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“Today’s a very special day, Kaeya. Do you know what day it is?” His mother’s soft-spoken voice whispered quietly, just barely heard over the hustle and bustle of palace workers, knights, and advisors.
They shuffle around, placing down tables and chairs, party streamers and fine ceramic plates made before the Cataclysm destroyed the old Khaenri’ah. A testament to their wealth and status, a symbol of royalty. At his young age, he didn’t realize this. They were simply ceramic plates with the odd chip and crack, nothing more, nothing less. And yet, they were home. This was home.
“It’s my birthday today!” He squeaked with his young, childish voice, eyes sparkling and a wide smile on his face.
“That’s right!” His mother smiled back, holding him close from behind whilst he sat on her lap, overseeing everything from her throne next to his father’s.
The royal hall was filled with life now, far more entertaining than the usual boring silence of waiting. Waiting for somebody to walk in with news, or for someone to stumble upon the throne seeking advice from the regent family. Kaeya would sit on the floor near them, playing with his toys while he listened. He was good at listening.
“Will papa have dinner with us?” Kaeya asked, twisting his head to look at her as well as he could, given his position. He was taught that looking at people while speaking was important for a prince. An important skill to maintain.
“Of course, just give him some time.” She pinched his cheek, tugging at it gently, “He’s working hard to make sure your 6th birthday is a special one. You’re growing up so fast!”
“Mama…” He whined, pulling his face away from her hand, away from the embarrassment of having his cheek pinched in public.
“Happy birthday, Kaeya.” She rubbed his head instead, running her fingers through his hair. He relaxed against her, embracing the familiar warmth. He missed this feeling of pure bliss, the familiar happiness that warmed his cold body up. It was always too good to be true for him.
It’s time to wake up now. Dreams this nice aren’t supposed to last.
Kaeya awoke with a groan, rolling onto his side if only to get just a few more minutes of blissful rest. The sun was beaming through his window, right onto his face as he struggled to hide his eyes away from it. It was cold, the light patches of snow on the ground outside reflecting the sun off of it and sparkling like gems. The world had no intention of letting him sleep, so he sat up.
Squinting at the clock on his wall, the hands read 7:30 A.M. November 30th, early morning with no birds chirping. Just howling winds and a headache that seemed to spawn out of nowhere. On any other day, he’d ignore it and continue on, dressing himself up for work and making himself appear presentable to the public.
He remembered a few words Jean told him the day before, “Tomorrow’s your birthday, you have the day off.”
And he sighed. A day with no work, and a birthday with nobody but himself to celebrate with.
He used to celebrate with his mother and father, with the whole kingdom offering gifts and congratulations on growing up. He used to celebrate with Master Crepus and Diluc, with warm smiles and a warm, comfortable fire to sit next to while he opened up the small presents they bought for him. A younger Kaeya would smile shyly and thank them all, holding his new gifts in hand with a gentle kindness.
But his mother and father were gone, and Crepus was dead.
Diluc couldn’t even look him in the eyes without that familiar glare etched into his expression.
Kaeya could really use a drink.
He tossed the blanket covering him over, rolling out of bed and standing up with a stretch. He slowly shuffled over to his wardrobe, taking out his usual attire and tossing it on nonchalantly, only making sure everything was where it should be. Corset tied snugly, cape over his shoulder, gloves covering his scarred and calloused hands. A fake smile. Deeming himself ready, he slipped his boots on and stalked out the door, closing it behind him.
The streets of Mondstadt were still relatively empty besides the occasional knight or early worker. Mondstadt’s chilling wind slapped his cheek harshly, a biting cold waking him up more than he was just a moment ago. The cold was thrilling, a way for him to feel alive. It’s a harsh contrast to the warmth of his home.
“Careful, Kae! I don’t want you to get sick on your birthday!”
He huffed, crossing his arms against his chest. The memories that haunted him kept coming back today, wrapping their hands around his neck. Choking him. He wanted them to go away, to stop plaguing his thoughts. The past was dead. It was gone, there was no reason for him to dwell on it today.
Perhaps a small part of him longed for the familiarity of a birthday spent with people he loved. He knew that was impossible.
The tavern was open now, the sign on the door flipped. His short, thoughtful walk only made him more desperate for the familiar taste of a Death After Noon and the feeling of being buzzed. The door creaked open, closing behind him as he entered the bar, seeing nobody but Master Diluc himself standing behind the counter. Something was off.
It wasn’t usual for Diluc to be the only one here, even at this hour.
“Master Diluc, you’re certainly working early today.” He grinned, donning his mask of confidence as he sauntered over towards the bar and sat himself down on a stool.
He didn’t need to say anything for Diluc to slide him a glass of wine, “I had a feeling you’d come in today.”
“Oh? And what’s that supposed to mean?” He sniffed the wine, just to make sure, before taking a sip out of the glass.
On occasions like today, Diluc would often slide him a glass of grape juice rather than wine, knowing well that Kaeya has a distaste for it. Numerous times he’s had to make sure, and numerous times he was forced to walk out after Diluc refused to serve him alcohol. It seemed today was different.
“You frequent the tavern on important days like this. It’s merely an observation.” He crossed his arms, looking down at him with those burning crimson eyes, “However, I wanted to see you today.”
“You? Wanted to see me?” That caught Kaeya’s attention, eyebrows raised in surprise, “Surely you jest. You never want to see me willingly.”
“Kaeya, nobody’s around. I don’t know why you feel the need to keep the act up.” Diluc sighed, stepping away from behind the counter to approach him.
Kaeya’s smile fell, “You’ve confused me.”
“I just… Wanted to apologize. I know you believe I hate you, but I don’t. I… Could never seem to find the right time to say it.” Diluc uncrossed his arms, slipping a hand into his coat’s pocket to take out a sealed letter, red wax with the Ragnvindr R in cursive stamped neatly on the paper.
“I know an apology won’t simply fix things overnight. But I want to set things right. And I figured, now would be the best time to do it.” He held out the letter for Kaeya to take, waiting patiently for the silent man to do something, “Happy Birthday, Kaeya.”
Why? Why now? Why on the day he wished so desperately to forget the past?
The grip he had on the wine glass tightened, his sips turning into full gulps as he quickly downed the glass and took the letter from Diluc. He stuffed it into his pocket, resting his head against the counter as he thought. Minutes passed, and yet Diluc said nothing. He simply stood there waiting for him to say something.
“...Alright. I’ll try.” He mumbled, letting go of the empty glass he forgot he was still holding. “I didn’t think you’d want to be brothers again.”
“When I returned after running away, I wanted to apologize. But you were so unapproachable then, and you constantly tried getting under my skin whenever I attempted to talk to you. I never could get the words out,” Diluc explained, rubbing the back of his neck with a gloved hand. “I know a simple apology isn’t enough.”
“I forgave you a long time ago.” Kaeya sat up, standing from his seat on the barstool.
“Then why…” Diluc was interrupted, pulled into a hug with Kaeya’s arms wrapped tightly against him.
Kaeya was quick to bury his face in Diluc’s shoulder, taking in all of his warmth while leaving his bitter cold behind. He refused to let go, waiting for Diluc to return the hug. With hesitant arms, Diluc slowly wrapped them around Kaeya, pulling him closer.
“I…” Kaeya paused, thinking to himself for a second. He decided he should finish. “I missed this.”
Diluc smiled softly, “I missed this, too.”
“I missed you,” Kaeya mumbled, hiding his face further into Diluc’s shoulder.
“I missed you too, Kaeya,” Diluc spoke patiently, without the poison that usually laced his voice during their arguments.
Perhaps this birthday was one worth celebrating after all.
