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The sun dipped below the horizon to the west. Yellow, orange and purple painted the sky, as a warm glow showered the vineyard in gold. Plump purple grapes drooped heavily from their vines, the sweet and fruity smell from them indicating their ripeness. Harvesting season was upon them with summer passing its half-way mark.
Leather boots brushed against grass, accompanied by the soft chattering of birds as the day reached its golden hour. It was a peaceful and well deserved break that both himself and Diluc relished in, especially after the last few days.
They had returned from a five-day expedition to dragonspine, where there was an increase in abyssal activity that required the knight's immediate attention. Both Diluc and Kaeya had been sent with their squadron to take care of the matter.
Fortunately, there were only a few abyss mages setting up camps along the base of the mountain, and the ordeal had taken just under four days to complete. The two of them were nothing if not efficient with their missions, and returned an entire day before their expected return date. They were rewarded with that extra day off, and Kaeya was looking forward to finally sleeping in. An evening walk was a perfect idea before retiring for the night.
A gentle breeze tousled stray strands of red hair as Diluc strolled a few paces ahead of him. It was just the two of them walking amongst the vines, a familiar intimacy between them. Yet, the casual stroll caused feelings that he had tried to repress to resurface.
Kaeya paused his steps along with the other, watching as Diluc turned his head back to gaze at him. The setting sun reflected gold into crimson eyes, making them shimmer like rubies. Like this, the other looked beautiful, ethereal almost. Kaeya could feel his palms sweat under his gloves as he gazed at the other’s serene smile.
If only they could always be this carefree while walking among the grapevines together. A sliver of tranquility in their chaotic lives. Kaeya would do anything to keep things as they were. He was loyal and faithful; Diluc’s shadow, support pillar, his right hand man. He made sure Diluc completed every challenge without fail.
Wherever Diluc went, Kaeya was sure to follow. If Diluc was sad, Kaeya would make him smile. When Diluc dragged Kaeya along with his mischievous plans, Kaeya would accompany him without question. If they got caught, Kaeya would happily serve the punishment without complaint.
Diluc was his other half, the light in his otherwise dark and convoluted existence. They knew each other's thoughts and intentions without needing to share a word. What they had between them was almost surreal.
However, Diluc was also the source of his recent anxiety. When the red head gave him that beaming grin, it would light up his world. When he would hold Kaeya’s hand it would make his heart flutter. These feelings were ones Kaeya recognized as more than friendly, and it made him confused and distressed.
They had a carefully constructed relationship. Years of understanding that turned into an unshakable trust.
How could Kaeya ruin what they had?
Diluc’s actions were always respectable and just. Nothing that showed that there could be more than a friendly companionship between the two.
Kaeya couldn’t break that. He wouldn’t. So he told himself to be content with what they had.
But it was so hard.
Especially with Diluc approaching adulthood. Meeting with other nobles their age had begun to serve a different purpose than just playing. A purpose that Kaeya was not fond of. He was perceptive. His starry eye always found the people that talked to Diluc for a bit too long, or the people who stood by his side far too close.
It bothered Kaeya. The fact it made him feel that way, bothered him even more. At one point he was hoping that what he felt was a crush, or just a bubbling of hormonal teenage lust.
It was almost upsetting when a year later he still felt the same. He had hoped somewhere along the line that his brain would move on. Unfortunately, fate would never be that kind to him. Instead, his feelings grew and flourished into love. Something that Kaeya had wished to experience one day, but not under his current circumstances.
Kaeya would spend countless nights alone in his bed wishing that he could hold the other. Love and cherish him the way he wanted to. Unrestrained and true to his heart.
When they would share a tent on their expeditions, Kaeya could never get a full night's rest. Sharing a bed was not an unusual occurrence for them, as they did so a lot growing up together. Now, however, his hands would itch to caress the other.
If Kaeya felt bold he would brush Diluc’s soft hair from his face as he slept, and the other’s button nose would scrunch up adorably from the movement. Yet nothing could compare to when Diluc would sleepily chase after his touch, the subconscious action making Kaeya’s heart soar.
It was tortuous when Diluc unconsciously brushed their legs together in his deep sleep. The innocent grazing of skin would arouse Kaeya instantly. There were several mornings where Kaeya faked sleeping in so that Diluc would leave the tent without seeing his hard-on.
Those mornings, if he was lucky, Kaeya would rush to jump in a cold lake. On the unfortunate occasion, where he would wake up with a hard-on and there was no large body of water nearby, he would find a quiet spot away from camp where he could take care of the problem. It was embarrassing how fast he would cum on his hand. Just a few strokes was all it took when he imagined Diluc’s lips around his cock.
It only got worse with time. Kaeya would watch Diluc as he left a steamy shower during the winter with a towel wrapped precariously around his hips, or fixate on Diluc’s exposed chest as he unbuttoned his shirt during sweltering summer days; it all drove Kaeya insane.
Small things like their hands touching when they exchanged books, or when they sat too close together on carriage rides, became too much. Sometimes Kaeya wondered if Diluc was doing it intentionally, but that was a ridiculous thought.
“Kae?” Diluc’s voice snapped Kaeya from his thoughts.
“Yeah?” Kaeya replied, his attention focusing back to the present.
“I was calling your name for a while. Is there something on your mind?”
You.
“Nothing important. I was just thinking about how we could spend our day off tomorrow.” The response was as smooth as Kaeya could manage. How long had he zoned out for?
Diluc gave Kaeya a confused look, but continued the thought.
“We could go stargazing. It’s been a while since we did that.” He suggested, his finger tapping against his chin thoughtfully.
Ah, stargazing. It was an activity they loved doing ever since they were kids. Diluc would hold a flickering lantern as he flipped through their book of constellations. They would spend hours trying to find various constellations in the sky as well as making some of their own.
Now as teenagers approaching adulthood, the thought seemed very romantic. Perhaps Kaeya was reading too far into it. They stargazed from the comfort of the winery rooftop anyway.
Diluc continued, his eyes glittering with excitement. “Why don’t we make it special and go to Starsnatch Cliff?”
“Starsnatch Cliff?” Kaeya said as he froze. Why there of all places? It was a well known location for lovers to visit at night. “Isn’t that a bit out of the way?”
Diluc’s voice ramped up in excitement, he was almost vibrating where he stood. “It would be nice to stargaze somewhere other than the rooftop, plus Starsnatch Cliff has a beautiful view of the night sky. It won’t take us too long if we ride there. We could even make a day out of it and drop by windrise too.” He turned to Kaeya with pleading eyes. “So?”
Kaeya let out a sigh. Logically it made sense. It was a perfect place to stargaze, and it didn’t mean anything romantic. Regardless, he could never say no to Diluc. Especially with so much hope in his gaze. “Alright. We can head out tomorrow morning.”
He watched as Diluc bounded further ahead of him, happily chattering about the day. “Perfect! I’ll ask Adelinde if she can make us lunch. We need to make sure that we bring our book of constellations too, and–”
Diluc’s voice began to fade in Kaeya’s mind as he gazed at the other. The way he strolled ahead without a care in the world was endearing. His face radiated unbridled happiness as he laughed between sentences; his face flushed as his eyes crinkled with glee.
Kaeya’s heart clenched, his throat tightening as emotions raged inside of him.
“Luc.” Kaeya called desperately.
The red head paused his step and turned to face him, the contagious bliss stretched across his face in the form of a grin.
“Yes, Kae?”
“I love you.”
The loud thundering of his heartbeat echoed in his head as the words finally caught up with him. He watched as crimson eyes stared back at him in shock. What did he do?
Kaeya watched anxiously as Diluc opened and closed his mouth as if he was going to talk, but the words never came out.
That response was all Kaeya needed to know that he fucked up. Their bond of trust built over the years, the precarious dance that they carefully created. Kaeya just ruined it with three words.
The reality of the situation began to wash over Kaeya as he took an uncertain step back. Why did he do that? Wasn’t being a sworn brother enough?
“Forget it. Please. I shouldn’t have said anything,” he looked away, feeling tears well in his eyes.
“Kae.” Diluc started quietly.
Kaeya stiffened. What little confidence he had left in his heart couldn't take a verbal rejection.
“No, It’s okay. I understand. I’m your sworn brother, and you have the responsibility of being the Ravgnvindr heir,” Kaeya rambled, not noticing that tears had begun trailing down his cheeks. “Not to mention being the Cavalry Captain, you already have so much more to worry about. Even if you wanted to find someone, you deserve to find the perfect partner. Not some strange outsider who can’t offer you anything.”
A tense silence hung between them.
“I really am unworthy,” Kaeya muttered with acceptance.
That lit Diluc’s fire. Blazing eyes stared at Kaeya with a heated determination.
“Don’t call yourself unworthy when you’re the one I love the most.” Diluc exclaimed, standing confidently with his hands fisted by his sides.
Kaeya was speechless as the world slowed down for him. The crystalflies surrounding them fluttered in the darkened sky. They lit the area along with a few stars that had appeared. Diluc’s bangs gently danced around his face with the wind, the scene almost like something out of a romance novel. However, Kaeya would not be swayed. Surely Diluc didn’t mean that romantically.
“Diluc. I-”
“Would you let me speak?” Diluc interrupted.
Kaeya gave a small nod, keeping his mouth shut.
“Who would invite someone to go to Starsnatch Cliff to stargaze platonically?”
“You?” Kaeya replied unsure, shifting his weight nervously.
Diluc blinked slowly, looking at Kaeya as if he grew a second head. “Oh, for the love of Barbatos!”
Kaeya’s eye widened as he watched Diluc march up to him and cup his tear streaked cheeks in his hands. Any words that Kaeya had planned to use to defend himself were cut off as Diluc kissed him.
It was quick and timid. A soft pressing of their lips, but to Kaeya, it was perfect.
Diluc pulled back with a pout. “Is that clear enough for you?” he whispered, a blush dusting his cheeks.
“Yeah,” Kaeya breathed quietly. The new tears flowing down his face now from joy instead of grief. “More than enough.”
“Good.” Diluc leaned up to Kaeya, their lips hovering close. “I’ve loved you for a long time. I can’t believe you never noticed. Maybe me walking around half naked wasn’t enough.”
Kaeya flushed. “I noticed some things, but I fully believed that you wouldn’t reciprocate my feelings.”
“Well you can get that thought out of your head.” Diluc frowned, his thumbs wiping Kaeya’s tears.
“I suppose I can.” Kaeya smiled bashfully as he wrapped his arms around Diluc’s waist and pulled him in for another kiss. This time they took their time exploring each other. Changing the steps of their dance to something new, but welcome. Now united stronger than ever, there was nothing that could pull them apart. Everything would be alright. No matter what fate would throw their way, they would always face it together.