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Diluc runs through the halls of the manor, surprised shouts from servants trailing behind as he bolts through the hallway and down the stairs. He barely manages to give himself a spare glance in the foyer mirror, hurriedly fixing his askew cravat and combing down his messy hair, before he hears the front door open. He hears his father’s heavy footsteps approach from the drawing room and he goes to stand next to him as their guests are shown in. A heavy hand is placed on his shoulder and he stands up straighter as a man and his son enters.
“Ah, welcome Mr.Alberich.” His father says, hand leaving his shoulder to shake the other man’s outstretched one. They exchange pleasantries and Diluc eyes slide from the two older men to the other boy who is unashamedly staring at him. Diluc takes him in in return. They look roughly the same age, he’s a little shorter than himself and he covers one eye with long bangs that interest Diluc endlessly. He was never allowed to have his unruly hair cover his face always having it pulled up and away, something about how it’s improper or something of the sort. He notices with amusement that the other boys cravat is misaligned and before he realizes what he’s doing he’s crossing the space between them and straightening it out. Everything falls silent and Diluc freezes in realization. He doesn’t dare look back at his father, sure he was going to get a scolding for his impropriety when the other boy smiles and extends his hand.
“I’m Kaeya.” Diluc blinks owlishly at the hand before his manners return to him and he takes the hand gently but firmly.
“I’m Diluc. It is nice to meet you.”
He finds himself hopelessly attracted to Kaeya, he was just so different. He had a similar upbringing, he could tell easily enough, but he was allowed to do so much more things. His hair was just the beginning of Diluc’s observations, he wasn’t scolded for wandering away from company, he wasn’t forced into polite conversation and his father even allowed him to not answer questions or talk if he so pleased and worst of all he was allowed to stare. Diluc found himself on the end of those stares more often than not, and when he caught Kaeya all he got in return was a smile and a demure slide of his eye away from him which always left Diluc flustered. Kaeya Alberich was a confusing human.
They were currently having dinner when he catches yet another stare on his person. Diluc’s eyes flicker up quickly to see Kaeya looking at him with a gleam in his eye and Diluc hurriedly looks down at his food as his face warms.
“Diluc.” He startles at his father’s voice. He puts down his utensils and looks up, plastering on a polite smile.
“Yes father?”
“After our meal would you mind showing Kaeya around the property?” Diluc’s eyes subtly slide over to the other boy who seems to be enjoying this a tad too much.
“Of course, father.” His father nods his approval and Diluc’s smile looks like a grimace. He turns his attention back to his meal and wishes for this meal to drag on.
It decidedly does not drag on and before long Diluc finds himself awkwardly standing alone with Kaeya. The other has not said another word to him since this morning and the uncomfortable air grows until Diluc coughs. He turns on his heel and begins walking down a large hall, a silent command to follow, and thankfully he hears footsteps following him. He walks aimlessly from room to room, leading them in no certain path around the house. He gives short talks on the paintings and the books, as he was taught to do, and briefly talks about the rooms as well. Despite how large the house is, Diluc leads him outside into the garden in record time.
“And this is the garden.” he finishes. Diluc feels exhausted, he’s not sure how he’ll manage to this again and again in the future.
“Thank you for the tour. It’s a very grand house.” Kaeya finally speaks and Diluc bows his head slightly. Kaeya steps around him and begins to walk around the garden taking everything in. The red head follows behind slightly to make sure he doesn’t get lost in the maze of flora. Kaeya is a quiet person. There are no words spoken between them as they walk around the garden and Diluc realizes that the blue haired boy hadn’t spoken once that night other than to him.
“You don’t talk much do you?”
Kaeya turns and gives him a look. “What is there to discuss?” Diluc shrugs.
“I don’t know, something about your-” he gets rudely cut off,
“Would you like to hear about my studies? Or perhaps how my mother is fairing? Or maybe you would like to hear about this spectacular coat I bought? Well, Sir Diluc? Which would you like to talk about?” Diluc’s mouth snaps shut and he burns with embarrassment. Kaeya notices and he takes pity visibly softening, letting out a sigh, “I apologize for my behavior. It’s simply that pointless drivel bores me.”
Diluc kicks a pebble dejectedly and mumbles out, “Well, it doesn’t have to be pointless. You could actually tell me about yourself, about something you care about.” Kaeya freezes in surprise. It seems he judged Diluc too quickly, it looked like he wasn’t just another boring aristocrat boy, Kaeya smiles.
“I like you.” Diluc’s head snaps up quickly facing flushing red once more.
“H-huh? Where did that- what do you mean?” he stutters out. Kaeya laughs and Diluc’s eyes widen at the noise, it’s a musical laughter and the red head nervously smiles unsure what’s happening. Kaeya walks over and grabs Diluc’s hand before looking at him with a wide smile.
“You’re a funny one. I mean what I say, Diluc. I like you, you’re interesting.”
“I could say the same about you!” Diluc cries, his excitement getting the better of him as he waves their interlocked hand.
“Well I’m glad the affection is mutual.” Diluc gives him a shy smile and he opens his mouth to say something more when he’s cut off by his father.
“Diluc? Kaeya? Please come inside now. Mr. Alberich is preparing to leave.” The two boys look at each other before running inside, hands still interlocked. Kaeya takes the lead and guides them through the Ragnvindr house much to Diluc’s astonishment, and they end up at the foyer where their respective parents await them. Mr. Alberich spots their clasped hands and an eyebrow raises in surprise. He leans over to Mr.Ragnvindr and whispers,
“Well that’s new. My Kaeya never seemed to enjoy the company of the sons of the houses we’ve been to.” Mr. Ragnvindr takes a look at the two boys who are excitedly chatting, and he smiles.
“I’m glad he can find a friend in Diluc. You’re welcome back anytime.” he clears his throat and Diluc and Kaeya break apart and look at the two adults. “It makes us happy to you two such good companions but it is time for Mr.Alberich and Kaeya to head home now.” Diluc frowns but he nods and steps away from Kaeya. Goodbyes are exchanged and the Alberichs are heading out the door when Diluc rushes forward and grabs Kaeya causing the other boy to turn around in surprise.
“You’ll come visit again, right?”
“I promise.” Kaeya says firmly and then he grabs Diluc’s hand and presses a kiss onto it like he was a maiden. Diluc draws his hand back quickly, but he holds it gently as if scared the kiss will go away if he so much as touches it. Kaeya snickers and Diluc glares.
“I-I’ll be waiting! So don’t go back on your promise.”
“I wouldn’t even think about it.” Diluc nods satisfied and he watches Kaeya walk away with a smile on his face.