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Walking up to a cold spot was not how you were expecting to start your day. Waving it off as official knight’s business, you sluggishly went about your morning. Until finally, over your morning brew, did it dawn on you.
“Archons! It’s his birthday.” You set the mug in the sink, ready to run to his office.
You paused, “Wait… Jean must have given him a day off though…”
It was too early to be at the taverns, and he doesn’t really have… friends
So…
“Starshine…” You whispered, placing a hand over your mouth, heart thumping wildly.
He must have gone home, likely subconsciously, but—
A unique knock at your door broke your train of thought, as it could only be one person.
Smoothing out your emotions, you opened the door. “Good morning, Diluc.”
He gave you a curt nod, then thrusted a basket towards you. From the bottle of wine peeking from beneath the thin sheet, and the lack of eye contact on Diluc’s part, you knew exactly what this was for.
“You should join us.”
He declined. “I really shouldn’t.”
But you pushed. “I’ll just tell him it's from you.”
His neutral frown soured. “It’d only dampen the mood.”
You sighed, and took the basket. “Fine, fine. I’ll get you one day, Diluc.”
He gave a short, mirthless laugh. “That’ll be the day, won’t it...”
Making your way to the tall cliffs east of the Dawn Winery, you found Kaeya enchanted by a flock of crystalflies.
“I’ve never seen this many in one place before.” You commented.
If he was startled, he didn’t show it. Instead, he faced you with that veiled smile.
“Neither have I. Maybe they know that today is different from the others.”
A frown wanted to pull at your lips, but you schooled your features.
Spreading out the sheet, you asked. “Just today? Every day is different from the others, though.”
He didn’t answer, and on this, you did not push.
The spread before you was definitely not something you could muster without days of preparation, so Diluc’s wish of staying out of this was tossed to the winds.
“All of this for me? You shouldn’t have.” You shrugged. “Ah, and you didn’t.”
You snorted. “I would need a week to prepare something this magnificent.”
You thought a joke would lighten the mood, but the storm cloud of thoughts were relentless in his mind.
You pulled him just as the first drops rolled down his cheeks.
“Starshine…” You cooed, fingers weaving through his hair. “You know he still loves you. Everyone at the winery does.”
He opened his mouth, the response getting caught in his throat.
“I know it's hard to accept, but please know…” You kissed the crown of his head, then continued
“…that you are loved by many, Kaeya Alberich.”