Archive of Our Own ^beta

Breakfast at the Ragnvindr’s dining table isn’t a quiet affair.

The clangs of spoon and plates, milk or clear water being poured and the servants coming and going from the kitchen are only a few of the noises that could be heard from this time of the day. When the sun is barely up and the few birds twittered about around the rows of trees in their yard, the Ragnvindr manor would be busy with activity and life.

From its owner enjoying his breakfast while simultaneously dealing with urgent business agreement that couldn’t wait until he’s finished. To the several servants outside, hurrying to their post while grabbing a loaf of bread for their nourishment of the day.

And the owner’s two sons who always have something to say between them, chattering about their last night's dreams or what they are going to do for the rest of the day.

Which is why, the absence of one son is quite noticeable even when it is the quieter one who hasn’t turned up on their table.

Diluc doesn’t understand why Kaeya wouldn’t attend breakfast.

As far as he knows, his little brother wakes up even earlier than him. He always finds his little brother seated on one of the chairs, happily munching his breakfast after he’s cut them into little, biteable pieces. Or slowly sipping his milk from the glass with this pleased, satisfied look on his face. Kaeya never misses breakfast as he always chides him instead whenever he misses it.

So to not see Kaeya at breakfast, bugs him greatly.

Not even his father said anything regarding his other son’s absence. In his hand and front table strewn about pieces of papers; important ones for the winery, Diluc guesses. There’s a pen between his fingers as his father hums and writes occasionally, giving a few papers his greater attention. He frowns at the nonchalance his father shows, how seemingly unaware of him not to notice that Kaeya hasn’t even come out of his room.

“Dad...” he calls, a pout adorning his face. From across the table his father shifts his attention toward him, taking off the glasses perched on the slope of his nose, “Yes?” he is replied, inquired about the interruption.

“Where’s Kaeya?” Diluc asks; straight to the point.

With his business ‘friends’, his father likes to go round and round, discussing words that don’t have anything to do with grapes or business. He had the unlucky experience of having to sit through one of such pleasantry. Without Kaeya or any books available for him to entertain himself, he has resorted to counting the clouds he can see or the white hair on that noble woman’s head.

Despite what grown-up adults had told him, to this day, he sees it as nothing but nuisance: to play host for a group of people who seemed even less friendly when his father looked away.

So he avoids talking in circles, preferring to ask his father straightaway.

“Kaeya did not feel good last night,” his father answers and he startles at the news, “...let him rest today”

Diluc opens his mouth, “He’s sick?” he asks and his father readily confirms with a nod, “...but today is--”

The glare his father gives shuts the rest of his sentence.

“Diluc, let your brother sleep,” comes the stern reprimand from his father and his lips quickly twist into a petulant pout, “...once he feels better, you can always ask him to accompany you again, but today, let him have a lot of rest, okay?” his scolding softens at the end, a smile is offered to him.

But that’s...not fair, he thinks, his fists clenching together atop the table, beside the half-eaten toasts and a bowl of lukewarm soup; chicken and vegetables, a light breakfast he had requested the night before so Kaeya could eat as much without upsetting his stomach.

It has been three days since Kaeya last snuck into his room, flustered as he explained how he has nightmares when he sleeps alone.

Three days since they stayed up the rest of the dusk to read the constellations from Diluc's bedroom.

One since he last saw Kaeya entirely.

Diluc misses him.

Especially since today is a really special day that Kaeya had promised never to miss as he also swore to never miss Kaeya’s.

He spends the rest of his breakfast visibly frowning, stuffing his face unenthusiastically with the buttered toast he favors and playing with the bits of chicken meat in his bowl until the soup goes cold. His father lets him have his episodes, only reminding him not to play too far today until lunch.

“The guests will come at twelve. You are excused from any lessons today,” his father says as he tidies up the rest of his papers and stands up, “...have fun today, son. I’ll be home by noon” a strong, calloused hand ruffles his red locks as he nods and bids goodbye to his father’s retreating back.

He drops his spoon onto the bowl of soup, uninterested to finish the rest of his meal. Without Kaeya to poke fun and converse with, his day usually grows duller with each hour. Diluc casts his gaze to the open window, bright with rays of gentle morning sun shining through the clear glass.

In contrast to yesterday’s dreadful weather, today looks beautiful, he notes. He had planned on dragging Kaeya to the garden to chase after wild bunnies or pick some grapes this morning should the sky clears, but his brother is not available and everything has to be scraped out of his plan for the day.

As he thinks up how he would spend the rest of his day until noon now, he catches sight of one of the maids with a tray piled with a glass of water and a steaming bowl of something. A thought passes his mind: if Kaeya couldn't come with him then he could come to Kaeya instead.

Immediately, he leaps off of his chair, chasing after the young woman and tugs gently at her sleeve. Her brown eyes flick toward him as a polite smile stretches across her tiny lips.

“Anything I could help you with young master Diluc?” she greets, bowing her head slightly.

He nods eagerly, “If that’s for Kaeya, I want to carry it” he puts out both of his hands, upturned palms facing the maid, ready to accept the tray of food. She blinks at his request, her smile falters for a moment before an even wider, fonder smile appears. Carefully, the tray is placed on his hands, the weight feels like nothing, “Be careful, young master,” she warns as she lifts her hands off of the tray, “...you may carry it, but I will accompany you until it is safely delivered to young master Kaeya’s room, will that be fine with you?”

Diluc nods.

Their footsteps reverberate across the empty halls of the manor; the click of her heels and his own softer falls of boots.

It is not odd to see how empty the halls are since other servants have left the private wings of the Ragnvindr as the three would usually be away from their rooms, doing their daily routine. Unless something needs to be done or cleaned up, their quarters are usually to be left alone; his father’s strict order.

He steps confidently though carefully so as to not spill any of the water or the soup.

Once they finally arrive to Kaeya’s door, he breathes a sigh of relief to see both food and drink unharmed and whole. The maid gives the door a knock for him, announcing her presence to deliver the food in a firm voice, not too loud so they wouldn’t disturb if Kaeya is still asleep nor too soft that he wouldn’t hear if he’s awake.

After a brief pause of no answer, she turns the knob lightly, pushing it as softly as she could. The door makes a creaking sound that makes them both flinch. He quickly snaps his gaze toward the bed and eases at the sight of his sleeping brother, wrapped safely in the blanket. Kaeya looks small in his bed, adorably so, especially under the blanket like that.

“May I excuse myself, young master Diluc?” the maid asks and he blinks out of his stupor, his mind berates him for forgetting that he’s not here by himself.

Diluc nods, “Yes, I can handle the rest, thank you miss...” he trails off, not knowing which name to call her with.

“Adelinde...” the maid replies, “...that is what master Crepus calls me with...” she bows once more toward him before she steps back to allow him entry. Her dainty hands gesture to the room, at Kaeya’s sleeping form. She gives him the ‘go ahead’, stepping away when he enters the room and closes the door as softly as she can behind him.

Adelinde...he will remember her name to express his gratefulness.

But now, he lifts his head toward Kaeya’s sleeping form, now he has a brother to take care of.

He sidles up to Kaeya’s bed, noticing the bucket of cold water atop the bedside cabinet and the wet rag laid across his brother’s forehead. Putting down the tray beside the bowl of water, he observes Kaeya, grimacing at the short pants and pained look across his pretty face. He knows Kaeya is often troubled by nightmares, Diluc always offers a spot on his own bed for his little brother to occupy whenever the terror is too much for him to handle by himself.

To think that Kaeya didn’t even come to him yesterday, seeking comfort.

No, he shakes his head, for now he has to be the good big brother and takes care of his Kaeya.

Delicately, he plucks the rag from Kaeya, nearly dropping it from how warm it is before dumping it into the water on the bowl. He almost regrets it when the splash of water nearly leaps into the bowl of soup. Once he deems the soup un-contaminated by the water, he turns back to Kaeya, placing his hand in an almost curious motion on his brother’s sweating forehead.

He retracts his hand swiftly, terrified by the temperature he feels from Kaeya. It’s too hot, he thinks in horror, is it really okay for someone to have such high temperature?

He takes the rag from the bowl, squeezing it until it doesn’t drip water anymore. Putting it back on top of Kaeya’s forehead, who sighs unconsciously in what he deems as relief. He stares at him, pokes at the soft flushed cheek and mutters under his breath,

“Please get well soon, Kae...”

Diluc has never been taught properly on how to take care of someone when they’re sick, but he observes enough of how the maid and his father took care of him when he was delirious with high fever. The memory stays with him even years after the treatment and he vaguely remembers how to do it in fragmented steps. He could try and find a book for proper treatment, but there’s no way he would leave Kaeya when he’s this vulnerable.

The wet rag wouldn’t help much, but it could at least alleviate the heat. From the cabinet, he retrieves a towel to wipe the sweat from any exposed skin that Kaeya’s clothing doesn't cover. The window needs to be opened since fresh air is good, he thinks, and when the clock strikes noon, the sun would be hot enough to warm the room.

When he simply watches over Kaeya, he picks up a book from the assortment that his little brother likes to borrow from their father’s collection. Most of it is historical lessons, but between the thick, boring tomes, he finds fairy tales that he reads with Kaeya, children books full of illustrations and charming stories.

He reads both.

A few hours later, Kaeya makes a sound. His eye is fluttering open as his lips part to let out a breathy cough. He quickly returns to the chair by the bed and helps him up, taking the rag off of him. Kaeya is sitting still on the bed, but at least conscious enough for him to speak with. Though it seems that dim blue eye has yet to register his presence entirely.

Diluc picks up the glass of water and presses it to Kaeya’s slightly parted lips, “Can you drink?” he asks in a whisper. Kaeya seems to acknowledge the cold glass on his mouth and opens his lips wider, allowing him to tip the glass and pour the water slowly. He lets Kaeya set the pace, stopping when he closes his lips before continuing when he parts them slightly.

After Kaeya is dehydrated enough, he lays him back to rest, wiping the sweat once more and settles on the chair as his brother goes back to sleep. He returns to his book though the words written on the page seem to escape his comprehension.

This is what Crepus comes home to:

His oldest son is sleeping on the chair, a drool leaving a trail down one corner of his lips. There’s a book on his lap, opened wide in a page of illustration. One of his hands is placed on the bed, over his younger son’s hand, gripping it tight as if afraid to let go.

His younger son is still fast asleep on the bed, laying on his side as the rag on his forehead falls to the pillow, wetting its cover. His other hand is reaching for Diluc’s hand on top of his own, finger grazing the skin. From his flushed complexion, he’s quite sure the younger boy is still feverish, but the tranquil contented look on his face shows him how peaceful he is. Probably due to Diluc’s presence by his side.

In half an hour, the feast for Diluc’s thirteenth birthday would start and the guests would probably have been welcomed to his estate around this time; the early ones at least. The servants had worked hard to prepare the food and drinks, it would be a shame that the oldest son of Ragnvindr doesn’t appear in time to celebrate his own day.

Yet Crepus closes the door softly anyway, smiles to himself and leaves the room without a sound.

“A certain little bird told me that today is your birthday, master Diluc~”

He blinks, reminiscence dispersing at the cheerfully loud greeting he’s been given by the bard seated right by his counter, a glass of wine fixed to his hand. Beside him, a sister from the cathedral raises an eyebrow, interest piqued. Her tired eyes flicker toward him, “Your birthday, sir Ragnvindr?” she questions, inquisitive.

With reluctance, he lets out a defeated sigh and nods, ignorant to the amused smirk on the sister's face or the bard’s giggles. They would be asked to leave if they try to push the conversation and make a commotion. He would definitely ask them to leave if the bard starts to announce it to the rest of the tavern.

The two, thankfully, stay quiet, when he pours them more wine as evening rolls slowly into night.

Crowds have started to fill out the tavern, chattering to fill the silence. He greets some of those who greet him, taking a seat by the counter for a while, with considerable distance to the two ‘special’ guests. Seems like the ‘god’ and one of the sisters of his church are having a rather amusing discussion.

Judging by the smile on the bard’s face, he believes the sister has yet to identify the youth before her as the god they are supposed to worship. Not that he’d trust Rosaria to kneel and praise ‘Bartabos’ - as she puts it in their conversation - even if the Archon appears in front of her in all his glory.

So he leaves them be.

At six, the door to his tavern is thrown open, revealing the familiar face of the recent traveler with their loyal floating companion perched atop their head. They meet his eyes and stomps stiffly through the short distance to the counter, a nervous smile on their innocent faces.

“Master Diluc, would you accompany me for a while to the, uh," they stop, a panicked look flickers across their face as they glance at their faithful companion, desperately asking for help, "...there are these few Abyss Mages out of Mondstadts who seem keen to sneak into the town and I might have a little...uh difficulty defeating them…"

They say, scratching their cheeks nervously as his feet sways from left to right. He stares at them both, piercing through the obvious front of lies they give to his face. Those yellowish brown eyes try their best to keep their gaze with him, though the fairy has hidden her smaller form among the blonde tresses of their hair.

He places down the glass in his hand and sighs, "Alright, let's go…" he signals for Charles to take over, slipping out from the counter and stops before the traveler, "...lead the way" he gestures to the door.

"Right!" The traveler exclaims and opens the door to Mondstadts' early night road.

He immediately spots the young child Jean insists the knight to watch over barely manages to roll behind the barrel by the tavern's entrance, squealing a bit before excessively blowing through her pursed lips once ducked behind. An attempt to warn another to quiet down even as her red cap isn't quite concealed from view.

Beside her, a red bow is peeking over the top of the farthest barrel, twitching when he coughs to his fist before ducking further only leaving the very tip of the quivering fabric.

The traveler yelps to get his attention, tugging at his wrist impatiently so he would hurry up before the mages would leave the premise.

He decides to amuse them and walks after the two companions, feigning ignorance.

To his surprise, there is indeed a group of monsters near the bridge to Mondstadt, digging trenches and chattering. A few Hilichurls with their equipment set around the area; like an encampment - a day or two old at best.

Scattering them away is easy. The traveler, though surprised, is quick to ready their blade. A battle cry escapes their lips as they start to dispatch them along his side, scrambling to handle their share of work.

Between them two, it takes no time at all, a few minutes or so in which the surviving Hilichurls set out in a desperate attempt to escape after realizing their futile effort in triumphing over them.

He lets them go; it’s not as if they would return to this area, knowing the consequences of their action. And if they are foolish enough to return, the knights could handle it - he notes to mention this to Kaeya once the Cavalry captain stops by the tavern again.

The traveler stores back their sword, a sheepish smile is plastered all over their youthful face as their floating partner looks away, biting her lips.

“I don’t see any Abyss Mages” he remarks, lips twitching to an almost-smile when they both flinch and huddle together for a discussion in furious whispers.

“M-maybe they’ve already escaped...?” offers the traveler after they are finished, this time they don’t dare to meet his glare, flustered and guilt-ridden.

He doesn’t answer, pretending to cast his gaze over to the area; it’s not as far from Mondstadts, though he understands why the knights’ patrol route wouldn’t reach this small, seemingly peaceful area. The rock formation, though rare around Mondstadts, manages to hide this little crevasse between the hills quite well

It wouldn’t be too far-fetched that such a strategic place be noticed by any of the monsters around after quite some time

Though for someone from out of Mondstadt to know the place well enough and pinpoint this exact location is quite impressive. He turns his gaze toward the traveler, raising an inquiring eyebrow, demanding an explanation for their sudden expertise in Mondstadts’ terrain.

The traveler caves in after a few seconds of dead silence, the sheepish smiles makes way to an ashamed grimace. They begin explaining how they are asked to lead him away for a while, entrusted with the distraction job. For what? They still stubbornly refuse to answer clearly, only vaguely explaining how everyone else needs them to do so.

"But master Diluc is sooo sharp, Paimon thought you will never follow us with you being suck at lying" the fairy chides, poking at the traveler's cheek with a cheeky smile on her lips.

"It's not as if you are of any help, Paimon" the traveler curtly replies, earning a pout on their companion's face.

He sighs, approaching them to place a hand over the blonde head and slowly card through the strands, “Don’t worry, I’m not angry...” he mutters, feeling the youth flinch beneath his touch. Their floating companion looks agape at him, her eyes wide with terrifying startle. Under his hand, yellow orbs are trained up to his own eyes, just as wide as their companion.

“Master Diluc is surprisingly gentle...” Paimon mutters offhandedly, a surreptitious smile spreads across her tiny face.

He merely gives her a glare and the fairy purses her mouth with a timid giggle. She floats to the traveler’s shoulder, lands and takes a seat. Her tiny hands take a grab at their ear and whispers are murmured in a surprisingly muffled sound. They blink at her words, thoughtful, before they make an inquisitive sound and gently pushes his hand away.

They start rummaging through their pocket space - a convenient ‘magical’ bag that they explain as their infinite storage - and in a blink, on their palm, lies a little box wrapped in oriental decorated paper. Velvet red in color, painted with branches and little lilies and tied with a white ribbon.

“They would probably be mad if I did this first, but,” they shrug nonchalantly and present the small box of gift to him, “...happy birthday, master Diluc!” they happily say, a genuine congratulatory smile on their face, unlike their polite and reserved countenance that they show most of the time.

Paimon claps excitedly by their side, “Paimon’s the one who suggested the gift! Master Diluc would definitely like what Paimon has chosen!” and she sounds just as sincerely pleased with herself.

He accepts the gift with dignity, pocketing the box carefully to his inner coat.

They return to the city not too long after that, trudging along the rather empty street and back to the tavern he’s supposed to run for the night. A commotion can definitely be heard from within; from people speaking in a hurrying tone and the click of plates and sloshing of drinks. Someone is singing, their voice being carried by the wind out to mingle with the night breeze of Mondstadts. Every kind of sound seems to emanate from the warm glow of his crowded tavern.

He glances at the two wayward travelers who return his gaze with simultaneous sheepish grins.

Sighing, he pushes the door open anyway.

And the whole current occupants of his tavern stops moving.

There’s the bard, strumming his lyre as he is perched on the counter. The song he’s been singing is abruptly cut off with his arrival. Though his grin doesn’t falter as he breaks the silence with a cheerful, “Welcome back, master Diluc~” and the song continues, this time with the absence of his voice.

Beside him is the sister, who has apparently pulled one of the stool to allow her a seat behind the counter. Her visible eye is watching over the proceeding, a mug of frothing beer pressed into her lips. She chugs the beverage when he blinks at her, gesturing at him with the mug in hand after a gulp - as if she’s offering him a toast to this mess.

There’s the Acting Grandmaster, standing on her tiptoe on the other end of the counter, a decorative paper being held in her outstretched hand. She looks flabbergasted at his presence, eyes quickly flicking to the person behind him - the traveler who shrugs and goes in anyway - conflicted between putting on a smile or a grimace for their surprise being busted.

The librarian is right by her side, in her arms lie the rest of the colorful papers. She nonchalantly greets him with a wave and a wink, before reminding Jean that she should be careful not to fall.

A rather over the top cake is placed on the table in the center of his tavern. Coated in white cream and strawberries with grapes decorating its top tier. The small child under the knight’s care is standing on the table. In her small hand is a giant strawberry frosted with chocolate, on her cheeks are stains of chocolate. She looks as if she’s been caught with her hand inside the cookie jar, her eyes flick toward Jean, asking for further instruction on what she should do.

Behind her, with his hands on her waist, keeping her steady is the chief Alchemist. His calm demeanor does not even break upon seeing him. He even nods at him politely before returning to the child in his hold, asking her to continue and that big brother Albedo will handle the rest if she fails to put the strawberry they’ve worked so hard on creating.

Right beside the alchemist is the Cavalry captain who has started laughing in this muffled, awful stuttering staccato. As if he's trying his best not to laugh and pretends that he's having a coughing fit from the surprise ruined.

The outrider is crouched right by the door, where they’ve piled the various boxes of wrapped boxes in various hues of color. Most of them are red, others are blue or white, with occasional yellows in between. She’s rearranging it, one box is in her hands while the other has been piled onto the flooring, away from the hustle and bustle. Her face is turned away, refusing to look at him out of shame.

And finally Charles, his trusted employee who is giving him this defeated, guilty look. Though not without a smile on his face, as if he has tried to stop them and willingly gave up.

For a moment, everything seems to freeze except for the two oddball conversation partners at one corner of the counter.

Abruptly, the young child - Klee, is it? - yelps from atop the table, putting the strawberry into the cake and leaps off from the alchemist’s grasp and into the floor. She runs toward him, arms outstretched until she reaches him.

Then, with all her might, she starts to push at his legs.

“It’s not finished!” she exclaims, “...scary red big brother needs to go out first” she cries, pushing even harder as her feet skid against the wooden flooring.

He...isn’t quite sure how to react to this.

Flicking his gaze to the rest of the tavern who has fallen quiet - even the bard has stopped - he nearly regrets trying to find any form of answer from them.

From the alchemist’s judging gaze to the mischievous grin on the bard’s face; they all have some degree of accusation as they glare at him.

Regardless, he steps out wordlessly as the door is being slammed behind him, leaving him to stay in the cold night air.

He remembers this day years ago, as clear as day.

The sky was dark with clouds - a storm brewing over the horizon - leaving not a single sliver of the sun left above them. Drops of rain washed over him, leaving him drenched to the bone, wet yet stained with the blood of his father. His hands were trembling when he put his father out of his misery, laid him to rest in the puddled field.

It’s either leaving him to die from the vehement drawback his body suffered through after using a power not of his rights or killing him right at that moment, saving the rest of his short life from the agonizing pain. He chose the latter, haunted by the screams his father had emitted. His strong father who had never complained about pain, who had stood stalwartly in his life; a supporting pillar for him to chase his dream.

To hear him begging for death...

“Luc…?”

Footsteps, he registered, though he refused to look away from his father’s cold body, gripping the strong hand between his own. Murmurs began to break out, muffled by the rain, a firm order to quiet down and a dismissal.

Then, a hand on his shoulder.

“Luc...” his name was spoken from a pair of familiar lips.

“Why...” he whispered shakily.

Kaeya didn’t answer him.

He leant to his brother’s strong presence, buried his face to the shoulder and started to speak. Perhaps he was telling a story, perhaps he wasn’t. He might have spoken about what had happened and his wish for the future. Or maybe he hadn’t spoken anything at all, entrusting Kaeya to fill in the silence, to make him forget for a moment that this was all true.

Kaeya did speak though, he remembered this well. Word of comfort, reassurance, that he will be fine that everything is going to be alright.

Then, Kaeya spoke.

Of a truth he had never known before.

This day, that year; he remembered brandishing his sword to both people who he had loved in his life. The two people who had shaped his future and dreams were also those who were responsible for destroying them.

“Young master Diluc?”

He blinks rapidly, tries to focus on the sight before his eyes, Kaeya’s younger face fading into the present day.

To Charles who’s standing in front of him, a concerned look sets on his face.

The bartender sighs fondly when he nods; a smile stretches his lips, “They are ready, young master,” Charles reports in his usual tone when he’s detailing words he heard from behind the counter, “...please do forgive me for enabling them. I am...merely overwhelmed with joy that everyone is trying to surprise you in your birthday”

“It is fine, Charles...” he murmurs, shaking his head, “...thank you for indulging them”

He sighs, standing up from the slightly uncomfortable seating he’s subjected to and finds a blanket slid down from his person. Soft blue fabric which has been draped over him, a little warmth to keep him from the cold.

Frowning at the sudden appearance of this particular fabric, he opens his mouth to ask Charles of how this blanket came to be when he meets the older man’s eyes. Who seems to regard him with this strange mirth in his eyes.

“Is something the matter?” he asks, puzzled.

The older man’s smile is warm, a certain quality he couldn’t put a name to lies beneath that usual customer’s smile, “No, it’s just good to see you so relaxed, sir. It’s been quite some time since I last saw you take your time with someone else out of your line of work” a warm hand is placed on his shoulder, “...happy birthday, do enjoy all of their hard work for today, young master Diluc”

Charles gives him his well wishes, bowing slightly before excusing himself, but no answer.

He watches the older man leave. The blanket in his hand still feels warm.

Sighing, he smiles and returns back to the door.

They are...loud.

A few of them congratulate him in quiet, reasonable voices, but another sings him his ‘happy birthday’ at the top of their lungs. Klee, though obviously still frightened, squeals him a ‘happy birthday’ and stays, twinkling eyes looking up at him expectantly. He mulls over what to do for a moment before he remembers Kaeya and Albedo giving her head pats. Copying that motion seems to delight Klee, even if his head pats is done stiffly, she still looks awed that he's done it at all.

It has been quite some time since she last ran away from him and it feels odd to see her being not afraid when facing him. Since she's still deathly afraid of Jean's wrath (to be perfectly fair, who doesn't…).

"Big brother Kae is right," she says, her whole face brightens, "...you're not as scary as you look!"

He huffs and Klee giggles.

"Oh, oh, he also said that you have a soft spot for--"

"Klee, don't you want more cake?" A voice cuts her off and he finds the chief alchemist with a plate of cake on his hand. She lets out an affirmative 'Yes' and quickly leaps away to the outrider who seems to post herself beside the cake, slicing and distributing the confectionary.

The alchemist settles beside him, poking the piece he has with a fork, "It's strange to see Klee be this relaxed around you," he says thoughtfully, "...it seems that sir Alberich had imparted his personal insight about you to Klee and it changed her view for you. Which is quite fascinating considering how frightened she was because of your seemingly scary appearance"

He sighs in defeat. Knowing Kaeya, there would be some exaggeration though most of it would be true while some would be a white lie at best, “He did, didn’t he?” he asks, imagining the Cavalry Captain reciting it like a heroic tale to the child.

“You’re not curious?” the alchemist asks, raising an eyebrow.

Diluc shakes his head; he has never thought so, perhaps once or twice in their years of separation. Blinded by hatred and deafened from reasoning by vengeance, he had assumed the worst of Kaeya.

When he returned to Mondstadts, he found that every single assumption his mindless past self had cooked up was unfounded.

And his former brother changed in a way he wouldn’t see his sweet little Kaeya chose voluntarily.

It had...put things in a different perspective to him, led him back to Kaeya; this unknown Kaeya he had to know from the beginning once more. He tries to understand him instead of shunning this new Kaeya and starts to mend what he had severed. It took time; a few long months of him peeling layer upon layer of what Kaeya had put on and the cavalry captain returning the favor by allowing him in.

Slowly, yet steadily.

Speaking of the cavalry captain, he finds it odd that there’s no sign of him since he had entered the tavern. There are familiar faces, people of Mondstadts crowding Angel’s Share, but none of it is Kaeya.

Various foods have been spread out onto the table, filling it to the brim. The cake lies in the center, surrounded by savory dishes of meat variety and a big bowl of what might be a mint soup. There are several skewered meat and mushroom on one plate, piled like lumbers. Glasses of assorted beverages are scattered about on the counter and other tables. The party goes in a full swing.

Yet there’s no Kaeya in the room which is quite odd since he’s sure that he had spotted him before. He fiddles with the soft fabric he still has in his hands, wondering who might have given him this particularly familiar...

…

Ah, the blanket, he looks at the cloth in his hands...he should’ve known.

Wordlessly, he slips out from the tavern, back into the city’s street, the blanket is held tight between his fingers. He quickly makes his way out from Mondstadts, to the outskirts of the city.

Into the night.

The midnight sky is visibly clear atop the Mondstadts’ hill. The stars are making up a map of constellation after constellation; bright even with the crescent moon hanging between them. Fields of glimmering light dots scattering across the dark blue, not a cloud in sight as far as the eyes can see.

At the edge of the cliff, the very mouth where most parents would deny their children from venturing to, a figure is seated on top of a plain mat. It sits still, almost in a statuesque quality, bathed under the moon and stars’ light. He spots the shining dark blue locks, the glinting earring of contrasting red and a smile adorning the person’s face.

“Don’t you have a cake to eat and candles to blow, master Diluc?” Kaeya greets, turning his sight slightly back to the starry night sky.

He’s still dressed in his work clothes, a bit rumpled but none worse for the wear. A half full wine glass is held between his gloved fingers, the liquid shines when it is tipped to his lips. Small sip can be heard between the mild night breeze as Kaeya lets out a satisfied sigh and places it back down to the mat, right beside a full glass of the very same hued liquid.

Diluc shuffles to the edge, his footsteps soft against the grass. He knows how cautious they both are, how alarmed they could get whenever they hear all sorts of footsteps; not from paranoia, but from attentiveness born from each of their experiences while delving under Mondstadts’ underbelly.

To know that Kaeya is loosened enough around him not to flinch with each of his steps getting closer shows the amount of trust they have built together again; how far they have come since this day, years ago.

When he reaches Kaeya, he spreads his arms wide, the blanket in his hands stretched open before he embraces the younger man within its fold.

A laughter immediately bubbles from Kaeya’s throat, almost chirpy, but melodious. He leans down, placing a kiss on top of his head between the dark blue hair. With an ease out of habit, he smoothly settles right by the other’s side, their shoulders touching to share what little warmth they have.

His Vision lights for a flicker and Kaeya snorts, “It’s not even that cold, Luc...” the captain says, nudging him by the shoulder. He shrugs, keeping the other’s gaze on him as he voices out his reason: “You look cold” and Kaeya laughs.

It’s considerably warmer now, between their body heat and the natural heat his own Vision grants him with. Above them, the myriad amount of stars blinking in and out, creating pictures he remembers fondly and Kaeya loves to point out - “This one is Ursa, see where the bear is hunched down?”.

He glances beside him, to the person staying right there, by his side. How he had allowed him in again after all these years, after all those pain he had inflicted is beyond his understanding. They had made a bond as children and he had destroyed it before they both picked up their own pieces and agreed on building a bridge to connect once more.

Create a new bond over the chasm that time had torn between them. It might be fragile, wobbling with each step they take, but it’s there.

It doesn’t take long for Kaeya to notice him staring, a teasing smirk immediately curls his lips, “While I am very much flattered that you might think I am more interesting to look at than the stars, I came here to look at them, master Diluc and so should you. See how beautiful they are?” Kaeya gestures to the sky with a slight tilt of his head and an outstretched hand.

He opens his mouth, a reply already at the tip of his tongue before he decides against it and follows the request. His gaze shifts to the sky, to the wide, unchanging sky he had seen times and times again; the silent witness to his journey.

This day, that year, he remembered.

Seeing a much younger Kaeya, stumbling in his path from his fever though very much determined to give him his present. They both are wrapped in a woolen blanket of blue - Kaeya’s noticeably thicker - as his younger brother led him to this place, decorated with handmade flower wreaths and ribbons. And up above their heads were millions of stars glimmering like a crown. With Kaeya as the prince standing beneath its magnificent glory.

This day, that year, he remembered.

Leaving Kaeya to the merciful hands of fate, letting him live despite the hatred burning within his heart. A Vision birthed through their cracking bond and clashing swords clasped within his former brother’s unconscious fists. He looked above, wincing under the mourning sky pelting him with endless rain and took a step.

He had never looked back.

Tonight, it looks as clear as the first time he truly had looked. With Kaeya by his side and their bond beginning anew.

A glass of wine is suddenly shoved to his line of sight - the half full one - and the strong scent is quick to invade his sense of smell.

He follows the hand holding said glass up the arm and into the grinning face of Kaeya.

“A toast for this special day, master Diluc?” he asks, a full glass is offered his way.

It’s not the first time he is offered a wine for his birthday and this probably wouldn’t be the last. He accepts the glass warily, recalling the taste from years ago, when he had tasted it for the first time and finding it not as pleasant as the patrons to his tavern show him. Politely, he clinks it together with Kaeya’s before bringing it to his own lips, cautious.

The liquid touches his tongue as he braces for the sharp, pungent taste of wine when he recognizes the certain sour sweetness instead. He blinks and stares at the glass, finally giving it a sniff, “This is…” he trails off, shifting his gaze to Kaeya who has started chuckling to himself. His eyes fall onto the two bottles in the cryo infused basket, both are the same exact bottle, muddled in green.

There’s nothing suspicious about it, no, it looks too similar.

“Is the wine good, master Diluc?” the cavalry captain teases, a smirk pulls at the corner of his lips.

He couldn’t help the smile on his face as he hums agreeingly, “Yes, it is exquisite sir Kaeya,” he takes another sip of his favorite drink, lets the taste roll in his tongue, “...thank you for everything...”

A new weight lands on his shoulder, the soft sweet scent of Kaeya gently caressing his cheeks, “Despite how much I want to take credit for myself, but the people you left behind in Angel’s Share actually did the most work though,” he stiffens, remembering the crowds he had left his tavern to, “...don’t tell me you had thoughtlessly ventured out to accompany little old me?”

Diluc puts the glass back to his mouth and takes another long sip, leaving it unanswered. Though the cavalry captain takes it as a compliment, apparently, “Awww, how sweet of you master Diluc” Kaeya coos, his finger is poking at his pale cheek teasingly.

“At least I have to make sure you’re not going to fall sick again...” he chides back, guzzling the rest of the grape juice in one go, “...I could still remember you apologizing for making me worry with tears in your eye and when I asked why, you just cried harder”

“Says the man who keeps missing his birthday feast” chirps Kaeya. He could audibly hear the ‘pout’ in his face, imagining the slightly puffed cheeks on his partner’s face.

Diluc shrugs, “If it is to accompany you, I’d gladly miss them. I’m not much of a people pleaser anyway...” he can feel Kaeya flinching beside him, a choked noise followed by coughs emitting from the cavalry captain’s mouth, “...are you...okay?”

Kaeya pulls away from him and gazes up at him, “How much praise are you going to pile onto my over inflated ego, master Diluc?” he makes an inquisitive sound, puzzled by the exclamation, “...oh, well, I suppose that’s fine. Your charming point works wonder as always...” his partner sighs and slumps his entire weight to him, toppling them both to a sprawl. The glass in his hand slips, spilling its content to the mat beneath him before falling with a ‘thud’ to the mat.

Though it might be the last of his concern as a pair of lips has found their way onto his. Soft and sweet, cold from the night wind and wine. His hands reflexively hold onto the other’s back, gradually pulling Kaeya into his embrace.

They separate with reluctance, Kaeya’s eye is glimmering above still; like the stars behind the gentle smile of his partner, hanging on the night sky.

“Happy birthday, Luc...” he whispers.

His hands make their way to the back of Kaeya’s head and he pushes, capturing the other’s lips into a longer kiss.

This day, today, is how he will remember the rest of his birthday…

...with people he cherishes and those he holds dear...