Chapter Text
“I bet you won’t eat this bug.”
It’s utterly stupid, but boys at this age tend to be. Kaeya looks far too smug, a shit-eating grin stretching across his face. His scrawny arms are folded in front of his chest, daring Diluc to say no.
Diluc’s eyes narrow, and he squints at the creepy-crawly currently trying to make itself scarce. In his nine years of life, he’s never eaten a bug. It’s not proper for a nobleman!
But that changes today because so help him Barbatos, he will not lose.
“Yeah, well, what if I do?” Diluc shoots back, plucking the beetle up with a thumb and forefinger. It wiggles desperately, radiating unhappiness at being caught in the middle of this mess.
Kaeya’s eye narrows in devilish glee. “Then do it.”
Diluc makes eye contact with Kaeya, places the beetle in his mouth, and chews.
It’s...pretty vile, unsurprisingly. The crunch is disconcerting, but at least the poor thing stopped struggling the moment it was chomped. Diluc does his best to keep eye contact, but at the very last second, he closes his eyes, swallowing desperately and trying to wash the flavor away with his saliva.
But he ate it. It’s down, he didn’t spit it out, and he won .
When Diluc’s sure any remnants of beetle have been swallowed down, he opens his mouth and sticks his tongue out. One part taunt, one part proof.
“See? I won. I bet you can’t do the same thing, Kaeya!”
Kaeya’s triumphant smirk quickly melts into a discontented frown. It’s clear he didn’t bank on Diluc actually doing it, but the stakes are too high to back out now.
“Yeah, well, who said?” Kaeya retorts. He looks around, eye quickly settling on an unsuspecting grasshopper. The next buggy victim is swiped from the grass as it struggles in vain.
Diluc’s eyes go wide, round rubies glittering. “You’re not serious. Are you really going to eat it? Kaeya, what if you get a stomachache?”
Kaeya defiantly sticks his nose in the air. “You didn’t let that stop you, did you? Neither will I!”
He opens his mouth, neat little pearls of teeth (minus a front one, but that’s a temporary problem) facing down the frantic grasshopper. And down the hatch it goes.
Kaeya, unlike Diluc, makes eye contact and manages to keep it. And rather than chew, he just...swallows. The entire grasshopper travels down his gullet in one piece. Diluc looks on, fascinated and disgusted at the same time.
“Kae!! That’s so gross!!!” he shrieks, all propriety lost as he melts into giggles. “Let’s find some mint, Miss Adelinde is going to be so mad at us if she finds out we ate bugs!”
It’s Kaeya’s turn to stick his tongue out at Diluc, his victorious smirk back in place. “We’re even now. Like I’d be scared of a bug!”
But at the mention of Adelinde, he pauses, face pulling into a grimace. “Good call. Let’s...not tell Father or Adelinde, ok?”
So, they don’t. The boys hastily chew on some scrounged-up mint as they jog back to the manor, the very picture of innocent children.
The farce is fantastic. Both Kaeya and Diluc are consummate actors despite their tender age, and nobody is the wiser...until both of them end up with a stomach bug later that night.
“It’s vengeance,” Diluc croaks weakly, curled into a pillow. The dreaded tummy ache did indeed make an appearance. “The bugs took their revenge.”
Kaeya groans in commiseration. He isn’t faring too well himself, but when Diluc tugged on his sleeve right before bedtime, asking for some company, how could he say no? The moment they thought the maids left, Kaeya quietly snuck into Diluc’s room, closing the door behind him.
“Stop that. You’re starting to sound like Eula,” he murmurs, snuggling up to Diluc’s warmth. The redhead snickers, wincing when the action makes his stomach cramp up again.
“Even if we’re both like this, I’m glad you’re here, Kae. It’s a little better somehow.”
Kaeya shushes Diluc, ears feeling a bit warm from the candid confession. “Let’s get some sleep. We’ll probably feel better when we wake up.” The two doze off in short order, curled up under the comforter.
The next morning, when a maid sees them both snoring in Diluc’s bed, she just shakes her head with a laugh and leaves the room. There’s no harm in letting them sleep in a little bit on the weekend.
--- --- ---
“Hey. Bet you can’t beat me in a gliding contest.”
Diluc’s grin is infectious as he snaps open his glider, the brown feathers ruffling in the breeze. Right now, he’s all gangly limbs (shockingly, no pimples), but in the air, he’s as sleek and graceful as his falcon. It’s a sight to behold, and Kaeya will never tire of it.
But Kaeya’s no penguin either. He adjusts the collar of his turtleneck, head cocking. “Oh? A gliding contest? Did Master Ragnvindr finish all his homework already, or is he trying to beat me so he can copy my calculus answers again?” There’s a sizzle in the air, a challenge met head-on.
Diluc frowns, punching Kaeya lightly in the shoulder. “That was one time . I had to stay late at Headquarters, so it wasn’t my fault I couldn’t get it done.”
Kaeya laughs, even as he rubs the spot Diluc punched. The redhead doesn’t know his own strength, and Kaeya figures it’ll bruise in a bit. Still, he can’t bring himself to mind too much. Even if Diluc can get heavy-handed sometimes, it’s not wholly unpleasant.
“Whoa whoa, cool it, Mr. Fiery. Wouldn’t want another grass fire to start because you sneezed or something, yeah?” Kaeya teases, starry eye fond. Diluc’s too fun.
The newly-minted Cavalry Captain huffs, this time opting for a pinch. “I stopped doing that years ago, Kaeya. Find some new insults, or else I’d start to suspect you’ve lost your edge.”
Kaeya snaps open his own glider, testing the wind. “Me, lost my edge? Please. You’d sooner hear about Snezhnaya exporting coconuts.” It’s a good day for gliding: not too stormy, not too still.
“So, where to?”
Diluc taps his chin, glancing about Mondstadt. “From that big windmill to our north to the fountain in front of The Good Hunter. Loser buys the winner dinner. Sound good?”
Kaeya’s already hopped to his feet, jogging lightly towards the windmill. “Fine by me. Just don’t lose before we even start the race, Luc!”
With a rise in rank comes a paradoxical expansion and restriction on freedom at the same time. Zipping around Mondstadt on their gliders for no reason at all doesn’t draw ire or criticism anymore...but they’ve lost the time to do it.
Diluc’s title isn’t just for show. That calc homework? He really was so exhausted by several consecutive late nights that he just collapsed in bed the moment he got home. And hell, he didn’t even copy the answers. Kaeya just mimicked Diluc’s handwriting and placed the paper on Diluc’s nightstand.
They zip through the cobblestones and clamber up the creaky wooden ladders on the sides of the windmills. Someone gets an elbow to the ribs. Another finds a knee to his chin. Despite their grace on the battlefield and in the air, sometimes, like right now, they’re just two teenagers who are all spindly limbs and knobby joints.
When they finally make it to the top, they pause to catch their breaths. From their vantage point, they can see the entire city. Their city, Diluc thinks to himself.
“3...2...1. Go!”
Diluc is forcibly yanked from his reverie when he realizes Kaeya already kicked off from the windmill. He’d snapped open his glider the moment he shouted “go.” Diluc soon follows, yelling about cheating and not fair and I’ll win anyway, you can suck it!
It’s completely unbecoming for a nobleman or the youngest Cavalry Captain in the history of Mondstadt.
It’s completely exhilarating for a teen who is having the time of his life zipping through the air with his best friend. The wind whips through their hair, and somewhere along the way, Kaeya loses his hair ribbon. The satin floats away, probably getting caught in a tree somewhere. Those blue locks twist free, spreading out like a mermaid’s tail.
Diluc is suddenly struck by how beautiful Kaeya is, his slim figure cutting through the air and the feathers on his back molding to his form like he was born with wings. Kaeya is meant for Mondstadt , he tells himself.
Unfortunately, in being struck by Kaeya’s beauty, he almost gets struck by an errant streetlamp.
“Don’t zone out on me!” Kaeya calls behind him without looking. He always knows, somehow, and it’s infuriatingly charming. Emphasis on the infuriating.
“I could say the same!” Diluc shouts back, and he folds his glider and body to streamline his motion. They could both see the fountain coming closer, and Diluc makes a sharp dive, imitating his falcon’s swift headfirst technique.
It’s a gamble. He could easily break his neck if he’s not careful. But Diluc is hardly an amateur, and he pulls it off with no small amount of grace. The gamble pays off, and Kaeya touches down a heartbeat after him.
“So, what would you like for dinner?” Kaeya asks, just a touch breathless. Their cheeks are flushed, and Diluc acquired some stray leaves in his red mane. Kaeya snickers at the sight, leaning in.
“Stay still,” he warns and begins to pluck the leaves from the crimson mess. Diluc’s cheeks flush further, but he does as he is told, allowing Kaeya’s deft fingers to do their job.
“Maybe I should leave this one in there...pfffttt, Diluc, you look like a radish!” Kaeya snickers but dutifully swipes it from Diluc’s head anyway. “You haven’t told me what you wanted for dinner yet. My treat. I’m a man of my word.”
Diluc squints at Kaeya for a moment before fishing something out from his pocket.
“Your ribbon flew away, so use one of mine for now,” he offers, shaking a gold-trimmed black loop of satin loose. “If we’re going to eat somewhere, at least look less like you have a giant blue rat on your head.”
Kaeya gasps, hand to his heart in affront. “A blue rat! I’ll have you know, it’s a love lock ! And to think the recipient of my dedication is so cold to me.”
Diluc’s cheeks burn even brighter, but he chooses not to engage further. Kaeya will always talk circles around him, but this...feels dangerous, somehow .
It reminds him of the moment before a spark hits kindling, lighting the whole field ablaze. He beckons Kaeya to turn around and swiftly ties his hair back into place.
“Let’s just get something at The Good Hunter before we have to get back to work. Last I recall, isn’t it your turn to write our scouting report?” Diluc points out. Kaeya slumps forward, the wind taken out of him by the mere word report .
“Yeah yeah, I get it, Mr. Fun Police.” Kaeya gripes, pouting. Never mind the fact that they’re both equally diligent in their duties. “You still haven’t told me what you want though....but y’know what, I bet I can guess exactly what you’re craving tonight.”
Diluc raises an eyebrow, crossing his arms. “Well, you’re paying, so I’m not complaining either way.”
Kaeya smiles, fingers briefly ghosting over the ribbon in his hair. The motion makes Diluc look away, bashful for some stupid reason , c’mon Diluc, get it together, it’s just a ribbon.
“Alright. Don’t come complaining to me if you don’t like it then. We shouldn’t waste food!”
After they sit down and their dinner arrives, Diluc is pleasantly surprised. The heaping plate of steak and eggs set before him is exactly what hits the spot, but even he didn’t think to order that. His delight must be pretty obvious, because he sneaks a look at Kaeya, nibbling away at some Sweet Madame, and his one eye is crinkled in a fond smile.
Breakfast at sundown, a moment of reprieve from the responsibilities on their still-broadening shoulders.
The next morning, when they both report to Headquarters bright and early, Kaeya still has Diluc’s ribbon in his hair.
--- --- ---
The city is quiet at night, which is arguably a good thing. It means there’s peace in Mond and the people are safe.
It also means staying awake is really, really difficult.
“Diluc, you know you could request some time off right?” Kaeya asks mid-yawn. They stroll along the city walls, faces illuminated by a bright moon. “Nobody would fault you for wanting to relax a little.”
Diluc pauses mid-step, peering at some scurrying underfoot. He relaxes and turns his gaze back to Kaeya when he sees it’s just a tabby cat.
“Nonsense. I am to be an adult soon, and that means I cannot shirk my duties like a child any longer.”
Kaeya puffs out a cheek, obviously displeased with the answer. “You just turned seventeen, Luc. Ugh, forget I said anything then. I just figured a bit of a breather would be a good idea since once you’re actually an adult, the duties and work will pile on even more.”
Diluc lets himself rub at his eyes, just a little. Around Kaeya, there’s no use putting up a strong front. “Still, I’d prefer not to.”
Kaeya taps Diluc’s shoulder and presses a flask into his hand. “Want some chilibrew? Jean gave it to me earlier today—who knows where she got it—and told me it’s great for staying alert.”
Diluc eyes the flask warily but takes it all the same. If it’s from Jean, then surely it’s trustworthy…
A healthy gulp later and he’s doubled over coughing, eyes watering from the intense kick of spice.
Kaeya quickly grabs the flask so it doesn’t spill and pats Diluc on the back, waiting until he’s caught his breath again.
“Th-that’s surprisingly strong,” Diluc wheezes, clearing his throat and wiping at his eyes. “A warning would have been nice.”
Kaeya sniffs at the flask and takes a swig too. The chili hits his sinuses first, shocking them open, and lights a blazing trail through his mouth and down his throat. It’s great .
“If you don’t want it, I’ll take it,” Kaeya states, twisting the cap back on. “Besides, aren’t you more awake now? I think it did its job.”
Diluc shoots a watery glare at Kaeya, but he doesn’t dispute it. He does feel more awake now, especially after catching sight of Kaeya’s lips. They’re red and flushed from the burn of the chili, with a soft sheen to them.
They look delectable , Diluc thinks before he can help it.
“Hm? What are?” Kaeya asks, startling Diluc back to reality. Did he say it out loud?! Oh no, how embarrassing!!
“N-nothing! Nothing at all. Thinking about grabbing a snack when our shift is over, that’s it,” Diluc quickly responds, trying, unsuccessfully, to do damage control. From the mischievous glint in Kaeya’s eye, it’s clear Diluc’s as obvious as water is wet.
“Aww, don’t want to tell me? I bet you’re too scared, hm?” comes tickling Diluc’s ears, a sing-song taunt. The moment the words leave his mouth, Kaeya freezes, realizing he’s lit the fuse to a bomb. He immediately hops up onto the stones lining the edge of the wall with only a darkened back facing Diluc. Diluc always had a way of coaxing the truth out of him.
The two resume their walk, except now, Kaeya is no longer looking at him.
Kaeya’s back facing him is...uncomfortable. The youngest Cavalry Captain in Mond’s history is afraid of very little, but this is not fear. This is just...nerves.
Kaeya is his best friend, someone he grew up with since childhood. Diluc saw him change from a shivering, silent boy to the handsome young man before him. They’ve been together through everything, joined at the hip, back to back.
Diluc doesn’t want something so trivial as a crush to ruin what they already have, but this is hardly a fleeting fancy. How many years has it been since he’s wanted to kiss those lips? And how many nights did he wake up gasping, sheets soaked in sweat and thighs covered in his own release, with Kaeya’s face fading from his mind’s eye?
They will be adults soon. Sooner or later, he will be subjected to the matchmaking process that Mondstadt’s noble families engage in.
Perhaps this is a touch naive, Diluc thinks, but if he confesses now, then maybe they can both escape the cycle. Or at least just live without the regrets of lost love. He’s seen what that does to people, to families, and he never wants to subject anybody to it.
“I’m not scared,” Diluc snaps back, masking his nervousness with irritation. He smooths out his trousers in an effort to dry his sweaty palms. “If you’re so brave, then get down here so I can tell you properly.”
Kaeya does leap down, landing softly on the balls of his feet. But now, he’s the one fiddling with his coat’s hem, eyebrows lightly furrowed together.
“You don’t have to, you know,” Kaeya whispers, voice faint.
Diluc takes in the Kaeya before him. This Kaeya has the form of the Kaeya he lives with, the confident Knight of Favonius charming everyone in a ten-meter radius with his presence alone. And yet, this Kaeya acts like the small, skinny Kaeya brought in from the soaking rain, a huddled mass of soggy blankets both wary of affection and craving it.
“I know, but I want to.”
Diluc extends his hands expectantly. Kaeya eyes his hands, takes a deep breath, and places his own into those waiting palms. They’re shockingly warm compared to his own.
Diluc takes a deep breath of his own. When he speaks, it’s with all the confidence of a boy on the cusp of adulthood who has known nothing but success and favor, a boy who believes it will remain this way if he just works hard enough.
“Kaeya, I love you.”
The object of his affections is quiet and still, almost deathlike, and Diluc only gets more nervous. Did he screw this up? Had he read the signs wrong all along, all these years?
“Kae? Kaeya, are you wi-”
He’s interrupted when Kaeya bursts out laughing, hard enough to double over and clutch at his sides. Diluc’s cheeks flush bright red to match his hair, and he thwacks Kaeya upside the head.
“H-hey! What’s so funny?! That’s so rude, Kaeya!” Diluc huffs, the red extending down past his hairline, across his cheeks and nose, to seep into his neck.
“Ow, ow, stop hitting me, Luc! Ow! You...hahaha, you were so serious! You’d think that the Young Master Ragnvindr was proposing marr- ouch, stop that!”
Diluc does stop, if only because his hands are preoccupied with covering his face now. “Why did I even bother, why did I ever like you, you’re honestly awful, I am such an idiot-” he mumbles rapidly, steam all but rising from his ears.
Kaeya purrs in delight, peeling Diluc’s hands away from his flaming face and twining their fingers together again. “Oh hush, you angry strawberry. I know. I’m the absolute worst.”
When Diluc’s mortification and Kaeya’s own giggles die down, he continues. That voice, so teasing and coquettish, is softer now. Wistful.
“You will truly be the death of me, Luc. How can I say anything but ‘I love you too’ when you’re like this?”
Diluc blinks, confusion dancing across those ruby irises at the touch of sadness in Kaeya’s tone. He opens his mouth to protest, but Kaeya shakes his head and continues. “I bet it won’t be good for either of us.”
Diluc’s heard enough.
He cuts Kaeya off with a firm kiss, indulging himself in the lips that had him preoccupied all night (and many nights before this one). It works—Kaeya is stunned speechless, that silver tongue completely still for once. No witty quips or knife-sharp comebacks.
But then Kaeya puts that silver tongue to good use, and Diluc finds himself pressed up against a stone tower, increasingly breathless from their kiss.
They’re both rather clumsy, more enthusiasm than technique and more teeth-clacking than kissing , technically, but Kaeya’s kissing him and he’s kissing Kaeya he’s kissing Kaeya oh my stars I’m kissing Kaeya.
Diluc’s the first to break the kiss, gulping for air like he’d just run five kilometers. He peers up at Kaeya, who is also catching his breath.
He feels his heart clench, every fiber of his being urging him to wrap Kaeya in his arms and protect him, keep him safe, keep him loved.
Then he notices a bit of drool on Kaeya’s chin, and he fucking loses his shit.
It’s Diluc’s turn to wheeze with laughter, bracing himself on Kaeya’s shoulder. “Kaeya, you...you have drool on your chin! Ahahaha! It’s so gross!”
Kaeya frowns, poking Diluc’s cheek. “Whose drool is it, huh? You’re not much better off yourself!”
Diluc fights back the last hiccups of giggles threatening to bubble from his mouth, settling for a bright smile instead. “It seems we both lack practice. Shall we keep trying? I bet we can’t do any worse than we already did,” he suggests.
“Don’t tempt fate,” Kaeya mutters, shaking his head, but he leans forward again anyway to meet Diluc in another kiss.
In the shadows of that tower, high above the streets of Mondstadt, they are not the future of Mondstadt. They’re not heirs to distinguished bloodlines or the protectors of ancient legacies.
They are just two young men in love.