see how their story develops.

Variations

 * DCKZ refers to the two, Tartaglia and Zhongli