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Kaeya took another sip of his drink, then carefully set the glass down onto the polished surface of the bar. Charles was giving him the usual pitying look that Kaeya returned with a crooked smile. He knew that he was rather pathetic in his endeavor to catch even a short glimpse of Diluc by coming to the Angel’s Share tavern every night, but of course that didn’t stop him.
Even after three long years Kaeya had never managed to bury his feelings for Diluc. However cold and dismissive he was treated, however painful the few encounters they’d had were, Kaeya always came back with a smile on his face and flippant words. Everyone thought that he didn’t have a care in the world, but that wasn’t true at all. Kaeya was lonely, yet he was a good enough actor that no one ever noticed.
When he finished his second Death After Noon, Charles automatically placed a new glass in front of him. Kaeya nodded at the man in thanks, leaning against the bar. It was warm and cozy inside the tavern, a stark contrast to the snow outside. It had been a while since Mondstadt saw this much snow and he’d even seen Venti gleefully play with Klee until she managed to somehow blow up their snowman.
Kaeya chuckled at the thought, then sighed inaudibly, before he emptied his drink with one long swallow. Tonight he wanted to forget, nothing else. There was no one to interrogate, no intel to gather, just him and his morose thoughts, on a day that should be a happy one. The last time Kaeya had actually celebrated his birthday seemed like aeons ago, when Master Crepus was still alive.
The memory of Diluc’s gentle smile flashed through his mind and he grabbed the glass, only vaguely remembering that he’d already emptied it. Charles was occupied with other customers, so he hadn’t refilled it. Kaeya debated whether he should leave and make his way to the Cat’s Tail to continue drinking there, because what was really keeping him here? Just like any other time he was here, Diluc wouldn’t show up, was probably busy being the Darknight Hero or avoiding him.
Suddenly the door opened, wind and snow bringing a flash of cold with them as a group of knights entered the tavern. Huffman nodded at him in passing and Kaeya saluted the knight out of habit. He didn’t look at the rest of the group, turning back to the bar so he could stare at his empty glass. The cold didn’t bother him at all, but Kaeya decided to just stay where he was.
“Kaeya.” He closed his eyes for a moment, trying to compose himself at the sound of Diluc’s familiar voice. How had Kaeya not noticed him until now? When he turned his head, Diluc was standing next to him, closer than he’d anticipated. His face was unreadable as usual and Kaeya schooled his features. He smirked and nonchalantly raised an eyebrow at the other man.
“My my, Master Diluc. Whatever do I owe the honor of you addressing me?” He rested his chin on one hand and looked up at Diluc through his lashes, who didn’t seem to buy his shit.
“I’d appreciate it if you could cease the unnecessary taunts, Kaeya,” Diluc replied in a flat tone and Kaeya lifted his hands to show that he was harmless.
“I can do that, I suppose. I’d ask what brings you here, but this is your tavern after all.” He chuckled and wondered if Diluc would soon lose his patience with him. Encounters like these were always hard for him, but Kaeya couldn’t for the life of him stop antagonizing the man. “So what is it you want with me?”
A rather odd look flashed in Diluc’s eyes for a second, gone before Kaeya had fully comprehended it. He crossed his arms in front of his chest, staring down at him and it made Kaeya slightly nervous. “I need your assistance with something. At the Winery.”
Kaeya raised his eyebrows and contemplated the request for a moment. He didn’t have anything better to do and following Diluc would enable him to spend at least a little bit of time with the other man. Going to the Winery for whatever Diluc needed of him meant that Kaeya could look at him without repercussions and without having to do it from afar.
“Sure, count me in.” He signalled Charles that he was ready to pay for his alcohol, but the bartender waved him off.
“It’s on the house tonight.” Kaeya stared at him, then Diluc, whose expression was still the exact same. This was odd, but who was he to refuse free alcohol? On his birthday no less. Ah, maybe Diluc felt like he had to give him a ‘gift’, for old time’s sake. How noble. He saluted the bartender and got up from his stool, sending a questioning look in Diluc’s direction, who marched towards the door and held it open for him.
“You’re such a gentleman, Master Diluc,” he quipped and walked past the other man, hearing a quiet snort.
“There’s a carriage waiting for us at the gate.” They walked quickly, but Kaeya took his time to observe the other man. Flurries of snowflakes made their home in the fiery red strands, glittering there for a brief moment before they melted away. He’d always thought that Diluc was beautiful, with his smooth alabaster skin, the soft hair and, back then, the gentle smile that Kaeya missed so painfully.
When they reached the carriage, Diluc opened the door for him again and Kaeya really started to wonder what was going on. “What do you need my assistance with?” he asked and sat down on the seat. Diluc followed him swiftly, their legs pressed together in the small space.
“You’re as impatient as ever,” Diluc remarked, staring straight ahead, “It can wait until we’ve reached the Winery. It is better to show you instead of explaining.” Kaeya nodded, not letting on how confused and nervous he was. Maybe Diluc had found another Fatui hideout and wanted his help to get rid of them? But that seemed kind of absurd, since he hated dealing with the knights.
The ride was silent and seemed to take a lot longer than normal, probably because his curiosity was getting the better of him. Here and there Kaeya glimpsed at Diluc out of the corner of his eye and he seemed rather tense, still staring ahead. He opened his mouth to say something, but decided to just close it again.
Finally the carriage came to a stop in front of the manor and Kaeya couldn’t get out fast enough. The place was brightly lit, light from lamps and the fireplace painting the snow outside the windows a bright yellow. It seemed like an eternity since Kaeya had last been there. He’d enjoyed living with the Ragnvindr family, but nowadays it didn’t feel like a home anymore.
“Are you just going to stare or will you come in?” Diluc interrupted his thoughts and Kaeya walked the few steps to the entrance. It’s uncharacteristically quiet inside, not a single person in sight. He’d expected Adelinde to greet them at the door, but no … nothing.
“Where’s everyone?” he asked and Diluc shrugged, while he hung up his coat.
“I gave them the evening off.” It didn’t seem like a big deal to him, but it just served to confuse Kaeya further.
“Ah, how nice of you. Will you tell me why I’m here now?” He followed Diluc into the study that once belonged to his father and noticed the ugly vase he’d bought on display in the hall. Kaeya was surprised that Diluc had put it there instead of throwing the ghastly thing. Diluc stopped in front of the door and seemed to search for the proper words. Instead he just shook his head and gestured for Kaeya to go inside.
So he did. A small table with two chairs had been put up in the space, the desk pushed back to allow for it. But that wasn’t the thing that surprised Kaeya the most. It was set for two people, plates covered to keep the food warm and a … cake?
“Happy Birthday,” Diluc murmured behind him and Kaeya whipped around, staring at the man like he’d never seen him before. He looked softer in the candlelight and Kaeya didn’t know what to say or do. Never in his wildest dreams would he have expected Diluc to arrange this for him.
“So you do care after all, hm?” he said quietly and Diluc sighed, softly closing the study door behind them, which caused him to step into Kaeya’s personal space.
“I never stopped caring.” The words seemed sincere, but brought up a whole lot of questions.
“And still you avoided me all this time …” He didn’t manage to keep the hurt out of his voice, couldn’t hide how vulnerable he felt in that moment. Diluc grabbed one of his hands and squeezed it gently.
“I had to think, find myself again after everything that happened,” he began and Kaeya felt himself tremble at the strong yet gentle grip the other man had on him, “It was difficult and at some point I did not know how to act in front of you anymore. Pushing you away seemed like the easiest solution.”
“For you maybe,” Kaeya murmured, “what changed?”
“I found my answer on how I want to proceed from here on out.” He pressed a gentle kiss to Kaeya’s knuckles and the brief touch made him shiver, because it was so unexpected.
“Diluc …” he whispered and stepped closer to the other man, nearly touching, but not quite. The gentle smile Kaeya loved so much played on Diluc’s lips.
“I knew you were looking for me when you came to the tavern every evening. I saw how sad you were, but I wasn’t ready to approach you, make things right between us. Now I am.” Kaeya could feel Diluc’s hot breath on his face, they were that close now, but he didn’t close the last bit of distance between them. “The question is, what do you want?”
Gently Kaeya cupped Diluc’s cheek and murmured a quiet “You” against Diluc’s lips before he finally claimed them with his own. Kissing him felt new, yet familiar and Kaeya couldn’t get enough. Their arms were around each other now, Diluc pressed flush against him, no more barriers between them.
Kaeya leaned his forehead against Diluc’s when they parted again, panting quietly. He couldn’t stop the wide grin and Diluc scoffed at the sight. “Don’t look so smug,” he grumbled and Kaeya laughed.
“I’m just happy. Won’t you let me enjoy my birthday present?” he teased and Diluc pinched the bridge of his nose in exasperation.
“You’re a menace. Let’s eat before the food gets cold so the cook’s efforts weren’t in vain.” Kaeya allowed Diluc to guide him to one of the chairs, smiling sweetly. This time it wasn’t his usual act, because he felt genuinely happy for the first time in three years.
They stole looks at each other while eating and Kaeya toasted Diluc, clinking his glass against the other man’s. “To the future,” he quietly said and Diluc nodded in agreement.
“Kaeya,” he started but stopped himself again, looking more unsure than Kaeya had seen him ever before. The smile dropped off of his face and regarded Diluc with all of the seriousness he could muster.
“Yes?” Diluc hesitated for a moment, then slid a small box with a light blue ribbon over the table. Kaeya stared at it, making no move to do anything.
“Open your present,” the other man urged him and Kaeya looked at Diluc, then at the box. Finally he took it and untied the ribbon, removing the lid. Inside, a key was nestled in a bed of dark blue velvet.
“Is that …?” Kaeya wondered, but even without asking he was fairly sure that it was exactly what he assumed it was.
“Yes,” Diluc licked his lips and looked at him intently, “Please move in with me again. It doesn’t have to be right away, but … I hope you’ll at least consider it.” When Kaeya chuckled at his words, Diluc flinched slightly, his expression back to being neutral.
“It’s either all or nothing with you, hm?” he commented, but quickly added, “I don’t have to consider it, I already know my answer, Diluc.” Kaeya hated the blank look on Diluc’s face, the way shut away his thoughts and feelings. With a flourish he got up and walked over to the other man, squatting next to Diluc’s chair and taking his hands. The slight tremble in them betrayed Diluc’s emotions and Kaeya smiled gently.
“Being away from you was the worst experience of my life, so why would I ever decline your request?” He pulled Diluc out of his chair and into his arms, hugging him tightly.
“Want to help me collect my things for the knight headquarters tomorrow?” he murmured and earned a chuckle from Diluc.
“Gladly, but I’m not setting foot into the place.” Kaeya snorted, having expected as much.
“Deal.” They kissed again and Kaeya lightly caressed Diluc’s back through his shirt, resenting the barrier between them. “Can I have dessert now?” he asked and narrowed his eyes. Diluc blinked in confusion.
“You want cake? Right now?” Laughter bubbled out of Kaeya, confusing the other man further. “What? Why are you laughing? Oh …” The light blush that stained Diluc’s cheeks was too precious.
“Let’s go upstairs and I’ll show you what I really want.”