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The acting grand master gave Kaeya a day off. Probably because it was his birthday today. However, Kaeya felt that there was no atmosphere for drinking, so he went for a stroll.
Kaeya’s legs brought him wherever the winds were going, it wasn’t such a big difference from what he did day-to-day in his duties as the cavalry captain of the Ordo Favonius. Although the Favonius wasn’t so well liked by a certain someone, it wasn’t too bad of a job. It wasn’t too taxing, but the job did have its surprises now and then.
Kaeya came to a stop when a Crystalfly flew by him. Looking around, he was surrounded by the dim glow of Crystalflies, and the endless rows of grapevines.. Kaeya smiled melancholically to himself and kicked the ground aimlessly.
Of course his feet would have brought him to the Winery. Where else would he have gone? The winery was home to his favourite things. Nice People, Wine and… a certain someone.
“Maybe I should ask The Traveller out next time.” Kaeya sighed loudly to himself and turned around.
Kaeya felt a hand on his shoulders. He turned around, wondering who it was.
Kaeya gasped lightly to himself. His eyes widened with a mix of emotions. He took a step back.
“What do you want Diluc?” He asked.
“Kaeya.” Diluc said awkwardly, he retracted his hands. Sadness was visible in his eyes.
“You should come in for a drink.”
“I’m not in the mood for a drink. But I appreciate the offer.” He smiled faintly before trying to leave again.
Diluc grabbed onto Kaeya’s shoulders, with more force this time.
“Don’t go.” Diluc pleaded.
Kaeya stood still for a moment. He turned around.
“Diluc. As I’ve said before, we can’t be together. I’m a Khaenri'ah agent, a spy, a traitor. We’re just not meant to be. If you get entangled with me, you will only be met with misfortune.”
“I don’t care. Nothing else could ever be worse than not being with you.”
“You don’t understand what I mean don’t you? When- If the Abyss comes, they will wipe out everything in their path. You’ll die!” Kaeya exclaimed.
“I don’t care! Not being with you already feels like death to me. I don’t care if we’re not meant to be, I’ll just rewrite everything and defy fate to be with you.” Diluc shouted, conviction in his eyes.
“I don’t care if you’re a Khaenri’ah agent. I don’t care if you’re part of the abyss. You’re Kaeya Alberich, the dependable cavalry captain, the top-candidate for grandson-in-law... The guy I love. That’s all that matters!” Diluc’s face was bright red.
“You don’t have to put that façade up around me, I know you hate being alone.” Diluc continued.
Kaeya stood there in silence, staring at Diluc with an unidentifiable look.
I probably screwed this up again. Diluc thought to himself.
Just like that night. Diluc had always regretted the way he acted that night.
Suddenly, Diluc felt Kaeya’s arms wrap around him tightly. Diluc breathed in Kaeya’s familiar scent. He reciprocated the hug, wrapping his arms as tight as possible around Kaeya, never wanting to let go of him again.
“Thank you.” Kaeya whispered. Emotions overwhelmed him, tears fell from his eyes, flowing down his face down onto Diluc’s coat.
“Why are you crying?” Diluc chuckled and pushed Kaeya’s head down onto his shoulders as Kaeya’s body shook uncontrollably.
Kaeya shook his head, burying himself into Diluc’s steady shoulders. Those were the words he always secretly hoped someone would say to him. He had always wanted someone that could see and accept him. The true him.
Not him as the Khaenri’ah spy, not him as the friendly cavalry captain, but the true him.
Kaeya Alberich.
A simple and lonely guy who just wanted company and love.
Those words were the best gift he could get on this special day.
“Happy Birthday Kaeya.” Diluc whispered lovingly into Kaeya’s ear.