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It is finally winter and the people of Mondstadt have worked together to plough the snow that piled up by the gates and the front of their homes, and they've also put up banners for some Christmas event that the knights have prepared. There were colourful lights hung on the banners and the scent of fresh food wafted through the air as Good Hunter's doors were freely open around this time of the year, or rather, everyday of the year. People gathered in front of the Cathedral to watch the choir sing, dancing along to the tunes.
Their Archon watches them from a height, a smile spread across his face. He truly enjoyed seeing his people be free and joyous at such an occasion. Although he is not as well hidden as he thought he was because a certain bluenette sits by his side as he admires the dancing people in front of his own statue.
"Partying all alone? Hardly exciting, yet you have the widest smile I've ever seen you with."
"Ah, Sir Kaeya. To what do I owe the pleasure of you joining me, all the way up here where no eye could see?" Venti knew very well how Kaeya loved the attention, one which gives him the confidence to show the side of him that he wants to show. Venti glances at the bluenette, seeking for the other side he does not intend to share with others. Other than one person in particular. He sees Kaeya shrug as if he really was not sure but he is a child of freedom and here he sat next to the god himself. But he doesn't know that yet does he?
Venti pushes the half-empty bottle of wine towards Kaeya. "Mind a drink?"
"No, not today."
Although there was a solemn smile on Kaeya's face, tonight he'd rather enjoy the scenes of the crowd gathered below him. And later on, maybe enjoy a silent night with his lover, hopefully. He remembers just yesterday, when the two of them were bickering as always, but this fight seemed so serious to Diluc that he'd raised his voice at Kaeya. He wouldn't usually do so, especially when he knew what memories it evoked in the bluenette's mind. He could only stand there in shock, staring back at Kaeya's teary-eyed face and unable to apologise. Kaeya had walked out in silence and never came back to the winery since.
He wonders what Diluc is doing at this very moment.
"Maybe if you sigh a little less, you will get to enjoy what is down there; a fest!" Venti stands up, pulls on Kaeya's wrist and wraps his arms around the bluenette's shoulders. "Let us dance as well!"
Kaeya lets out a huff but sways with Venti's whims anyway, letting out a little laugh every once in a while to let his mind drift anywhere else but Diluc. However, Diluc is the only one that wants to occupy his mind at the moment. He grins sourly at himself, how could he walk out on his lover like that when he would just regret it anyway? When he would miss the warmth of his lover's arms and the way he would cling onto his shoulders when they kissed, just like how Venti was holding onto him right now. Everything reminds him of Diluc.
"Come on~ How could this lonely bard enjoy this dance when his partner's mind is in a trance?" Venti pulls away from Kaeya, grabbing the still bottle of wine that looked like it was about to fall to the edge of the building. Kaeya stands there in defeat still with a grin, if a bard could tell he was out of his mind just now, he's sure the observant Diluc would see through him as well. Diluc, Diluc, Diluc. He might as well write down his name on every piece of paper he grabs.
"Look!"
Kaeya's eyes snap back to Venti, the bard's hand outstretched and his eyes upturned. The bluenette follows his gaze and his jaw drops at the white flakes that fall on the tip of his nose. More of them follow, covering the skies with the brilliant colour of pearl. He stands there in awe for a moment before his feet take him for a journey out of the city. When Venti finally looks to where Kaeya was, he finds the spot empty and his head tilts in amusement as he laughs merrily.
Before Kaeya could leave the city, he spots a patch of red from afar and he beams. The universe couldn't have made it easier for him to reach the man he longed for. But before he could take a step forward, he noticed the anxious look on the red-head's face. He was looking around frantically yet subtly as if he didn't want the people to notice. Kaeya steps back.
"Is he looking for me?"
Diluc's gaze meets the bluenette's and his eyes brighten at the sight of his lover. Kaeya swoons just a little when he sees that and he finally takes another step forward, and another. The two of them meet halfway, Diluc finds himself throwing his arms around Kaeya's shoulders, not caring who can see them. He just misses Kaeya so much, he could barely contain himself. Kaeya's arms wrap around Diluc's waist as well, resting his chin on his boyfriend's shoulder. "Diluc, you're here."
"I came."
Kaeya nods his head happily. "You did. And I've missed you so much."
Neither of them pulled back from the hug, they could stay there as much as they wanted, no matter the stares they were getting. They cling onto each other so tightly, they might as well glue themselves together. Diluc finds himself burying his face in Kaeya's neck, inhaling his chilly scent as the tears that threatened to spill from his eyes finally fall. Kaeya cradles his lover's head, his fingers combing through his red locks. "I'm here too."
"I'm sorry."
Surprised, Kaeya's hand paused from combing through Diluc's hair. His eyes flutter close as his own tears also try to fall from his lids. "Why would you apologise? It's my fault, I didn't think about it. Let's talk about it more, hm?"
Kaeya feels Diluc nod his head and he nuzzles his cheek against Diluc's head. The comfort he's been looking for has been found, finally. When the red-head finally pulled away, his tear-stained cheeks were immediately wiped by Kaeya's fingers and kissed by his warm lips. The bluenette could taste the salty tears that remained on Diluc's face. They revel in the silence between them even when the background noise was louder than ever and even when there were so many bystanders watching them.
Diluc would mind usually but when he's missed his lover's touch for an entire night and a day, he doesn't need to see whoever was around them. Kaeya is right in front of him, holding him, kissing him, loving him.
"Look, Diluc. Look up."
Confused, still sniffing like a child, the red-head looks up. All he could see was white; the top of the buildings were covered in white, the unmoving strings that held the banners also had a string of white, as the same white flakes floated down right above, Diluc was in awe. The first snow of the year and he happens to be outside the winery, not busy, just outside. He always misses the first snow but he had his reasons, yet now he was watching it unfold. With Kaeya.
Diluc looks down again, finding that the bluenette is already staring back at him, eyebrows raised. "Well?"
Diluc suppresses a laugh. "I feel like hugging you again."
Kaeya smirks as he steps back from Diluc, teasing the red-head. Finally, when Kaeya is no longer the only sight he sees, the corner of his eyes catches the crowd gathering. Too flustered to deal with it, he tries to catch Kaeya by the waist but the other is too agile and slips through the people, wanting Diluc to catch him with a game.
"Aw, aren't they cute?"
"Isn't that Master Diluc? Why is he chasing after Sir Kaeya? Did they fight again?"
"Fight? They were hugging in the middle of the street just a few minutes ago."
Diluc's ears catch everything they say and he decides this is the best time to run after Kaeya, away from curious eyes and blabbering mouths. He could hear the familiar laugh resound from behind a wall. With a gruntle, Diluc tries to grab onto the cloth that he sees peeking out of the corner.
Kaeya bursts out laughing even louder when he's caught. "Okay okay, you got me."
Again, Diluc is pulled in a warm embrace, a head nuzzled into his neck. The two of them sway to a distant melody as Kaeya's fingers draw circles on Diluc's waist intimately. They would always end up in each other's arms, there is no doubt about that. But there would always come times, days when they fought about silly little things that they could've resolved by simply communicating. No relationship has ever been smooth, Kaeya knew that, Diluc even more. But there's always more space in their minds and hearts to learn what they need to know to improve. After all, it's always been the two of them ever since they were children, they know each other's antics a little too well. In fact, Diluc could point out how Kaeya is feeling at the moment by just looking at his eyes. The stars in them always spoke to him.
But even if they'd grown up together, even if they'd shared everything with each other, they won't avoid issues. They at least know they have each other to solve it.
Diluc is just happy to be with Kaeya.
"I still think you should go to Inazuma. They have good sake, extend the business, you know."
"Kaeya!"