Chapter Text
It was a very late evening, dark and rainy. Kaeya stopped for a moment, searching for dim lights of the manor in the mist of rain. His mind was troubled with many thoughts after he had stayed for dinner with Diluc and Aether. Something bothered him after he had left in such a haste. Like he wanted to apologize for this rushed departure. Like he wanted to see his brother’s face once more but without any other people around. Like… damn, who knows why he was wandering around for some hours after work, not minding the rain.
He stopped before the winery’s door for a moment and then knocked.
Then there came exclamations of anger from Adelinde. How could master Kaeya walk in such weather! Oh, there isn’t any dry spot on him at all. Master Kaeya should immediately sit before the fireplace and drink something hot.
Diluc came down from the stairs, probably attracted by their noise.
“Kaeya?” his brother said. “Why are you—”
He stopped suddenly, just staring at Adelinde who was dragging Kaeya to the sofa near the fireplace. Then Diluc took some logs and threw them into the small fire. When the head housemaid left, Diluc came closer to his brother.
“You should take off your boots. And your clothes, they are dripping.”
Diluc hastily sat down near his legs and pulled off one of his boots, then another.
Wonderful thing it was, Kaeya felt unusually quiet this evening. He was observing his brother but still he has not come with any explanation for his visit at such a time.
Nor for how he was treated at this moment.
Adelinde brought a tray with two steaming cups of something, and then she left.
“Well, it’s good that you came,” said Diluc in his familiar calm and deep voice. “We are terrible at talking in public. Even if it’s in front of the traveller though.”
What nonsense. My visit here is pointless. What was I going to do? Apologize? For what?
Kaeya turned his head away.
“Yeah, you’re right,” he said.
The truth was so simple. Simple and unbearable.
He desperately needed a drink and to get drunk not to feel this way anymore.
“Drink this,” said the owner of that voice again and took his cup. “Do you know what it is? It’s mulled wine.”
Kaeya turned his head slightly to face his brother, but was unaware that Diluc’s eyes were gazing back at him. They seemed like two warm smouldering embers.
“Some of your non-alcoholic stuff as usual?” Kaeya asked with a weak smirk.
“Just… give it a taste, would you?”
Diluc put his cup back on the coffee table and grabbed another one to give it to Kaeya, placing his free hand on Kaeya’s shoulder. He froze, feeling its weight.
Then the hand left his shoulder to hold the cup more tightly.
“Drink it, you’ll feel better.”
Kaeya closed his eyes and obeyed, taking a few sips from the cup right from Diluc’s hands. The beverage was indeed made with real wine.
“God, you’re shaking,” Diluc murmured. He returned the cup on the table and touched Kaeya’s forehead.
His hand, usually warm and soft, now felt even colder than Kaeya’s own skin.
“You’re feverish. I need to—” Diluc stood up and walked away in a rush.
“Don’t go, Luc… Don’t leave me,” Kaeya heard his own voice, it was so weak that he hated it. He hated himself and this winery. Everything, it was just too good for him. He needed to be at a noisy tavern with drunk people wasting their lives, or probably somewhere in the wild, in a cold and wet cave or in some dirty ditch. Just useless and lonely exactly as he felt at this moment.
“I’m here.” Diluc reappeared with a plaid, and then covered Kaeya with it. “Come on, you need to go to bed. I’ll take you to the bedroom.”
Kaeya did not remember how he got to this small guest bedroom. Diluc probably helped him, supporting him all the way up the stairs. The room was dark and quiet. Kaeya noticed that he was alone here and it made him come to his senses. He sat on the bed with an effort, then slowly stood up and moved to a little hearth, which was empty and cold.
“So cold,” he muttered, sitting near the hearth and trying to find something to make fire.
So, Diluc left at last. He could not stand his miserable brother after all, could he?
Soon the door opened and Diluc entered with a bundle of logs.
“Kaeya, go back to bed. Better let me do it.”
This is Diluc as he is. He will do everything better of course. He rose up, walked back to bed, and threw himself on the covers, closing his eyes.
He heard the fire starting, a sequence of steps, and a faint rustle of clothes. And Diluc lied down on the bed next to him. He was facing Kaeya, lying in his side, left hand supporting his head.
“Do you need anything? Maybe a snack or a drink?”
Kaeya shook his head. He reached Diluc’s shoulder and pulled him closer, then hugged him very tightly. Diluc took a deep breath and held him, closing his arms around Kaeya’s back and pressing his cheek into his brother’s neck.
They fell asleep this way. Kaeya opened his eyes, suddenly awakening, and found himself lying on Diluc’s chest. Diluc was embracing him. He was still asleep, his pale skin glowing in the dusky room, his long red hair scattered on the quilt.
How beautiful, Luc. Kaeya gazed at him, not even trying to quiet his thoughts, which had seemed to be sounding in his own voice. I love you.
He moved his hand to Diluc’s face, and after a few moments of hesitation touched his brother’s lips. He gently brushed them a few times with his fingers.
“Kiss me, Luc.”
Diluc opened his mouth and caught Kaeya’s finger with a soft bite. Kaeya closed his eyes tightly, because he was aware that this was all a dream.
But he felt Diluc’s hand on his chin pulling his face closer, and then soft and hot lips touched his own mouth.
Did he say those words aloud?
Kaeya woke up late in the morning. It was still raining, and the sky was heavy and gloomy. He found his dried clothes and boots here in the room.
So he left. How predictable of my brother, he thought in his usual manner, trying to make a joke out of things that he held closest to the heart. Trying to pretend he did not need them at all. Then what was he doing here? Whom was he trying to deceive?
He pulled his boots and jacket on and looked at the bed where he had slept. It was quite messy indeed, because they had lied down right on the quilt, not bothering to take it off the bed. So they really fell asleep here together till morning, hugging each other. Kissing each other?
You’re dreaming, Kaeya. Is it worth to believe in such a weak flame? It’s no good for keeping you warm. He turned his head to the window and then noticed a small piece of paper lying on the nightstand.
“Come for dinner tonight,” it said.
Kaeya laughed quietly. So easy it all is, he thinks. He was avoiding this place, and their closeness, for so long. Could it be changed in one evening? In one kiss? In your dreams, Kaeya.
He placed a note where he had picked it up and left the room, and then the winery.