Archive of Our Own

Diluc Ragnvindr is a lot of things.

Well-dressed, articulate, wealthy, the owner of the loveliest cock this side of Teyvat, Kaeya’s sure, but if there is one thing he is not, it is prone to tardiness.

Be that as it may, it appears that he is late.

Very late.

Approximately fifty-six minutes and seventeen seconds late, to be precise… not that Kaeya is counting, or anything.

(He’s certainly not shoving his pocket watch back into his vest for the fifth time since he’s sat down.)

It’s well past noon now, and he's been watching the sun creep across the square in Mondstadt, perched on a chair at Good Hunter, awaiting Diluc’s arrival. He watches as the line of cats scoot closer to the stairs, following the warmth of daylight.

Kaeya frowns.

Actually, despite Diluc’s penchant for punctuality, this is the third time this month he’s been late for one of their dates. Admittedly, he’s a little worried he might simply not show this time.

Hm.

Slightly subpar, Kaeya thinks.

He sighs, reaching out to take a sip of the sunsettia juice he’d ordered while awaiting his dearest. Certainly not the best pattern Diluc has ever fallen prey to, though he must admit, as the great sages and scholars of Sumeru say: shit happens.

"Sir Kaeya?"

A soft voice rouses him from his pondering, and he glances up to see Sara, a bag in hand, standing in front of the table he's occupied for the better part of an hour.

"I don't mean to bother you, but I have to make a delivery so I'll be away from the restaurant for a bit. Did you want to put an order in before I left, or…" she trails off, glancing at the untouched glass of grape juice sitting in the spot next to him. There's a bit of a pause before she continues, pursing her lips. "Are you still waiting?"

Oh, gods. 

Kaeya is not a fan of the look she's giving him. 

Gentle and worried, she peers at him and he waves her off. "No, thank you, Sara. I believe I'll just pay for my drinks and be on my way."

As soon as he reaches for the pouch of mora in his vest, she stops him. "Oh, no, that's quite alright. It's just some juice. Consider it on the house.”

He’s torn between arguing and graciously accepting when Sara reaches out and gives him a little pat on the shoulder, and somehow the look on her face is even worse now.

Is it sympathy or pity? Kaeya can’t decide. Either way it makes him cringe. Barbatos knows by the time the sun sets, half the city will be well-aware of the fact that Captain Kaeya Was Stood Up For Lunch Today!

He bites his tongue, swallows his pride, and offers Sara a polite smile before thanking her graciously, and watches as she meanders off to complete her delivery.

Ah, well. Time to get to work, he supposes, polishing off his sunsettia juice and casting a glance at the still-full glass of grape juice sitting at the empty space next to him. 

After this day, Kaeya needs a drink.

Or three.

The thought hangs onto him throughout the day. Mostly, it’s paperwork, and a meeting with Jean and Amber to discuss any updates on Hilichurl movements outside of the city. There’s nothing new, and the day slinks by slower than Kaeya can handle.

He can hardly be blamed for sneaking out an hour before his shift is supposed to end, all of his paperwork complete and neatly piled in a drawer, the only thing on his mind a nice cold Death After Noon.

Truth be told, Diluc’s company couldn’t hurt either - especially after his failure to appear at their designated afternoon lunch date. 

Hell, maybe he can blow off some steam and indulge in one of his well-versed past times: pushing Diluc’s buttons. Perhaps he could get a free drink out of it. Better yet, maybe he could grate on Diluc’s nerves enough to watch his patience crack. Couldn’t hurt, he thinks as he crosses the town square - or it could. Pleasantly. It’s been a while since he’s been bent over the bar after closing after all, he thinks with a little snicker to himself. Either way, Angels Share beckons to him in the dim Mondstadt evening, and he continues his trek.

The heavy door to the tavern swings open and the warm, familiar interior calls to Kaeya. It’s busy tonight, and the sound of a lyre being plucked is the first thing he hears. He takes a deep breath as he crosses to the bar, settling onto an empty stool, letting whatever tall-tale Venti has begun to sing drift through his ears.

It’s a pleasant little tune, just loud enough over the ever-present chatter in the tavern, and Kaeya lets tension ease from his shoulders before he tilts his head to take in the scenery.

There are a few knights at a table corner playing cards, some of the adventurer’s guild, and even Wagner is perched at the bar two seats over, nursing a large mug of beer. Seems as if Kaeya’s not the only one who needs to blow off some steam this evening.

“Sir Kaeya,” a voice jolts him from his thoughts, and that’s not Diluc, he thinks, turning back to the other side of the bar to see Charles standing there.

“Charles,” he greets pleasantly, though he gives the first level another quick once-over. “Master Diluc not in tonight?”

“Afraid not,” Charles informs him, already reaching for a glass. “He left some time ago. Had some business to attend to.”

“Hm,” Kaeya murmurs, and Charles knows him well enough to begin mixing a Death After Noon without hesitation. “Been rather booked lately, hasn’t he?” 

“Indeed,” the bartender agrees and Kaeya watches on as the golden dandelion wine mixes into the glass.

“Will he be back this evening?” Kaeya inquires, trying not to sound like he’s been taking lessons from Donna, though after these past few weeks he’s starting to feel like he’s turning into her - pining for Diluc’s time and attention from afar.

Internally he cringes at the notion, gladly taking a large gulp of his drink when Charles slides it across the bar.

“It’s unlikely he’ll be back. Would you like to leave a message for him?” 

Kaeya shakes his head, imbibing further and letting the alcohol fill his mouth, focusing on the ever-familiar, delicious taste.

“Long day?” Charles asks. Kaeya winces slightly at the burn of the alcohol at the back of his throat, offering him a grimace of a smile when he sets the glass down.

“With the Knights? Always,” he exclaims, trying to let the tension bleed out of his forced smile, and it takes a moment, but Charles just nods understandingly.

“First one’s on the house,” Charles says. Kaeya’s brows arch as he swallows and he lifts his drink in thanks.

“Oh? Don’t tell Master Diluc,” he jokes, and Charles responds with a little chuckle before he’s wandering off to attend to some of the other patrons. 

With that, whatever song Venti was serenading the tavern with ends, finished off with a dramatic little lyre flourish. The patrons seem in a jolly mood tonight, offering up some applause that Kaeya would deem a bit overzealous, but he sets his drink down and turns in his seat to offer up polite applause of his own.

“Thank you, thank you,” Venti exclaims over the noise, bowing, then curtsying, and Kaeya raises an eyebrow. As if Venti could sense his gaze, he meets Kaeya’s eye and grins. It’s that grin Diluc has bemoaned seeing many-a-time before Venti decided to indulge in some of his trademark bullshittery.

As the lithe little bard slides onto the empty stool next to Kaeya, he internally prepares himself for a conversation that will be no doubt riveting.

“Bard,” he greets, polite but short, and Venti’s sliding a mug of half-drunk golden liquid - most likely dandelion wine from before his set, Kaeya notes. There’s a chance he’s already a couple jumps past tipsy, and the way he tosses it back and finishes it off in one fell swoop, well… If he isn’t yet, he most certainly is about to be.

“The esteemed Cavalry Captain of the Knights,” Venti proclaims when he polishes off his drink, setting the mug down with a clatter. “What brings you to this fine establishment this evening? Eager to watch Mondstadt’s favorite bard give yet another spectacular performance?”

“I’m afraid I can’t say that was the main reason,” Kaeya admits, setting his glass down. “I was merely looking to unwind after my day, and I could practically hear a Death After Noon calling my name.”

“Cheers to that,” Venti says, a little slurred, and raises his empty mug. "Angels Share truly is the place to be… ah, well, despite the absence of Master Diluc's fine bartending.”

“I can hear you, you know,” Charles interjects as approaches and closes the flat top of the bar counter behind him, mugs in hand. 

“Ah, ha, not that Charles is anything short of spectacular,” Venti attempts to backpedal, and Kaeya’s not sure if the flush on his cheeks is from the alcohol or embarrassment. Maybe both.

“Another, Sir Kaeya?” Charles asks, setting the armful of empty drinkware down.

“Please. And his next one is on me,” Kaeya exclaims, jabbing his thumb towards the tipsy bard next to him.

“How generous of you!”

They lapse into the closest thing to silence as Charles sorts their drinks out. Beside Kaeya, Venti is humming a tune he can’t quite place, and luckily, that quiet continues for a long moment after Charles wraps up. Venti practically dives for his drink the moment it’s pushed across the bar. He makes a stifled noise, face deep in his mug, and when he pulls it back, golden wine drips down his chin. 

“Problems of the heart, my dear Captain?” He suddenly prods.

Kaeya arches one finely manicured brow.

“And what would give you that impression, bard?” He inquires, tilting his head and peering at him curiously. “Being Cavalry Captain is not always a walk in the park. Work can be rather troublesome sometimes, you know.”

Venti hums, the tone somehow obviously disbelieving as he nods theatrically, leaning onto the bar beside Kaeya.

“Is that why you were sitting at Good Hunter alone all afternoon looking like a kicked puppy?” He asks with big eyes, and Kaeya briefly contemplates strangling him.

“Were you watching me, bard?” He inquires, narrowing his good eye suspiciously at the drunken fellow beside him. Venti shrugs.

“You just looked so sad. I couldn’t help myself.”

Kaeya snorts. “Did you just come over to insult me?”

Venti has the audacity to look appalled.

“Me? Insult the Cavalry Captain? I would never. I simply came over to join you in drinking your pain away.”

“Ah, I see. And what pain would you be drinking away this chilly autumn eve?” Kaeya asks.

“Stubbed my toe incredibly hard this morning,” Venti tells him.

Kaeya merely nods in understanding. “Tragic.”

“The truth, my dear knight,” Venti begins, dramatic as ever, “is that I overheard you talking to Charles about Master Diluc’s absence. It was quite easy to put two and two together!”

Kaeya does his best not to shoot him a sideways glare, the alcohol in his system urging him to take his disdain out on someone. Instead he swallows another large sip of his drink, humming, as Venti continues.

“And when Charles mentioned that he wouldn’t be back this evening, you looked, well… a little like a dog in the rain.”

Kaeya is beginning to understand why Diluc kicks Venti out of the bar sometimes.

“Alright, enough with the canine metaphors,” he says, wishing desperately that he was on drink four instead of drink two. “Get to the point, bard.”

“Apologies, been writing a ballad about our local wolf boy,” Venti exclaims, waving a hand dismissively. He leans onto the bar with a look Kaeya doesn’t like. “Anywho, it does seem like Master Diluc has been quite busy lately.”

Kaeya doesn’t bother interrupting, allowing Venti to continue.

“Between his, ahem, activities, and the meetings he’s been taking at the Knights of Favonius headquarters…”

That catches Kaeya’s attention. It’s one thing that Venti knows about his vigilante nonsense, but another that Diluc has been spending time at the Knights headquarters without Kaeya knowing? He has to train his face to avoid outright showing his surprise, but he’s almost positive that’s the reaction Venti was going for. Kaeya licks his lips clean of liquor after he finishes off his drink.

“Whoops,” Venti exclaims, and Kaeya immediately knows he’s fallen for a trap by the smug tone of voice the bard adopts. “My apologies, it appears as if that’s news to you!”

Kaeya’s eye twitches just the slightest, and he forces a laugh and a smile, tilting his head to the side curiously.

“And how can you be so sure?”

“Please! In order to be the best at what I do, one must be observant,” Venti proclaims, raising a finger for emphasis, spilling his drink just slightly in the process. Kaeya eyes the little puddle on the floor for a second.

“Yes,” Kaeya says flatly. “Very observant, you are.”

“Indeed,” Venti proclaims proudly with a little grin. He clears his throat, setting down his mug clumsily. “Now, I must get back to my performance. A man has to earn his keep! Isn’t that right, Charles?”

“You’re not getting free drinks,” Charles calls out. Venti laughs.

“Don’t listen to him,” he exclaims before hopping back off the stool, surprisingly agile for how drunk he is. Kaeya takes a moment to wonder just how much practice he has with performing while sloshed.

He drags his stool with him this time, over to the spot next to the door, and clears his throat loudly before strumming a pretty chord on the lyre.

"This next song is dedicated to our well-beloved Captain Kaeya," he calls out, and is met with an unnecessarily loud whoop from one table filled with younger knights, drunk and rowdy. With another chord, he breaks into a song Kaeya doesn’t know, slightly off-key, and with that, he figures that’s his sign to call it a night.

By the time Kaeya leaves Angels Share, the night chill has set in and he only has one thought tumbling around in his tipsy little brain: bed.

Soft, warm bed.

It’s late enough that the square is quiet. Everyone has gone to their respective homes, likely already curled up comfortably for the evening, and shortly, Kaeya will be no exception.

His apartment is chilly and dark and he barely makes it out of his pants before he’s flinging himself onto the mattress, clumsily tugging at the blankets to climb beneath them. Once he does, he heaves the longest sigh known to mankind, sinking into the plush pillows and allowing himself to be cradled gently by the arms of slumber that call him.

His eyes flutter open and he realizes he’s forgotten to turn the lamp off.

Lazily he flings his hand to the table, feeling around for the switch, and when he can’t find it he lets out a grunt, arm flopping back off the side of the bed. 

A problem for a less tired version of himself, he thinks distantly, shifting and tugging the blanket closer around himself. It has been far too long of a day, with far too many little letdowns, and the room being slightly too bright will not deter him from his slumber, not today.

Instead, it is the sound of the window to his bedroom rattling that does it. 

He freezes, eyes popping open as he peers across the room. It stops, for a fraction of a second before starting up again, this time more aggressively. He barely has time to jump out of bed and create a dagger made of ice before it flings open, a cold autumn breeze bursting into his room.

“I have a wea–”

He’s interrupted when a dark cloaked figure slips past the frame, boots hitting the floor, and the second the intruder steadies themselves, they turn to look at Kaeya, red eyes finding his.

God dammit. 

“You had your light on,” Diluc breathes as he flips the end of his cloak, tugging it towards him and bringing the cold air with him. Kaeya wants to whine like a petulant child. 

“Close the window,” he complains sharply instead, letting the clumsy dagger made of cryo evaporate into nothingness. “It’s freezing out there.”

The other man obliges, shutting the window and curtains as Kaeya climbs back into bed, still eager to wrap himself in his comforter. 

“I thought you dealt well with the cold.”

“Be quiet and come warm me up,” Kaeya retorts, scooting over to one side and flipping the blanket back to welcome Diluc into his bed. 

After a long moment of watching Diluc undress, Kaeya turns to switch off the lamp on the bedside table, only the dim light of street lamps creeping through the curtains. He clambers in next to Kaeya, bringing remnants of the smell of the winter’s evening, along with his familiar scent, and Kaeya immediately relaxes, taking a deep breath.

That is, until Diluc reaches out and touches his skin, so cold it makes him nearly jump back out of bed.

“Archons! Your hands are fucking freezing,” Kaeya complains instantly, going to slap his hands away. Diluc just chuckles, smiling at him in the dim light before he takes a moment to rub his palms together, and then reaches out to touch him again. Kaeya braces himself, ready to jolt, but this time his touch is warm, no doubt thanks to the blessing of the pyro archon. 

“Better?” Diluc asks, and Kaeya nods, burrowing deeper into the blanket atop them both.

“Better,” he agrees, and then Diluc is pulling him close. Kaeya shivers - less related to the remaining chill in the air and more about the fact that he and Diluc haven’t stayed in the same bed in too long. He makes a soft noise then, leaning closer to bury his face in Diluc’s chest, inhaling his scent, and despite himself, his body responds.

“Really?” Diluc deadpans a moment later when Kaeya’s cock twitches against his thigh.

“I missed you,” Kaeya replies defensively, then nuzzles over a collar bone, pressing his lips to it gently. “And you smell nice.”

Diluc hums, a hand going to the back of Kaeya’s head, fingers threading through his navy hair. Kaeya lets the silence grow between them.

Hm.

Should he say something?

He’s a little disappointed he wasn’t privy to the occasion of pushing Diluc’s buttons tonight, but after this long day, being curled up next to him is making Kaeya rethink things. 

Although… the meetings Venti mentioned have his curiosity piqued.

He feels like he should say something.

Diluc heaves a long, relaxed breath, and Kaeya can feel the tension ease out of his body just a little bit. He must have been up to a lot today, he thinks. But that doesn’t invalidate the fact that he blew him off.

Hm. A conundrum for the ages. 

To speak, or let lie, Kaeya ponders silently. He purses his lips, readjusting his hold on Diluc. Perhaps he should let this slide. Then again, Diluc’s been rather… unavailable for quite some time. Their last canceled date comes to mind and Kaeya remembers with the tiniest amount of resentment the preparations he’d made for it - fancy special rope and imported Inazuman lube in particular. 

A shame, really. An expensive shame. They really ought to use that sometime soon–

“I can hear you thinking, Kaeya.”

Well, fuck, now he’s definitely going to say something.

"You missed lunch," he exclaims, and Diluc stops playing with his hair for just a moment. Kaeya tilts his head up, angling to peer at the other man, who looks down at him in the dim light of the room.

"I did?" He asks.

Kaeya frowns, and heaves a breath, burrowing deeper into Diluc's embrace.

"You certainly did," he proclaims, feigning haughtiness as he mouths at the warm skin of Diluc’s chest. "Left me sitting for an hour. Abandoned. The amount of pitying looks I got was record-breaking."

"Did someone's pity at least net you a free lunch?" Diluc deadpans. Kaeya outright bites him, and he tugs at Kaeya's hair playfully in return. 

"Ass," Kaeya complains in a low mumble. Diluc’s fingers ease through his dark locks, down and back up to scratch gently over his scalp in a way that makes Kaeya want to forgive him instantaneously.

He hums, the sound rumbling in his chest before he speaks. "I'm sorry. I thought it was tomorrow."

Kaeya makes a little noise before sighing dramatically.

“I suppose I can find it in my heart to forgive you… this time,” he says, reveling in the way sinking into Diluc’s embrace makes him feel safe.

“How generous of you,” Diluc exclaims dryly, though he apologetically strokes at Kaeya’s hair again. “Let me make it up to you. We’ll have a proper lunch tomorrow. On me.”

“You’re damned right ‘on you’,” Kaeya tells him sternly, but the little chuckle that Diluc lets out is enough to break his frustrated facade, and he can’t help the way his mouth twitches into a little smile against Diluc’s chest. He considers asking about the meetings, but instead continues. “One more condition.”

“Hm?”

“A kiss,” Kaeya presses, tilting his head up to look at Diluc. He just smiles, soft and gentle, the corners of his eyes crinkling, and then leans down to kiss Kaeya, all tender warmth.

It’s so good, so sweet, satisfying Kaeya in a simple, easy way, and the moment Diluc breaks away, he’s already leaning in for another.

And another.

He moans softly against Diluc’s lips, warm and tender.

Gods, Kaeya needs to be fucked.

He’s about to mention it slyly when Diluc pulls back, settling his head onto the pillow and pulling Kaeya snug against him. Though he is quite tired, he could certainly go for at least a round–

The sound of a snore stops his train of thoughts. He blinks, unsure as if he’s really heard it, and then another escapes Diluc.

Ah. Well. So much for that option.

With a little sigh, he lets it slip his mind, and closes his eyes, slowly drifting off with Diluc filling his senses.

-

Kaeya wakes to an empty bed the next morning.

Though the teensiest bit disappointing, it does not come as a surprise. It’s not exactly a day off for either of them, and often sleeping in (and other things that come along with extended mornings in bed) is a luxury they are not privy to.

He can’t find it himself to hold on to any disappointment when he rolls over and buries his face in the pillow Diluc had used last night, inhaling the scent of his shampoo. 

Perhaps he’s a bit too smitten sometimes, he thinks, sitting up after a long moment. Though it has been a long month, busy for the both of them, and especially after yesterday, he’s quite eager to see more of Diluc. 

There’s an undeniable spring in his step for the morning after dozing the night away in the arms of his beloved. Perhaps he was a little more touch starved than he cares to admit, and he files that away to think about later (or never, really.) He makes it through until eleven thirty, glancing at the clock eagerly, when there is a knock at the door of his office.

Oh. He’s early.

“Come in,” he practically sing-songs as he finishes his signature on a report with a little flourish.

“Delivery for you, Sir Kaeya,” a voice comes from the doorway, and well. That certainly is not Diluc.

When he glances up, instead of the familiar redhead, he is met with the sight of Noelle, a rather large parcel neatly wrapped in cloth in her clutches. He waves her in.

“Who is it from?” 

“Master Diluc.”

She lifts the package and places it on the table with a rather loud thump. Kaeya stares for a moment, then reaches to the note nestled underneath the tied cloth.

To K,

I hope you can find it in you to forgive me for breaking another date. Something has come up, and I regret to say I must deal with it in person immediately.

In the absence of my presence, I requested Adelinde prepare your favorites for a nice lunch, and some extras. Perhaps you can share with the Acting Grand Master and Lisa - I even had Adelinde include some cookies perfect for your tea breaks.

- D

Kaeya can hardly conceal his disappointment.

He does not pout, he does not sigh, he merely frowns and drops the neatly penned note on his desk, next to the still wrapped basket.

Well. Fuck.

He reaches out, undoing the loose knot in the fabric, and takes in the sight of all of the delicious treats filling it. Turnovers, cured meats, cheese, even a small bottle of wine… A shame he doesn’t have an appetite now, he thinks, though he eyes the wine a second longer.

“That’s… a lot of food,” Noelle observes suddenly, peering at the contents. Kaeya lifts a loaf of bread, raising a brow.

“Would you like some? Gods know I won’t eat it all by myself.”

Or at all, the vindictive, petty part of him thinks, stewing internally.

“Really?” The girl says, bright-eyed, and Kaeya lets slide the less than savory emotions he will no doubt have to deal with later. Instead, he smiles. “A-are you sure?”

“Of course,” he offers politely. “Anything but the cookies - I’m saving them for Lisa.”

Noelle looks far too excited and leans in to peruse the contents. Kaeya sits back, taking a long breath as she does, and he flips Diluc’s note up, skimming over it again.

I must deal with it in person immediately.

Hm.

A thought strikes him.

“Noelle,” he says, and she pauses, looking up at him, a wrapped pastry in hand. “Who brought this package?”

“Um,” she begins, sounding a little uncertain.

“Was it Master Diluc?” He presses. Noelle gives him an awkward little look, going to set the pastry back into the basket.

“I - I couldn’t say for sure,” she manages. Poor thing is a terrible liar, but fortunately it is Kaeya’s second nature. He smiles at her, plastic and put-on, but altogether quite convincing, and he sees the tension in her posture ease just the slightest bit.

“I see. Well, please, enjoy the pastry, and take some cheese as well if you’d like. Not really my cup of tea today.”

She heaves a little sigh of relief and smiles, taking the pastry back once again, and swiping a wedge of cheese as well.

“Thank you so much, Sir Kaeya,” she exclaims. “This will be great for a snack later.”

“I’m sure,” he says politely, and then watches as she gives him a little curtsy and takes her leave. 

He waits a full fifteen seconds before he’s up from his chair, damn near bolting from his office to see if he can catch Diluc. The foyer is empty, save for the usual suspects standing guard, and the front door closes slowly. Carefully, he takes a few steps, pulls it back and peers out to see Noelle wandering off.

Hm.

So where could he be?

He checks the library first.

Then the basement.

Then finally he climbs the stairs, two at a time, and just when he’s ready to give up, a door at the other end of the hall creaks open. He freezes when he hears the sound of two very familiar voices, stepping into an open closet to peer around the frame.

“Dare I say you’re overprepared. Your progress has been quite astounding.”

“Hm. We’ll see about that.”

Is that… Diluc?

Kaeya squints.

He must be seeing things.

Hastily, he rubs his eye and blinks away the haze, refocusing on the figure down the hallway, and no, he most certainly is not hallucinating. Standing there at the end of the hall, leaving Albedo’s office, is Diluc Ragnvindr in all of his glory.

Son of a bitch.

“Liar,” Kaeya mutters, and as if he’s spoken too loudly, he sees Diluc give pause before he turns in the direction Kaeya’s hiding. Just in time, he leans back into the doorway.

So, Venti was right.

Kaeya stays still as stone until he hears the door to Albedo’s lab close, and Diluc’s footsteps recede down the opposite end of the hall. Carefully, he leans over, peeking out, and is grateful to get an eyeful of nothing and no one.

Hm.

He waits for another long minute and after he is met with silence, he decides to take it upon himself to figure out just why Diluc is being a suspicious little bastard, and traipses down the corridor on a mission, not bothering to knock before he enters the alchemist’s lab.

Albedo eyes him as Kaeya gently shuts the door behind him.

“Sir Kaeya,” he greets evenly, gaze lingering for merely a moment before he turns his focus back to the beaker in his hands.

“Chief Alchemist,” Kaeya replies, pleasant as ever, though the other man seems unphased. He lets out a disinterested noise, carefully shifting the object in his hands as a pale liquid swirls around the sides. 

“Can I help you with something? As you can see, I’m a bit busy at the moment.”

“Nothing,” Kaeya chirps out the little lie easily, offering up a charming smile. Albedo doesn’t even glance his way. He should have known better - Kaeya’s charm has never worked on him.

Instead he jumps directly into it.

“So… what did you and Master Diluc have to discuss?”

At the other end of the large oak table, Albedo makes a noncommittal noise, reaching over to skim over a set of test tubes. Kaeya waits a moment, tapping his fingers on the edge of the table.

“Sir Kaeya, please don’t make me lose focus,” he replies shortly before plucking a vial out from its place in the rack. Kaeya hums and approaches, peering at the project the alchemist is working on.

“I mean, I’m just curious,” he replies before he leans onto the table, apparently far too close for Albedo’s liking, as he stiffens slightly.

“Sir Kaeya, please, this is dangerous material–”

Kaeya’s elbows meet wood, and he settles his chin in his hands, batting his lashes at Albedo. “Did he talk about me?”

“Sir. Kaeya.” One of Albedo’s eyes twitches visibly, and the look he gives Kaeya may very well be even more dangerous than the mysterious substance in the vial. 

If he’d been any other knight, he may have simply shriveled away at the icy expression on the Chief Alchemist’s normally neutral face, but instead he heaves a dramatic sigh and stands upright.

“Fine, fine,” he relents, waving a hand dismissively.

“Do close the door on your way out,” Albedo tells him before he even makes a move to leave. Kaeya frowns.

“So eager to kick me out,” he proclaims, and the temptation to pout about it is real, but since he knows it will have no effect on the blond, he stashes his theatrical expressions away for a better use. 

“Ask Master Diluc yourself, if you’re that curious,” Albedo comments as Kaeya stalks away to oblige him in his request for peace.

“Perhaps I will,” Kaeya calls as he takes his leave, offering up a lazy wave behind him that Albedo no doubt does not look up to see. 

The way that Kaeya drags himself back to his office can only be described as pathetic. He flops into the chair at his desk miserably, and heaves a long sigh.

What on Teyvat is Diluc doing meeting with Albedo?

They’ve worked together in the past, he knows that, but usually Kaeya’s been kept in the loop. Now? Nothing. It simply does not make any sense.

Kaeya doesn't even realize how long he's been sulking until there's a gentle knock at his office door.

"Enter," he mumbles, pushing himself upright on his elbows. The door swings open to reveal Lisa, a fine teapot in hand, and behind her stands Jean, carrying three porcelain cups.

“Time for tea, dear?” The witch asks with a little smile. He glances at the grandfather clock on the other side of the room, only to find he’s been sitting around moping for the better part of a half hour.

“Of course,” he manages, and watches as Jean filters in behind the librarian, offering him a little wave.

“What’s this?” Jean asks as she settles into one of the chairs opposite Kaeya, reaching out to fiddle with the gift basket Diluc had been so kind to drop off.

“Oh, my,” Lisa says, leaning forward to fidget with the little bow on top of the basket, peering at its contents. “This is quite the little treat.”

“Diluc’s attempt at an apology,” Kaeya informs her, handing off a jar of jam, no doubt homemade sunsettia - Kaeya’s favorite when they were kids. 

“Apology?” Jean repeats, raising a brow at him. “For what?”

“Missing lunch.”

“I thought that was yesterday?”

“It was. And then we rescheduled today. And he cancelled.”

Lisa tuts, thumbing at the note sitting askew next to a bag of cookies. 

“What a disappointment. I was looking forward to some juicy gossip,” she teases, and Kaeya barely has the energy to reply, grunting out a noncommittal noise. She reaches out to pour Kaeya’s cup full of hot tea, and he takes it quietly, watching as the steam rises and letting Jean and Lisa descend into quiet conversation across from him.

Truly, it’s not the worst thing in the world. He’s lucky enough to have tea with his friends in place of Diluc’s absence, though of course it’s not the same. Admittedly, he’s growing a bit tired of the canceled dates.

Kaeya thinks he can only take so many rain-checked lunches and busy weekends before he begins to wear a permanent pout, childish as it may be. After all, this is the fourth date Diluc has had to cancel on short notice, not counting the lunch-related betrayal yesterday. 

Maybe next time.

Perhaps next weekend?

Truth be told, Kaeya is beginning to feel a little neglected.

He thumbs at the handle of the teacup before bringing it to his mouth. What reason could Diluc possibly have for canceling their lunch to meet with Albedo instead? And secretly, at that? Both of them are fond of their secrets, often revealed in time, but something feels… off. Could Diluc truly be avoiding him?

Suddenly, it all clicks.

The cancellations, the distance between them, Diluc’s unavailability for him - the pieces all fall together, and Kaeya’s heart just about drops into his stomach.

“Archons,” he murmurs in dismay suddenly, brows knitting together. He barely notices the way Jean and Lisa’s conversation comes to an abrupt halt, their gazes turning to him.

“What is it?” Lisa asks, and it takes a solid moment for Kaeya to glance up at the two women seated opposite him.

“He’s going to break up with me,” Kaeya exclaims.

Jean flat-out chokes on her tea, liquid spewing out of her mouth before she reaches up to pat herself dry.

“What?” She manages between coughs.

“What?” Lisa echoes, in tandem, though coughless.

The two women stare at him, disbelief written clearly across their lovely faces, though Jean looks more horrified than anything.

“That’s - that’s not–”

“Oh, dear. I sincerely doubt that’s the situation unfolding, Kaeya,” Lisa interrupts, gingerly setting her saucer and teacup down and fixing him with a serious expression. 

“It makes sense,” Kaeya suggests. He holds up a hand and begins counting on his fingers. “He’s canceled our dates, he’s never at Angel’s Share anymore, I saw him meeting with Albedo when he told me he was too busy to share lunch with me.”

“That’s–” Jean interrupts, incredulous, but Kaeya just keeps going.

“He hasn’t fucked me in weeks–”

Lisa clears her throat, giving him a pointed look.

“I’m just saying,” Kaeya supplies with a shrug, letting his hands fall back to the table. 

“This is… ridiculous,” Jean exclaims, her composure slipping. “You don’t… has he said… Ah. Well…”

Kaeya pauses, narrowing his eyes at her.

“Jean,” he begins, serious and suspicious. “Do you know something?”

“Me?” She squeaks. Beside her, Lisa reaches up to rub at her temples.

“Jean,” he repeats evenly.

“No. No, no, I–”

“What is it?” Kaeya presses with a sense of urgency, watching as Jean flusters under the pressure.

“Nothing! I - nothing,” she exclaims defensively, shoulders shooting up as she raises her hands up, feigning innocence. 

“What do you know?”

“Why would I know anything?!” Jean pleads, brows furrowing high on her forehead, blue eyes wide.

“Is he cheating on me?” Kaeya asks, leaning forward with a frown as he presses on his line of inquiry.

“What?”

“Both of you, stop,” Lisa interjects firmly, raising her voice just enough to remind them of her sadistic electro-infused tendencies, and their mouths both snap shut, gazes turning to her. “My, I can’t believe I have to tell you two to stop acting like children - the Acting Grand Master and the Cavalry Captain!”

Jean flushes and immediately glances back to the teacup in her lap, awkwardly bringing it to her mouth and taking a slow sip. Kaeya merely sighs in response, draping himself over the table.

“I will simply perish from all of this undue stress,” he mumbles against a piece of paper.

“You’re acting like a teenager,” Lisa says. Kaeya lifts his head a fraction of an inch to look at her, pathetically sad, the document clinging to his face for just a moment before it flutters back to the desk.

“He makes me feel like one.”

“Have you tried talking to him?” The witch suggests, tilting her head and peering at him expectantly.

Kaeya scoffs.

“Yes,” he says defensively, as if it’s the stupidest question he’s ever heard in his life. Then, he takes a moment, and his face goes blank. “No.”

There are few things that strike fear into Kaeya, but the way one of Lisa’s eyes twitches briefly makes him fear for his life. Even Jean goes still, freezing in place with her teacup pulled to her lips.

“Ah, well, I–”

“Kaeya,” she interrupts immediately, her tone taking on a sickly sweetness to it, and now he knows he’s in for it. “Do you think Master Diluc has mysteriously been blessed with the ability to read minds?”

“It’s… highly unlikely,” he replies stiffly, though it feels redundant - and the look she gives him tells him it very much is.

“Hm,” is all she says at first with a little smile, though it does not reach her eyes. Said eyes look at him with a sharp displeasure. At this rate, they may as well shoot daggers. “Perhaps you should… open your mouth and say words. Or do I need to outsource some books on interpersonal communication for you?”

“Eula still probably has it,” Jean mumbles a moment later. Lisa hums.

“Indeed. Another borrower on my list to take care of.”

Kaeya stares. “Take care of?”

In the blink of an eye, Lisa’s entire demeanor shifts, sipping at her tea, and her smile turns a little more genuine. “Nothing to worry about.”

He somehow doubts that.

“I think Lisa is right, Kaeya,” Jean interjects after a moment of watching her partner carefully. She turns to look at Kaeya, still half-sprawled over his desk like a melting cryo slime.

“I know,” he sighs. “Though I much prefer when things just… work out nicely. Is that too much to ask?”

“Yes,” Lisa and Jean both say simultaneously.

Kaeya glares.

“Please tell me one of you has something stronger for this tea than just sugar,” he says seriously. 

-

Jean gives him two days off.

An overreaction to his melodramatics, he thinks, but it has been quite some time since Kaeya has had one day to himself, nonetheless two. The rest of his day drags, all paperwork and signatures, and by the time the sun begins to dip past the horizon, he begins to wish he’d eaten lunch. 

He stalls, and stalls, and by the time he’s tired of carefully stacking folders of documentation, he drags himself from his office and out into the world of the living once again.

Then, like any other self-respecting man drowning in sadness, he meanders through the city and promptly perches himself at Cat’s Tail and starts drinking. He doesn’t watch the clock. Instead, he peers into his drink, watching the whiskey swirl around.

It’s certainly no Death After Noon, he thinks, and then downs the whole thing in one go.

He’s not sure what time it is when he sees a flash of red out of the corner of his gaze, but the bar is near empty, and he’s downed three whiskeys in quick succession at this point. He turns to see Diluc, standing off to the side with a look on his face that Kaeya can’t quite read.

“You’re drunk,” Diluc notes, stating the obvious. Kaeya grins, though it doesn’t reach his eyes.

“Rough week.”

Diluc hums, reaching behind him to flip back the tail of his coat as he slips onto the stool next to him. Kaeya can feel the heat of his body so close and he has to fight back the urge to lean into it. Instead, he watches Diluc lean forward, elbows settling on the bar in front of them, and he turns to peer at Kaeya, crimson eyes fixed on him. 

Kaeya blinks, slow and tipsy.

“Hi,” he says.

“Hi,” Diluc returns, and Kaeya tries to ignore the way his gaze searches his face - for what, he’s not entirely sure. He doesn’t know what he’s supposed to say. He chose Cat’s Tail to avoid Diluc, and now the source of his depression has sought him out personally. He swallows, trying to formulate something clever, but luckily, Diona comes back, walking behind the bar, and she’s so short she’s barely visible.

“Oh,” she says, and then bounds up onto a step stool. Kaeya honestly wants to laugh. “Master Diluc. I hope you’re here to get this drunkard home.”

“This drunkard is a paying customer,” Kaeya interjects. “You break my heart, Miss Diona.”

“Yeah, yeah,” she mutters, uncharmed and unphased. “It’s after closing. You don’t have to go home, but you can’t stay here.”

“I’ll cover this,” Diluc offers, reaching into his coat pocket to pull out a pouch of mora. Kaeya frowns.

“I can pay for my own drinks,” he insists, and Diluc levels him with an unimpressed look, depositing a stack of golden coins on the bar.

“I didn’t say you couldn’t,” he notes. “Come on. Let’s go.”

Begrudgingly, Kaeya follows, and out into the chilly night they go. 

It’s late again, the two of them the only citizens out walking through the city at this time, and Kaeya’s mind can’t help but take off once more.

Have you tried talking to him?

He frowns. Where would he even begin?

Are you angry with me?

Have I done something wrong?

Have you finally tired of me?

The heel of Kaeya’s boots drag heavy over the stone beneath, and he pauses. It takes Diluc a moment, but he stops, twisting back to peer at Kaeya expectantly.

“Kaeya?”

“Are you avoiding me?” Kaeya finally blurts, the question falling from his mouth embarrassing him before he’s even finished it. 

“Am… I not walking you home right now?” Diluc inquires, and even in the dim light of the street lamps, he can see the way one red brow arches up, underneath the curtain of Diluc’s bangs. Kaeya makes a distressed little noise, approaching him.

“That’s not what I meant.”

“Could you elaborate?”

Kaeya purses his lips.

He hates these kind of conversations, but the fraction of his blood that is now alcohol is poking and prodding at him and it all just comes spilling out in an instant.

Wait.

No.

That’s vomit.

He retches and barely avoids Diluc’s nice, specialty tailored boots, instead catching his own and half of a flowerbed. The redhead jumps back in surprise.

“Barbatos, Kaeya!”

"H-ugh, gods," Kaeya manages with a groan, bent halfway over, one arm propped against the wall to keep himself steady.

"Are you alright?" Diluc asks, going to take a step towards him, then pauses, and no doubt listens to his better judgment. 

"I'm good," he says, though he gags briefly again, and then spits to clear his mouth. "M'fine. All good. Sorry."

He gives himself a long moment, waiting to see if his stomach is quite done with its nonsense, and when he doesn't feel another wave of nausea, he clears his throat and stands back up. 

"Well, that was an unpleasant little surprise," he manages, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. Diluc looks on, his expression somewhere between disgust and concern.

"Just how much did you drink tonight?" He asks.

Kaeya waves him off. "Not much. Just quick and on an empty stomach."

There's no right answer to that question to avoid Diluc's disappointment, but with the way his lovely lips twist into a frown, Kaeya feels like he's probably fucked it up anyway. Instead of thinking about it, he takes a breath and starts walking past Diluc. There’s a long pause before he hears the shuffle of the other man follow.

“You didn’t eat today?” 

“I had tea,” Kaeya says defensively, not bothering to look back.

“That’s not food,” Diluc argues flatly, and Kaeya just makes a little noise and shrugs as he approaches the front door of his place. He fumbles with his keys before Diluc huffs, taking them from him and unlocking the door.

“I could have done that,” Kaeya mutters. Diluc just gives him a stern look, opening up the door and stepping aside to let the captain enter first. He flicks on the lights as Diluc follows him in, letting the door close behind him and he turns to lock it with a click as Kaeya flings his fur across the room, onto the messy kitchen table.

“I sent you an entire basket full of your favorite foods for lunch, Kaeya,” Diluc says, as if he needs reminding. Kaeya grunts, leaning to the side to kick off his boots. “I’m sorry I had to cancel, but something urgent came up.”

“Like a meeting with Albedo?” He asks, and he winces at the way his tone is sharper than intended, some of his clumsily repressed resentment coming through.

There’s a pause before Diluc replies, and for a second, Kaeya thinks he’s going to deny it. 

“Yes. He’s helping me with a project,” he admits.

Kaeya really would like some wine to deal with this conversation. In lieu of acknowledging the other man’s admission, he shuffles into the kitchen, grabbing a half-empty bottle of wine and tugging the cork out with his teeth.

“Kaeya,” Diluc warns him, approaching swiftly to snatch the bottle from him. “You need to eat. Not drink more wine.”

“Did you just come to berate me?” Kaeya asks with a heavy sigh, running a hand over his face before he turns to look at Diluc. “I’m not hungry.”

“Fine,” the redhead relents, exasperation clear as day in his voice. Kaeya watches as he folds his arms over his chest and levels him with a stern look. “Then water and sleep.”

“What are you, my nanny?”

“I don’t want to be, but since you’re having a moment, it appears that is the role I need to play right now.”

Kaeya groans.

“Fine. Bed it is, then. You staying or not?”

“I can’t tonight–”

Kaeya scoffs. “Of course.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Nothing,” Kaeya calls dismissively as he starts undoing the plethora of buckles and straps on his uniform, walking away towards his room. “You know where the door is.”

Diluc does not follow, and Kaeya, drunker than he realized, slips into a fitful slumber.

-

He wakes alone.

Again.

But his time he is met with a pounding headache and a note on the empty pillow next to him.

Starsnatch Cliff. Sunset.

- D

A pit opens up in his stomach, and for a moment Kaeya wonders if he’s going to be a victim of emotional vomiting again. With a groan, he rolls back over, hiding under the blankets.

His conversation with Diluc last night left a bad taste in his mouth. He can’t exactly blame Diluc, but Archons knows Kaeya’s not exactly the best at expressing his feelings with the other man. It didn’t go well, per se, but a standoffish invitation to meet at Starsnatch Cliff at sunset? It would be romantic in any other context, but after the way the night ended, Kaeya has his reservations.

Part of him is tempted to give Diluc a taste of his own medicine and simply not show, petty as it might be. 

Honestly, he may as well have a little rain cloud following him around at this point.

To make matters worse, it seems as if everyone he comes across is unnecessarily bright and cheery - not to mention the hangover he is currently nursing.

Quite frankly, it makes him want to eat his own fist.

Instead, ever the charming charmer he is, he puts on a smile, all the while trying to beat the pathetic sadness inside of him to submission. 

He buys groceries, three bottles of wine, takes an unnecessarily long nap filled with dreams about all the things he fears Diluc might say, and by the time he crawls back out of bed, the sun has begun to sink low in the sky.

He gets dressed, opting for a more relaxed attire - after all, if he’s going to get his heart broken, why dress to impress? He slips into a loose, long sleeved white tunic, some old brown pants, and laces up his boots.

The trek to Starsnatch Cliff is long and glum despite the pleasant weather.

Kaeya is tied up in knots. Every fiber of his being screams at him to run, to leave before he’s left, to try and save himself the inevitable heartache, but despite that, he trudges on, his mind silently warring with itself.

When he finally reaches the peak, he is met with the sight of a familiar figure. Standing by a patch of cecilias, staring off into the horizon is Diluc. Kaeya looks at him for a long moment, watching as his coat ruffles in the gentle breeze. He tucks a stray red hair back behind his ear, and as though he can feel Kaeya’s eye on him, he turns to meet his gaze.

He looks ethereal like this - framed by the sunset, Mondstadt’s soft wind blowing through his hair - and it strikes an ache deep in Kaeya’s heart, something he may never be able to forget.

“You made it,” Diluc says, pulling Kaeya out of his saddening line of thought. He puts on a little smile, approaching, and Diluc meets him halfway, extending one arm to capture Kaeya’s hand in his own, gloved and warm. 

“I did.”

Diluc squeezes his hand, a gesture that would be reassuring in any other context. “I’m glad.”

Kaeya offers up a forced little smile, half-hearted and tired. Diluc’s grip does not relent, and they fall into a silence that should be comfortable, but instead it makes him anxious.

“So,” he finally says, solemn and downtrodden, his gaze focusing on the sunset on the horizon. “This is it.”

He can feel Diluc’s eyes on him.

“I’m surprised you chose here to do this,” Kaeya continues. The lines of his face crease in dismay, a frown tugging at his lips. Diluc releases his hand.

“You knew?” He asks a moment later, soft and surprised.

Gods.

Kaeya feels like he’s going to be sick all over again. 

He turns to look at Diluc, willing himself not to shed a tear, and lets those crimson eyes bore into him.

“It all lines up,” he admits with a dry, sad laugh. “It wasn’t that hard.”

“Oh,” Diluc murmurs, and then glances away. Kaeya’s gaze silently traces the profile of him - beautiful, illuminated in the fading light of the day - and he tries to commit to memory the last bit of closeness they’re sharing.

“It’s alright,” Kaeya lies. That horrible feeling wells up in him again, a dam threatening to crumble under the weight of his watery emotions. He pleads to himself to do what he does best, to freeze over like always, to save it for another day, but it’s a struggle now, watching Diluc’s gaze cast downward.

“It’s not,” Diluc tells him a moment later, turning to look at him. “It was supposed to be a surprise.”

He sounds shockingly gentle for what he’s about to do, and it only makes Kaeya’s heart ache even more. Something bitter burns at the back of his throat and he chokes out a broken laugh.

“A surprise? Diluc, you’ve been avoiding me for a month. It’s not difficult to figure out where it’s going from here.”

He watches as Diluc blinks at him, brows knitting together in what looks like confusion. “What?”

“Did it have to be here, though?” Kaeya asks. “You’ll ruin it for me forever, you know.”

“Wait,” Diluc says, shaking his head. “What are you talking about? Ruin it? How would–”

“Diluc. We had our first kiss here, you know that,” he whispers, reaching out a hand to cup his face, tender and sweet, and he revels in the way Diluc leans into his touch. His expression softens for just a moment, before he looks at Kaeya, as if he’s silently searching for an answer of some sort.

“Of course, that’s why I–”

“You don’t need to drag it out,” Kaeya informs him. He can feel himself waver, and with Diluc’s warmth so close to him, he just needs it to be done, lest he be struck harder with the urge to plead and beg for him not to go. “It’s okay.”

It’s a lie, but he can’t let Diluc see him fall to pieces again. After all, he’s sure Diluc has a good reason.

“Kaeya, why do you think I asked you to come here?” Diluc inquires after a long moment, and the frustration in his voice makes Kaeya that much sadder.

“You’re going to make me say it, aren’t you?” He asks, letting his hand fall from the soft curve of Diluc’s warm cheek.

“I am.”

Kaeya lapses into silence for a long moment. If he says it, it’s real, and there’s no coming back from it.

“To end things.”

“To… what?”

Kaeya makes a noise of irritation, turning to take a step back. That one step turns into two, and three, and suddenly he’s pacing uselessly - something to do with the restless energy building inside of him, and better than letting Diluc see him cry here, he thinks.

“It’s the only logical explanation,” he reasons. “You’ve cancelled every date, stopped tending bar at Angels Share on the usual nights, you won’t even have lunch with me anymore.”

“Kaeya–”

“If you’re going to do it, then just do it. You didn’t need to bring me here and break me apart at sunset to make an impression. You could have done this anywhere else, any other time, but you’ve had me tied up inside for a month, Diluc, and I–”

"You're a fool," Diluc interrupts - sudden and in damn near flawless Khaenri'ahn.

Kaeya jolts to a stop, nearly tripping over his own feet in surprise, and slowly turns to look at Diluc in disbelief. 

He stares back, brows creased, frustration in every line on his lovely face. 

“What?” Kaeya says dumbly. 

“I had an entire speech planned out, you know,” Diluc tells him, matter-of-fact, voice dripping with annoyance. “It took me a month to get this all worked out.”

“What?” Kaeya can only repeat, frozen in place.

“Why do you think I was so busy? Learning a new language is time-consuming, especially one that almost no one speaks anymore.”

Kaeya is struck with the urge to pinch himself. Surely this can’t be real.

Diluc sighs, approaching him. One hand slips into his coat pocket, staying there, but Kaeya can see him fiddling with something through the thick black fabric. He continues speaking.

“Not to mention I had the ring specially tailored - high quality Liyuen metals are still difficult to find despite the fact that the chasm is back in operation.”

“Ring?” Kaeya repeats.

“Yes,” Diluc replies. 

“A… like, a fancy cock ring? Why would you put gems on it?” Kaeya asks, still caught between confusion and absolute disbelief, stamping down the sense of hope that’s burgeoning in his chest.

“I–” Diluc trails off, then his face contorts, looking at the other man as if he’s lost his fucking mind. “Kaeya, what in Barbatos’ name is wrong with you?”

“I don’t know!” Kaeya blurts then, throwing his arms up. “I don’t know what’s happening right now!”

“Kaeya–” Diluc tries to speak, but he’s immediately interrupted, and Kaeya resumes his restless pacing.

“One minute I think you’re ending things, and then the next you’re insulting me in my native tongue, and honestly I’m still not really sure!”

“Kaeya–”

The cavalry captain pauses, humming, and offering Diluc a judgmental little look. “Also, you used the formal version of you’re, which is strange for an insult, especially for someone that–”

"Marry me," Diluc interjects.

Kaeya freezes.

There’s a long pause before he’s able to move his mouth again, parted in surprise, staring as Diluc looks back at him.

"What?" He finally says, dumbfounded. He watches as Diluc takes a shaky breath, throat bobbing as he swallows nervously.

“You heard me.”

He’s speechless. Utterly and completely speechless. He stares, open-mouthed, unable to find the words to say, and Diluc sighs.

“I know I canceled our dates multiple times. I know I wasn’t at Angels Share. But it wasn’t because I was avoiding you, Kaeya. It’s because I was working on this. I wanted to learn some Khaenri’ahn for you, I had to meet with Liyuen trades people, and even go to Sumeru one weekend to appeal to the academia because I wanted to borrow a book.”

“I…” he trails off, brows furrowing, and he takes a long breath before he glances up to meet Kaeya’s gaze again, continuing in Khaenri’ahn. “I wanted to make this special.”

That restless hand in his pocket slips out finally, a little black box in his grip, and suddenly the reality of the situation dawns on Kaeya. He stares, frozen in place, and watches as Diluc thumbs open the lid, revealing quite possibly the prettiest goddamn ring he’s ever seen in his life.

Atop a slim golden band lies an adornment of shimmering white gems surrounding a shockingly large ruby. He stands there, stunned, eyes fixed on the way it reflects the sunset, on the way it reminds him of Diluc’s eyes.

“It was my mother’s,” Diluc tells him, shaking him from his reverie. “Father gave it to me when I was sixteen.”

Kaeya glances up in surprise. “He did?”

Diluc smiles, nostalgia coloring his gaze, and for a split second Kaeya sees a glimpse of that young, fiery knight he used to be, and he’s not sure he’s going to be able to make it through this whole ordeal without crying.

“He knew I loved you before I did,” Diluc admits. 

“What?”

Diluc laughs. “It was mortifying. Having him read through what I thought was a crush like that. Perhaps he knew us both better than we care to admit.”

Kaeya lets out a soft noise of disbelief, still stunned into quiet. Diluc glances down, fidgeting with the ring where it sits neatly in its confines.

“I worked with Wagner to get it resized. Hopefully, it will fit,” Diluc says, stepping towards him. He pauses, thumbing at the outer edge of the box. “That is, if you say yes.”

Oh.

Oh, Barbatos, he hasn’t said yes yet!

“Shit, ‘Luc, I–” Kaeya interrupts himself with an incredulous little laugh, tears prickling at the corner of his eyes. He sniffs. “You didn’t even get down on one knee.”

Despite the fact that he’s teasing, Diluc immediately obliges him, taking a wide step before he shifts to take a knee, and Kaeya’s suddenly laughing again, something bright and warm bubbling inside of him. He reaches out, tugging Diluc up.

“I’m kidding, you foolish man,” he says, brushing away a tear that threatens to trickle down his face. “Yes. Yes, of course I’ll marry you. Gods.”

“Truly?” Diluc asks, sounding genuinely surprised, and Kaeya nods furiously, those tears returning with renewed vigor.

“Yes. Truly. Gods, Diluc, I–”

Diluc kisses him.

He gasps, lips melding together, and he can taste salt and tears - his or Diluc’s, he’s not even sure.

They kiss. They laugh. Kaeya’s heart pounds when Diluc breaks away for a second, reaching for his hand. He watches as the ring slips onto his finger, ruby red flickering in the sunset.

“A perfect fit,” Diluc observes, his voice gentle and soft. Kaeya laughs, turning his gaze back to the man he’s going to spend the rest of his life with.

“I almost can’t believe it, you know. My husband,” Kaeya murmurs, elation seeping into every syllable, his mouth pulled into a smile so wide he fears his cheeks might hurt later. Diluc hums, returning the same expression, and on him, it’s like the sun coming up. Gloved hands cup his face, pulling him close.

“My husband,” Diluc says tenderly and Kaeya aches from it. He can’t help but let slip an incredulous little laugh.

They stay there, still, basking in the last rays of sunlight as the day dies. Kaeya’s heart is so warm, overflowing with emotion he doesn’t know how to handle, and he barely notices the way the breeze begins to turn a little colder until Diluc’s hand falls away from his damp cheek.

“Let’s go home,” Diluc whispers.

“Yeah?” Kaeya laughs, vibrating with joy, and Diluc smiles at him, brighter than the sun itself.

“Yeah,” he says, and reaches up to wipe away a stray tear. 

“Home.”

-

In the long walk, the elation Kaeya feels gives way to the latent desire that’s been bubbling under for a month. 

If the lingering gazes Diluc offers don’t give away that he’s feeling the exact same, it couldn’t be made any more clear by the time they make it to the front doors.

They’re barely into the entryway of the winery before they’re tugging at clothes, mouths meeting in a kiss that could only be described as ravenous. Kaeya gasps when Diluc’s tongue slides against his lips, allowing himself to be pushed back aimlessly, running into the coat rack, both of them stumbling to find a flat surface.

“Wait, wait,” Kaeya stammers, tilting his head away to peer at the interior of the winery. Diluc mumbles, chasing the line of his jaw with a hot, hungry tongue. “Diluc. Do you really want your staff to see us like this?”

“Sent them home,” Diluc murmurs, leaning to the side to give chase to the curve of Kaeya’s mouth. “Gave them the weekend off.”

“Oh, good, because you have,” Kaeya manages, tossing a glance behind them and tugging Diluc back, settling the curve of his ass against a table, “some cancellations to make up for.”

Diluc grunts in assent, one hand cupping his jaw to pull him in for yet another searing kiss, and Kaeya fears he may just melt. His hands go to clutch at Diluc’s shirt under his coat, pulling him impossibly close. The redhead gladly lets him, and shoves a leg between Kaeya’s thigh, grinding against him.

“How many dates did I cancel?” Diluc inquires and Kaeya’s hands slip onto his shoulders, underneath the heavy fur lining of his coat.

“Enough,” Kaeya says.

Diluc tuts. “Still holding a grudge after I gave you such a pretty ring.”

Kaeya laughs, letting Diluc nose at the curve of his neck, and he feels a puff of laughter against his skin. A smile tugs at his lips, contentment coming to life amidst the arousal he feels. 

“Bed,” Kaeya instructs, putting his weight onto Diluc to push him backwards, though he laces his fingers through Diluc’s, tugging him towards the staircase.

“Someone is eager.”

“Don’t act like you aren’t,” Kaeya argues, kissing him again as he takes a step up one stair. Diluc’s hand slips from his and finds the front of his clothes, carefully undoing the straps across his abdomen. “See, you’re already undressing.”

Diluc mumbles something he can’t quite hear, and Kaeya leans in for another kiss, pulling him by the waistband of his pants as they both slowly wander up to his room.

“Walk,” Diluc mutters between kisses, carefully trying to climb the stairs without using the banister.

“I am,” he replies, pausing in his attempt to walk backwards to tug at Diluc’s shirt. “You can fuck me on the stairs if you’d like.”

“Later,” he breathes, letting his leather straps fall to the staircase below them. His tie follows suit and Kaeya nips playfully at his lower lip. Before Kaeya realizes, they’ve made it to the second floor, and he walks backwards into a table, knocking over a pile of books.

“Later, hm?” He gasps, breaking from another consuming kiss as he fumbles to push Diluc back. “Do you plan on fucking me on every surface of the manor?” 

“Now that you mention it…”

A cackle escapes Kaeya, mouth splitting into a grin against another kiss from his darling fiancé, dragging him backwards by the collar of his shirt.

“You’re really going to have Adelinde clean up our messes?” He asks in dismay.

Diluc clicks his tongue disapprovingly at the notion, reaching past him to open the door to his room. They both stumble backwards, Kaeya’s calves meeting the bedframe before they go tumbling onto the mattress.

“Of course not,” he breathes, clambering up the bed, and before Kaeya knows it, Diluc descends on him, mouthing at the slope of his jaw. “After all, I have to work on being a good husband.”

Husband. 

He can still hardly believe it. Kaeya shudders below him, nails digging into the naked flesh of his shoulder. He feels his cock jump against the confines of his pants.

“Hm. If I’d known the mere notion of marriage made you feel like that, then I would have proposed ages ago,” Diluc says coolly, and slides a warm hand up the underside of his shirt, thumbing at a nipple. 

The captain makes a broken little noise. “You’re going to make me finish in my pants like a teenager if you keep it up like this.”

The redhead hums, dipping his head down as he rolls his hips against Kaeya’s, who curses quietly. “Tempting.”

Kaeya groans in annoyance, flopping his head back against the bed.

“Diluc, if you don’t fuck me, I might die,” he says dramatically.

“Be patient,” Diluc murmurs in Khaenri’ahn, and that doesn’t help the situation at all. Kaeya’s pretty sure at this point, he’s so aroused there’s a wet spot through his underwear and to his pants entirely.

He finds that his suspicions prove to be true when Diluc begins undressing him a minute later. His cock springs from its confines, flushed and dripping, a line of precum clinging between the tip of him and his underthings before Diluc carelessly tosses them aside.

One warm, strong hand wraps around his dick, and Kaeya chokes on his own throat, gasping down a moan, and Diluc continues wordlessly. 

His eyes roll back into his head when a thumb slides just under the tip of his leaking head, then the rest of Diluc’s hand follows, fingers wrapping around Kaeya’s very hard, very eager cock. He offers up one smooth, damn near perfect stroke, palming over the wet slit before dragging back down the rest of his length.

Gods. Alright.

Somewhere between his descent into debauchery, Kaeya hears a cork pop open, and when he peers down, he sees Diluc thumbing the opening of a bottle of lubrication. He shivers, half in excitement and half in dismay as the hand wrapped around his cock slips away.

“Hurry up,” he murmurs, and without hesitation shifts to lift his legs and part them. 

It’s a torturous wait, the slow way Diluc touches him. His palms smooth over the expanse of his thighs, making Kaeya huff impatiently, and he shoots him a look that could only be described as pleading.

Suddenly, he pulls at one cheek, exposing Kaeya’s twitching hole. Warm fingers circle his rim and Kaeya makes a noise in the back of his throat, high and needy, before he spreads his thighs wider, offering Diluc more room.

“Please,” he says, polite and desperate, and Diluc’s fiery gaze flickers up to him for a second, pupils blown wide with desire. He makes a soft hum in response, pressing a finger into him, and Kaeya gasps, tensing for a second at the intrusion.

“Be good and relax.”

Kaeya obeys, taking a slow, deep breath as Diluc touches him. It’s not long before he’s pressing a second finger past the muscle of his rim, slick with lube, and Kaeya moans this time.

Diluc takes it slow. His fingers push and curl, grazing over that spot that makes him weak, and Kaeya wants to complain. He’s so damn impatient, so starved for Diluc’s touch, aching to be filled, and when he opens his mouth to say something, Diluc bites into the plush curve of his thigh.

“‘Luc,” he murmurs.

“More?” Diluc asks. Kaeya nods eagerly, rocking his hips down against the redhead’s hand, and after a moment, he presses a third finger into him. He can’t help the way he shudders at the sensation, imagining how delightful it will be when Diluc spears him on his cock instead and stuffs him full - properly.

The notion makes his head spin, warmth pooling low in his stomach, and he feels his neglected dick twitch. Diluc must notice, because he immediately presses in harder, those fingers curling up and searching for his prostate, and Kaeya lets out a shaky breath.

“You’re doing so good,” Diluc murmurs, his Khaenri’ahn so pretty it makes Kaeya’s brain go fuzzy. “I can’t wait to breed you.”

Gods, where did he learn that one?

It stokes the fire inside of Kaeya, arousal flaring quick and hot, and suddenly he’s pulled to the brink of orgasm.

“Fuck,” he chokes, one hand flying to grip at the sheets and his thighs tremble weakly. “Gods, I think - I think you might make me come.”

“Already?”

Kaeya tries to respond, but Diluc’s talented fingers roll into him harder and that knot of tension in his gut threatens to explode. He chokes on the words stuck in his throat, eyes squeezing shut, and he can feel his unattended cock jump, balls drawing tight to his body.

"Just from my fingers," he hears Diluc say distantly, pausing before he switches to a low murmur of Khaenri’ahn. "So desperate for me."

Kaeya crumbles.

Helpless against the pleasure Diluc provides, he comes, a rush of heat flooding his veins as he tumbles over the edge. An undignified noise escapes him, head falling back against the pillow and gods, his vision goes a little fuzzy.

He lets out a weak whimper, hips jumping as he comes, pearly white spilling over his stomach. Diluc peppers kisses up his hip, stopping briefly to lick at the cum pooling on his skin, and Kaeya shivers when his fingers slip out from his hole with a wet noise.

He tugs Diluc up in a haze, capturing his lips in a messy kiss. He can taste his own end on Diluc’s tongue, and he’s tempted to lick deeper into his mouth for more, but he just chuckles instead, breaking apart from him.

“Breed me, huh?” He mumbles lazily against Diluc’s mouth. The redhead pulls back, brows furrowed.

“Huh?”

“I can’t wait to breed you?” Kaeya reminds him.

“I must have … mistranslated,” Diluc says awkwardly, cheeks flushing just a little more through his arousal. He’s not sure if he’s really telling the truth, but Kaeya gives him a lopsided smile, leaning up to kiss him.

“You don’t want to?” He asks quietly, taunting, giving Diluc’s lower lip a soft little bite. “I was looking forward to you filling me up.”

Diluc’s body gives him away. Pressed between them, he can feel the throb of his cock, hot and heavy against his hip. 

“C’mon, ‘Luc,” Kaeya prods. “Fuck me. Breed me.”

Whatever restraint Diluc was clinging to snaps, and he all but growls, capturing Kaeya’s mouth in a kiss so ravenous, their teeth click together for a second. It’s all clumsy, hungry tongue, and despite the fact that Kaeya just came, he swears he feels his dick twitch with interest.

Diluc shoves his hand between their sweat-damp bodies, firmly grabbing the flesh of one thigh to spread Kaeya’s legs. He sucks in a little breath through his nose, trying to maneuver, and Diluc breaks away from their kiss a moment later, a line of spit connecting their mouths for a split second before he sits upright.

In a swift movement, he grabs a pillow and lifts Kaeya by his hips, strong and steady, and shoves it underneath him.

“Aw, so polite, oh–” Kaeya cuts himself off when he feels the slick tip of Diluc’s cock press firmly against his ass. The imagined politeness all but fades to dust when he angles forward and the head of him slips in, wet and hot. Kaeya gasps, breath stuck in his throat as he tenses, taken off-guard, but Diluc rubs a gentle circle onto his hip, one hand squeezing him tightly. 

He doesn’t need to tell him to relax. Kaeya takes a second to breathe, melting into the bed, and once his eyes flutter shut, Diluc fills him in one smooth thrust. They both moan in tandem when he bottoms out, and honestly, Kaeya thinks he might just die.

His head swims. 

He’s still a little oversensitive from his orgasm, and the drag of Diluc’s thick length inside of him aches in a delightful way that makes his toes curl. 

“You feel like sin,” Diluc tells him, low and breathless, voice lilting so beautifully. Kaeya moans beneath him, shifting to spread his thighs wider. One strong hand slides up the underside of his leg, hooking beneath his knee and when Kaeya opens his eyes, he sees Diluc watching the space between them with keen interest. 

Before he can say anything though, he pulls out half-way, pausing before he pushes back to the hilt again, and Kaeya damn near goes cross-eyed.

“So greedy. Look at you sucking me in, taking me like you’re made for it.”

“Diluc,” he moans, reaching out blindly to pull him closer, and Diluc obliges, leaning down to capture his mouth in a lazy kiss, slowly fucking into him. “Made for you. All for you. Yours.”

For a moment, he’s not sure if Diluc catches the grasp of what he said in Khaenri’ahn - after all, it’s breathless and mumbled - but he proves him wrong. He groans, hips slapping against him with a particularly rough thrust, and Kaeya shudders, blunt nails digging into the scarred flesh of his back.

A hand grasps his, pinning it to the plush pillow above his head, and he feels Diluc thumb over the ring sitting on his finger.

“Let me claim you,” Diluc manages in Kaeya’s mother tongue, though it comes out jumbled, each syllable stilting clumsily as he grinds into Kaeya.

“Fuck me. Take me.”

It’s all Diluc needs.

His fingers curl into Kaeya’s tightly, and he fucks him just as hard.

Celestia have mercy.

It’s unforgiving. Brutal. Perfect.

Between the way Diluc’s cock glides against his prostate in slick, hard thrusts, and the way he begins to devour every inch of Kaeya’s skin, he can’t think. 

Every fiber of his being short-circuits, overcome by the onslaught of sensation Diluc provides. He grasps at the bed sheets, angling his hips up to meet each thrust. The way Diluc fills him, thick and heavy, will undoubtedly drive him to madness.

Each slap of his hips against the curve of Kaeya’s is met with a whimper, quiet at first, and growing louder each time Diluc bottoms out. He’s hard again somehow - cock straining between them, still sensitive from his orgasm not long ago - and it lays untouched between them, leaking helplessly.

“More,” he begs, his voice so desperate he barely recognizes it. His vision is a haze, pleasure sparking behind his eyes, tears pooling. Diluc groans, low and hungry, and all Kaeya wants is to be devoured. 

Those strong hands suddenly find the undersides of his knees, and before Kaeya knows it, he’s being practically bent in half. He yelps at the shift, Diluc’s cock sinking deeper than he thought was possible, and he swear he feels a dribble of precum leak from his aching cock.

“You want to be taken, to be bred?” Diluc asks, breathless between harsh, deep thrusts that have Kaeya’s thighs trembling. “To be fucked and used?”

Gods.

He’s going to lose his mind.

He sucks in a breath, squirming beneath Diluc. “Yes. Yes, yes, yes - fuck, breed me. Let everyone know I’m yours.”

“You want to be fucked full of my children?”

Kaeya keens when Diluc’s pace quickens, along with his breath.

“Oh, Gods, Diluc, I–”

“My perfect husband. Made to be filled and fucked and used, only by my cock.”

“Yours,” Kaeya moans, pitch increasing with every slap of skin on skin. “Yours, yours, love you–”

That seems to break something in Diluc. The prettiest moan escapes him, hips stuttering, and Kaeya swears he feels his cock pulse, deep inside of him. The notion of being filled sets Kaeya on edge, his whole body going tense.

“I’m - I’m, fuck, ‘Luc–”

He’s vicious now, fucking into the wet heat of Kaeya’s hole with animalistic desperation. Kaeya can’t think. Can’t breathe. Can’t speak. The only thing that comes out of his mouth is a sob, then Diluc is wrapping a hand around his neglected dick, and he’s tumbling over the edge again.

He cries out, white bursting behind his eyelids as he comes, and distantly, he registers the warmth that spills into him, thick and hot as Kaeya’s walls squeeze and flutter around that perfect, perfect cock. 

When he’s able to see past the stars in his vision a few moments later, Kaeya is sated, and tired, and undoubtedly going to be sore tomorrow.

They both crumple into the bed, sweaty and blissed out. Silence stretches between them, the sound of their uneven breaths filling the room, and Kaeya can feel Diluc softening inside of him, still laid atop him.

With a long breath, he brings his hand up to Diluc’s chest, heaving and sweat-dampened. The redhead hums, crimson eyes fluttering open to peer tiredly down at his lover.

“Hi,” Kaeya says. A barely there smile tugs at Diluc’s mouth. His movement is gentle, unlike the frantic mess he’d just been, and he tilts his head down, pressing a soft kiss to Kaeya’s mouth.

“Mm. Bath?” He inquires after another kiss.

“Bath,” Kaeya agrees breathlessly.

The water is warm and welcoming, and after this week, Kaeya wants nothing more than to doze off in the tub, wrapped in Diluc’s embrace. 

“Good thing Jean gave you two days off,” Diluc mumbles as he pulls Kaeya into him, one arm sliding across his chest. 

“I never told you that,” Kaeya says, leaning forward to turn and peer back at Diluc, who has the audacity to grin at him. 

“I had a lot of strings to pull to try and get this right, you know,” Diluc explains, and Kaeya can’t help but laugh at the smug edge to his voice, turning back to settle against him again.

“Who else knew?” 

“Jean, Lisa, Albedo, Wagner…”

“Venti?” Kaeya suggests.

“Venti,” Diluc confirms with a nod, the water sloshing around them slightly as he shifts. “He saw me pick up the ring.”

“I’m surprised he kept his mouth shut,” Kaeya mutters, reaching down to splash some warm water over himself.

“You and me both.”

“I can’t believe all these people knew. And still somehow you made me think you were breaking up with me.”

“I am very sorry about that,” Diluc tells him softly, leaning in to press a kiss to the shell of his ear. “But it turned out quite the opposite, did it not?”

“Indeed,” Kaeya says, lifting his hand from underneath the water to raise it to the light, watching the ruby embedded in the ring sparkle.

“You wore it into the bath?” Diluc asks flatly.

“Of course I did. I’m going to wear it everywhere. Let everybody know how much work you went through to pull off such a feat. Tell them about the trauma you inflicted on me in the process of it, too.”

Diluc snorts, then buries his face in the crook of Kaeya’s shoulder, nipping at the skin. “The crimes I have committed in the name of love.”

“Very romantic of you,” Kaeya exclaims. “Though the Knights will be investigating these crimes. I’ll try to convince them to go easy on you, since we’re to be wed.”

“How kind of you.”

“For you, anything. And then when you get out of jail, you can make it up to me all over again.”

Diluc laughs, the sound rumbling against Kaeya, and he leans his head back against his chest. One hand reaches out to smooth up Kaeya’s forearm, Diluc’s fingers running over the curve of his wrist and up to the finger adorned with the Ragnvindr family ring.

"Well… Good thing we have forever," Diluc whispers, thumbing over his ring. 

"Yeah," Kaeya agrees softly, his heart doing something funny at the notion, and he smiles, wide and unrestrained. "Forever."