HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY DEAR CAVALRY CAPTAIN! w

11/30/21


Kaeya Alberich

So long ago was a time of innocence, dreams, and childhood promises. A child wants to have a home, a child hiding a secret from his new family.

It has been a couple of years since that dark, rainy night ( I sigh at the mellow memories recently, and I chuckle to myself fondly.) My beloved and I have at least started becoming more amicable to each other after what happened at the Archipelago.)

Since then, I have had a slight hope that we could be on better terms. I don't want to ask for something more since I feel that this is more than enough, and the archons might just laugh in my face if I ask for anything ext; for now, just being in Diluc's sights is enough.

I sighed and brought my hand to rub at my temple in deep thought, 'I feel like I am forgetting something…hmm….' I tried to think about what I had forgotten, but I quickly paid it no mind. Another sigh leaves my lips, and I start walking out of the Favonious Headquarters. For some reason, Jean, had I guess, to put it lightly, "Told me to leave" for the reason that I have yet to understand.

I have no idea why, since It was one of the busiest days that we've had, and the workaholic that she is comes came in, or a better word for it, she barged into my office with a scowl on her face. 'Hm, what's gotten her in a sour mood?' Mentally chuckling, I immediately refrain from saying anything due to the nature of how this time she came into my office. I decided not to press on the very last bit of patience she may have.

My eye was glued to the Acting Grandmaster; I couldn't help but begin smirking at that scowling face. "Good Afternoon Acting Grandmaster, what is so urgent that you needed to barge into my office?" I waited for her answer and did my best not to chuckle. "Stop whatever you are doing, you workaholic. Get out of here." (Wow, she is in an iffy mood.) She said so while crossing her arms. I was stumped. My facade broke just a bit with shock.

"Huh? What do you mean to leave? Isn't today the busiest day we've had?" I start to chuckle a bit nervously, "I should be here Jean, why are you trying to make me leave?" I heard her sigh, "Please, Kaeya, just go home for today..." I glance up at her. She had a slight smile on her face, and my eyebrows raised in confusion. 'Why would she make me go home? There isn't anything special about today, right?' (This is entirely odd.)

I let out a sigh and decided to concede to her request. "Fine, Fine, I guess I'll tie some loose ends to these reports and-" Out of nowhere, I felt myself being lifted off of my chair. "Jean, what are you doing?!"

I start squirming, trying to get out of her grasp. She ignores me, and man is she strong. She had started walking towards the front entrance of the headquarters, and once we were outside, she placed me down and walked back inside, her not even letting me speak. I looked back at the front doors, confused. 'What the hell?' I say in my mind.

Turning around, I saw the widened eyes of the guards standing outside, and I just chuckled, "Haha…Well, our Acting Grandmaster sure is strong." I sigh once they turn away, trying to hold in their laughter. I rolled my eyes, annoyance starting to form. I sighed and started to walk away from the building. My mind was a mess as I started to walk to Angel's Share.

I was now standing in front of the door, but I didn't feel like I wanted to drink tonight. I wanted to see my beloved, but I just felt out of it, so I just made up my mind and decided to go out for a stroll outside the city instead.

Sighing, I continued on my path. It had been a while since I had gotten kicked out of my office by Jean. Looking up to the sky, I started seeing the sun setting. In the distance, I saw some crystal flies. My lips turned into a small smile, and I started walking to them. The tiny crystal flies began flying in a direction, my curiosity got the better of me, and I followed them.

They lead me to a familiar place, following the small crystal flies.

'The grapevines…' I smile a bit sadly at seeing that not that far was Dawn Winery. I shake my head, 'This brings back so many memories….' I started to walk towards the winery as the crystal flies went out in front. 'They feel like they are guiding me?'

I pondered about this for a bit. My thoughts came to a halt once I saw that they had stopped in front of the main doors of the winery. My curiosity and a bit of nervousness started surfacing a bit as I got closer to the main entrance. 'Is Diluc here? No, he wouldn't; his shift is today at the tavern..'

I close my eyes, and I softly touch the door and place my forehead on it. The nostalgia was coming back to me.

Many Years Back...

"Kae!" A young boy ran towards me with the brightest smile on his face. His wild red-velvet hair bounced in every way as those doll eyes began to sparkle.

"Yes?"

He stops and pants a little, trying to regain his breath. After a while of gasping and whatnot, he straightens up and looks at me with a determined expression.

"Kaeya." I tilted my head a bit, "Yes, Luc?" I start to fidget a bit with the ends of my shirt.

"So…I wanted to ask, When is your birthday Kae?"

I looked at him in confusion while we both sat down under the shade of the tree.

"Why?" I asked, and he frowned.

"What do you mean why Kae?! I'm asking because, well. Father, Adelinde, and I want to plan a birthday party for you…."

I could see his cheeks glowing a deep rosy hue. I couldn't help but smile softly.

"My birthday…" I begin to ponder aloud.

"Well, If I remember correctly…I think it was November 30th?"

I hear a sharp intake of breath, "TOMORROW?!" I widen my eyes and look at him, "Yes?" Diluc was frozen in shock, and I almost wanted to laugh at him.

After a moment, Diluc clears his throat, and He blushes slightly and looks away, pouting a bit, "Well… look forward to tomorrow, Kae! Because tomorrow you are going to get the best birthday party in your entire life!" He then turns to me and smiles brightly, his hands on his hips. I finally let out a chuckle, "Haha, got it, Luc."

He grins and stands up; as he does, he gives me his hands so that I can stand up. "Kaeya! For your future birthdays, want to see the sunrise with me? Of course, after your birthday." Diluc keeps on smiling and waits for my answer. I blushed, my heart starting to race. I give him a small smile while I nod; he immediately beams and smiles wider. He holds my hands gently, "I promise you, Kae, that I will always be there with you to celebrate your birthday …So, Happy Birthday, Kaeya." His smile, his full splendor, pulled me along. 'Like the sun….'

Present Time...

I sighed. 'How many years had that been? Ever since our fallout, none of my birthdays have been memorable. It was bland, monotone, lonely, but those days back then, before everything, were so beautiful, colorful, bright….' I thought with a fond smile. I looked to the door in front of me once more, and I braced myself. I was going to open it, and I was already waiting for disappointment.

I shook my head, 'It's fine, Diluc won't be here. He is at the tavern….' I told myself this again as I finally opened the door and…

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY KAEYA!" I recoiled back at the volume of the yells. I froze in shock, my voice not coming out, except for a few, "W-what..h-huh?"

'Wait…Birthday? Mine?' My eyes widened.

"Haha, you should see your face Kaeya, haha~ Did you forget it was your birthday or what?" Lisa was smirking. My expression didn't change, and I saw Jean behind her take a step forward, with a concerned face, "Wait…Kaeya, you didn't remember it was your birthday today?"

She places her hands on her hips, and I gulp. 'Shit…today was my birthday?' The whole room was tense and silent. I gulped again, but I cleared my throat and put on a fake smile to hide all the pain and memories of the birthdays I had before in my lonesome. On these days, I usually didn't celebrate it because it brought memories and thoughts that I didn't want to acknowledge.

I hear a sigh from someone, and in front of me, coming behind Jean, I see Diluc. My eyes widened again, 'D-Diluc is here?!' He was now standing right in front of me, no expression on his face, but very faintly, I could see a slight blush? 'No, No..get your mind out of the clouds, that can't be a blush, you idiot!' I feel my cheeks getting a bit hot, but I try not to let my surprise show.

"..." I waited in silence for what Diluc was going to say, "Jean…prepared this birthday party for you…." I hear a gasp from behind him, and I see him turn to, I think, Jean, and she promptly turns quiet. "She heard that It was your birthday today, and she wanted to give you a birthday to remember…so…." He stops, and he turns away, "Enjoy it…I guess" He turns around and goes to the very back. I was still frozen in place, but I cleared my throat and composed myself after a while.

"Haha…well, thank you, Jean," I say with a small smile. I noticed that she also smiled, but…Did it look a bit strained? I see Lisa silently and slowly grab her hand and lace their fingers together to comfort her. I smile a bit more at seeing this interaction.

Smirking when I see Jean blush and turn her head away. (It took them forever to confess to each other haha, glad they got their acts together and admitted. Oh, but who am I kidding? I'm the one who hasn't even confessed to their crush.)

"Well! Let's enjoy this party!" I say with an enthusiastic tone, and everyone in the hall brightens up and starts to chat between themselves. I also began to mingle with multiple guests. People looked at me, congratulated me, grinned, and said my thanks.

I had a small talk with Jean, Lisa, Amber, and even Adelinde. She gave me a soft smile, and I smiled genuinely at her. She also congratulated me and gave me a hug, to which I hugged her back and thanked her. After that, There were a lot of recognizable faces that I talked to, but the one I wanted to talk to wasn't in the hall. I sighed in disappointment and tried not to let it faze me when I felt a tap on my shoulder.

I turned around, and It was Jean. "Jean? Weren't you talking with Lisa a while ago?" I say, confused, and she nods, "Yes, I was, but…I needed to tell you something.." I raise a brow, "Ok? What is it?" I say with a small smile, and she sighs, "What Master Diluc said a while ago about how I prepared your birthday party…It is a lie." She looks down, "W-What? What do you mean? Who else would plan it?" I said, confusion lacing my tone.

She lets out a chuckle and smiles, "Kaeya, who else do you think would do it? That person was way too embarrassed to tell you…." I think for a moment, and after a while, It clicks, "You can't mean…." She nods gently, "Yes, the person who planned all of this was your Master Diluc."

She places a hand on my shoulder, "He was the one who came to me about all of this. He was the one who told me to let you go early from your duties; he also told Venti to help with the crystal flies that brought you here with the breeze. Master Diluc told all of us to help…."

My face heated up, surprise lingering in my expression. Jean laughs, her tone full of mirth. "You didn't think that Diluc planned your birthday?" I stutter, "W-Well, how was I going to know?! He usually is so cold to me; how would I know that he still cared about me enough to plan this?" I utter in a whisper. To this, Jean sighs.

Raising my head, I look at Jean's gentle expression, and she grabs my shoulder. Her grip wasn't too firm, but just enough to bring her point across. "Talk to him Kaeya, you and I both know that you guys need to talk. I know that both of you did kind of reconcile at the archipelago, but for today, you guys need to speak to each other. And Maybe~" She winks. "You can tell him about your feelings as well; wouldn't that kill two birds with one stone?" (Jeez, did she pick that up from Lisa?)

I scoff, "So you knew?" She rolls her eyes, "Of course, we knew Kaeya; it was obvious how you two looked at each other!" I blushed lightly. (I thought I was being subtle…) Once more, Jean tapped my cheek, her Acting Grandmaster aura appeared, and I sighed. "Anyway, I saw Diluc go into a back room, which I think is the study; go find him and talk."

"I'll try Jean..but don't hope for anything…." I say while I wave to her and head off to the study, where Jean saw Diluc going in.

"Hopefully, Diluc doesn't try to burn me or anything; I don't want to fight..." I grumble to myself softly.

I was now standing in front of the study door. Sighing, I knock, and I hear a familiar, rough voice, "Come in." I brace myself, and I enter, closing the door behind me with a soft, *bam*

Diluc doesn't turn around, and I awkwardly stand near the door. Softly sighing to myself, I try to keep my voice stable as I talk. "Hello, Master Diluc~" I cross my arms over my chest while starting to walk closer to him. Hearing a sharp intake of breath from Diluc made me smirk, "Kaeya..."

Diluc sighs and finally turns around as he also crosses his arms and stands there with a deadpan expression. (Which was his usual face.) "You know, Master Diluc, if you keep scowling like that, you'll get wrinkles faster~."

I chuckle, and Diluc huffs in annoyance, "What did you come here? If you are only here to mock me, then get out." He says with a bit of growl. I shook my head and laughed, "Oh Master Diluc, I heard from a little birdy that it was you that planned this party…Is that right?" I smirked, even more, when I saw his face go red. "What?" He let out a harsh gasp. "Who did you hear that from?" I can hear some growling through his teeth.

I give him a few minutes to see if he could guess, and I immediately see the invisible gears in his head click, and he lets out a deep sigh and pinches the bridge of his nose. "It was Jean…wasn't it…?" I clap my hands, "Good Job Master Diluc. Your deduction was on point!" He sighs once more, and I burst into a loud laugh. "Luc...You are losing the small amount of happiness you have by sighing~" Diluc rolls his eyes and sits down on a chair in front of the fireplace.

"Just get over here, Kaeya…." Diluc says with a soft and surprisingly gentle tone. My laughter immediately died down, and I looked at him in confusion. I stood still, frozen in place. I didn't pick up on Diluc's annoyed grumble until I felt him dragging me to a seat. "Sit down, you overgrown idiot" My legs finally move, and I sit on one of the sofas facing the fireplace, and so does Diluc.

Nervousness, and anxiousness, started gnawing at me from the depths of my mind. I couldn't take this silence, and I was about to say something until Diluc spoke up. Softly, tenderly, his voice was a bit hesitant, and his face showed an expression that I hadn't seen since when we were young. "Kae…do you remember how we used to go out to the grapevines and just chase around crystal flies? Or how we used to go out just sit down under the trees and talk…?"

I gulped, but I nodded. Diluc continues, "And, with your birthdays, Remember how we used to go out to the benches outside and sit on them until we saw the sunrise?" Diluc chuckles while he says this, and my heart swells at the noise. I nod again, a soft smile adorning my cheeks, "Yes, those were some good memories…."

Softly, my facade, my mask that I had put up all those years ago when Diluc had left, finally cracked. For a moment, we both didn't say a thing, but the atmosphere was gentle, tender, and reminiscing. It wasn't tense like it was a moment ago, and I let out a breath I hadn't known I was holding. "Kaeya…" I looked towards Diluc, and I smiled.

"Yes, Luc?" Softly I say. I hear him sigh as if he was surrendering to me.

"I think…" He trailed off out of shyness before finding the words to continue. It was almost cute to see him fumble.

"Kaeya, I owe you an apology..."

"An apology…? What for, My dear Diluc?" I say with a bit of levity, to which again Diluc rolls his eyes, but not in the usual annoyance-driven way he always does it.

This time, it was more of a fondly kind of way. This was quite a surprise for me, a pleasant one.

"You know…" Diluc sighs and pinches the bridge of his nose. He composes himself and opens his eyes again. "I guess I can repeat myself…."

Closing his eyes, Diluc takes a deep breath once more. The atmosphere again turns suspenseful. A few moments passed; as I was observing him. I was waiting for his response; he opened his eyes. Determination with a bit of remorse filled his gaze.

"I…am sorry, Kaeya." He pauses, trying to organize his thoughts. I stay still, giving him room to compose himself, not rushing him at all, just waiting for him to continue.

"For..everything. I know that It doesn't excuse everything I've done, but I just felt that you needed to hear an apology from me. I am not doing this for your forgiveness, even though that would be the most ideal, but I just…."

My eyes widened, tears were starting to cascade gently from Diluc's ruby eyes, and I quickly went to his side and cupped his cheeks. He sniffled, and my heart broke at how Diluc held my hands with his shaking ones. Diluc's expression bore pain, regret, and remorse. As if it was a testament of yearning and just pure longing.

Just seeing him like this, my emotions started swirling as well, tears started swelling out of my eyes. Diluc sniffles again, "I'm sorry…I'm so sorry, Kae…."

I smile sadly, "Luc..look at me..please.." I tell him delicately, never taking my hands back from his pale cheeks. He raises his gaze, and I kiss his forehead, to which he gasps. I begin to speak in a quiet but loving tone, "Luc…firefly, I also owe you an apology." Diluc tries to explain, but I place a finger on his lips, "Shh, shh, Let me speak…please.."

I say with an earnest expression. Diluc nods slowly and stays quiet. "I…am also sorry. At the time, I wanted to take the guilt away from keeping this from you. I now realize that time and place matter for something as serious as that. I also realized that now, but back then, I didn't. I had had enough of hiding, with the guilt eating away at me on the inside. When I came to you that night I…."

I look down, the memory being so vivid in my mind. Suddenly, Diluc lifts his hands to my cheeks, lightly, tenderly caressing them, while he gives me a look of reassurance. A small smile forms on his lips, filled with certainty, devotion, and tenderness. I then lean into his hands, His small act of affection making my heart swell with joy. Maybe there still was hope.

I take a deep breath, ready to continue. "That night…I had expected you to lash out at me. If I were in your place, I would've done the same thing. I mean, who wouldn't when you just told the person, who you have been together for almost forever, that he was a spy for a foreign country? Even if I did expect you to lash out at me, I had a small hope that you wouldn't, that you would still accept me with open arms. So, when you did, I at the moment had lost all hope, Luc, I wanted you to kill me…."

I say that with a slight whisper, looking down; shame was all over me in waves. I had never wanted to tell this to Diluc. I didn't want to look up; I didn't want to see what expression he would have at the confession I had just made.

Diluc's hands were shaking, and they fell from my cheeks. 'Is he angry? I don't want to look….' Sad?

"Kaeya…look at me…." Diluc says, his voice not disclosing how his face would look. What emotion would be on that pale face? I grudgingly looked up at Diluc's eyes, and I widened my eyes. He had a severe expression, we both waited for a breath when *slap!*

Diluc had just slapped me. I touch my cheek gingerly and wince at the pain; I look back to Diluc and widen my eyes even more. He has complete tears running down his cheeks now,

"You Idiot!" He yells as he then pulls me into a tight hug. I was speechless. The cheek where Diluc's hand had made contact stung, but I couldn't even feel much of that pain when I could feel Diluc's warmth seep into my skin. I could even feel how fast his heart was racing with how close our chests were.

"Dilu-"

"Shut up, Kaeya!" He yells, and hugs me tighter, "You stupid, fucking idiot! Why…Why did you ever think that! E-Even if at that moment, my rage wanted me to kill you! I…I would never do that to you! Idiot!" I can hear him trying to contain his cries of anguish, and I silently hug him back, letting him let out all his pent-up rage.

After both of us let out our pent-up emotions, we calmed down. We were still in an embrace, but now, Diluc was in my lap, his arms wrapped around my neck, while I had my arms wrapped around his waist. We both just wanted to be in each other's presence. The tense atmosphere from a few minutes ago was now relaxed and filled with warmness, comfort.

"Kaeya…" Diluc says, a bit exhausted, from our heartfelt emotions, said not that long ago.

"Yes, my love?" I said with a bit of cheerfulness in my voice. Diluc looks up at me, his eyes slowly but surely starting to get the glow they had back then. All the weights raised off of both our shoulders. Diluc lightly smiles, but then he frowns while one of his arms unwraps from my neck and his hand gets close to the cheek he had slapped. "Sorry…does it still hurt?"

I chuckle, and one of my hands grabs his hand in a tender squeeze, "Not anymore darling, It didn't hurt that much, haha, I don't mind receiving a hit or two from my cute, adorable kitten~" I place Diluc's hand on my cheek with a grin, and he reddens, "S-Shut up, you pervert! Hmpf!"

Diluc says while he looks at me with slight redness on his cheeks. He turns his face away in embarrassment, but he doesn't take his hand back, making me smile wider. We stay like that for a bit longer until Diluc speaks again. "So…when your birthday party is over…Kae, do you want to go out and see the sunrise?"

I chuckled and smiled soft-heartedly, and once again, It was like the past—Diluc's adorable blush, and he asked me the same question as years ago. I lovingly kiss his forehead, and I hear a small snort of noise. My whole soul brightened up at that. It was starting to get easier to tell what Diluc was feeling. When he is happy, he either will make a slight noise of contentment or outright laugh (which is rare nowadays, but I had the pleasure of seeing it a bit more than others.)

"Of course, my firefly, I would love to see the sunrise with you…." Diluc rolls his eyes, but he gives a small, fond smile.

When we finally came out of that study, everyone talked amongst themselves. Jean is the first one that sees us, and she immediately brightens. She waves us over, and we walk to her.

"So?" She crosses her arms, "Did you both finally talk everything out?" One of her eyebrows raises, waiting for our answer. Diluc sighs, "Yes, we did…." He says while Jean smiles. Lisa then interrupts, with an amused huff, "Did you both also finally get over yourselves and confess to each other already?" Lisa said with a grin on her face while her hands were on her hips.

I gulped, 'Well, obviously not! Even though…' I looked towards Diluc, and I could see a huge blush on his face, "W-What do you mean 'confess' our feelings?!" He says with a bit of a stutter. I chuckle internally, 'Oh boy….'

"Really? You guys didn't?" Jean says wide-eyed, and I chuckle, "Well, no Jean..we didn't, but Mr. Oblivious here wouldn't get it even If I lay it out for him~" I smirk, and Diluc turns to me. "W-Wha, what do you mean?" I gave him a small sigh while I shook my head, "Diluc, love, I've been flirting with you for a pretty long while now, but you, my beautiful, sexy idiot, have not picked up on any of my flirtatious cues…~."

Diluc stares at me, yet I see no reaction on his face. Stone-faced, he says nothing, and I try to hold in my laughter at his response. I looked over to Jean, and I saw that she had her hand over her mouth, but I could see the slight upward tilt of her mouth; she was hiding her smirk.

Lisa was chuckling silently behind her, and I was still grinning, waiting for another of Diluc's reactions.

Then, out of the blue, Diluc turns away from me and runs out of the winery. Our eyes widened, and before I could call to him, Diluc had left.

Jeans face morphs into one of worry, "Did…we tease too much?"

"It's alright, dear. Our Cavalry Captain will go find Master Diluc and make upright?" Lisa smirks in my direction. I slightly wince, 'Usually, Diluc doesn't care for my teasing, but…did I go too far this time?' Worried a little, I start to head out of the winery to determine where Diluc had runoff. I look towards the stable close to the winery, and I see one of the horses missing. I went closer to the sound, and my eyes widened when I saw a horse I was familiar with in my past. I sighed, "Of course, he would be on horseback…."

"Dea?" I say with fondness, 'Diluc didn't sell her off after I left?' My heart constricted, and I felt a bit of melancholy. I slowly approach Dea*, and she immediately turns her head to me, and in her eyes, I could see the recognition.

She neighs, and after I open her pen, she hurriedly trouts to me, and with her muzzle, she starts nuzzling me affectionately, making me chuckle. "Oh, how have you been, girl?" I smile as she neighs happily, "Good girl, have the stablemen taken good care of you, hm?" I laugh as her nose snorts in my face. "Ok, ok, good, now partner, ready to find the elusive Master Diluc?" I take her reins, leading her further out of the stable. Once we were both out, I grabbed her reins firmly, and I softly lowered her head to stroke her mane.

Whispering, I slowly let her reins go, "I am going to go back and grab your saddle, alright, girl? Don't move, alright?" I smile, and she neighs in response. I back away from her, and I quickly but quietly go back to the stable to grab her saddle.

To my surprise and astonishment, I was expecting her saddle to be dirty, or dusty given that I hadn't ridden Dea since I was 16. I got closer to the saddle, and It looked brand new. 'Did…no, Diluc couldn't have…got one made for me, right? That's…' I shake my head, denying the thought. I quickly picked up the saddle and headed out of the stable towards Dea.

I place the saddle carefully on Dea; she snorts a bit, but she doesn't move that much and lets me adjust it so It wouldn't fall to the side, and I can ride comfortably.

After I was finished, I went to the left side of her, held both reins on my left hand, and I gathered them with a tuft of her mane; after that was secured, I lifted my left foot into the stirrup, my right hand grabbed the cantle of the saddle, and I get ready to spring myself up with my right leg. (Author: I know nothing of horses! Sorry if the information is incorrect!)

I do some small springs to get ready.

Following that, I then make a big spring with my right leg, and I land on the saddle. I keep Dea stable, and I slightly adjust to myself, checking to see if everything was in order before I deem everything was alright and straighten myself ready to find Diluc.

'Diluc, Diluc, Diluc…where the heck would you run off to?' My mind was running in circles, trying to remember what places Diluc could be in. The list ranged from my childhood to his personality. I sighed.

'and here I thought that Diluc hadn't gotten far, but I was mistaken.'

"…"

I stopped to think, 'Where else could he be? I've already looked for him in all the places he would be most likely to be by himself, where else?' I closed my eyes, and immediately a place popped into my head, so I quickly opened my eyes, and I started heading towards Starsnatch Cliff, hoping Diluc would be there.

I had arrived at the bottom of Starsnatch cliff, and I saw Diluc's horse hitched on a sturdy tree branch. I sighed in relief at this, and I slowly got off Dea, and I walked towards Diluc's horse, so I could hitch Dea close to where Arwen was on another tree branch.

Once I was done with that, I started walking up to the cliff. I could see that the sky was lit up with stars, and the moon was shining so brightly that when I got to the cliff edge, I immediately recognized the untamable, red hair that was solely Diluc's.

I smile, and I slowly and quietly come to his side; Sitting next to him, Diluc lets out a small gasp as I gently grab his hands.

He quickly turns his head to me, and then he looks down just as soon to our joined hands. Even though it was dark, and It was nighttime, I could still see Diluc's flushed cheeks. It made me want to tease him more, but I refrained from it.

"So…why did you run away, hm?" I ask him with a slight playfulness to my tone. Diluc tenses and he turns away, not letting go of my hand, which was pleasantly surprising.

"..." Diluc doesn't speak, but I don't push him, seeing that the last time we did, Diluc had run away like a blushing, shy maiden. (Not that it is an insult, he is a cute, blushing, shy maiden~)

I squeezed his hand, reassuring him that he could speak. Diluc lets out a sigh, "I…after you told me that…I was so surprised at my obliviousness like, I mean to be honest, how can It be my fault for not realizing you were flirting with me when you flirt with every living object in your vicinity?" Diluc glares at me, and I widen my eyes; after a while, though, I let out a laugh.

"Wait, Wait…Y-You..think that all of this is my fault?" I say while trying to contain my laughter. I know I had reassured Diluc that I wasn't going to make fun of him, but man is he making this hard on me.

"S-Stop laughing!" Diluc yells while he grabs his hand and is about to slap me when I catch his wrist and get close to him.

His blush turns redder, and I give him a smirk, "Well, my sweet Luc,"

I bring his hand to my lips, and I kiss his knuckles gently, "I guess I'll tell you…." I lifted my gaze to his eyes; my smirk was gone.

I grabbed his other hand, and his eyes slightly waver, but I gave him a small smile to soothe him. To which he lets out a small breath, and I continue.

"Diluc…ever since I was adopted into your family by Master Crepus, I..have always loved you. Be it adoration, admiration, infatuation, and eventually love, you were always on my mind. Even when you were being a dork and doing the most idiotic things to impress me, everything you did was radiant and bright. I am dark, ominous, and lost compared to my world and mind. Luc, you were my light, my escape from the mission that was thrust onto me since young." I hadn't noticed when my eyes had closed, but when I opened them, I could see Diluc struggling to hold his tears in.

I gave him a chuckle, "Luc…I love you, and I always had…." I wipe away a lone tear escaping to cascade done his pale cheek. Giving him the warmest smile filled with all the love I have for him, he finally lets his tears go, and he clings to me.

"S-Stupid Kaeya…I have always loved you too! I…" I was a bit shocked by the rare hug, but I rapidly reciprocated it. I tightened my hold, and I whispered soothing words so that Diluc could calm down a bit.

After that turmoil of emotion from Diluc, he had calmed down enough that he confessed how he felt all these years with his flushed cheeks. How he had started liking me as a sibling when we met, but that gradually those feelings turned into romantic love when we started becoming teenagers, and that all the years after our fall out, he had been trying to forget about me, but he just couldn't.

Diluc, then while he was in my lap, also confessed his jealousy the day he came back while hiding in the crowd saw me flirting with a woman. I laughed at this and poked him on the cheek, telling him that that was for intel gathering. Diluc pouts,

"I, of course, know that now…but…back then, seeing you flirting…with someone else that wasn't me…I felt betrayed and angry, but I felt guilty and relieved most of all. This was the moment where I told myself I could finally let you go. Let you live your life happily with a lover, forgetting about me. But even though I told myself that my feelings for you didn't diminish every day, they augmented each day I saw you. Each day that you supposedly flirted with me. You had changed, Kae. You changed into a person I didn't know, the smirks, the flirtatiousness, the flamboyance. That wasn't the Kaeya I knew, yet my heart raced every time I saw you, every time I heard your sensual voice. I just couldn't anymore."

Diluc sighs and I smile softly. Grabbing one of Diluc's hands and lovingly stroking my thumb on the backside of his hand, calming him. He lays his head on my chest and continues.

"So…I tried avoiding you…I needed to avoid you at all costs, but every time I did, you would come back to the tavern an even worse menace than before. It then became hard to avoid you when the whole debacle of the Abyss order started to attack Mondstadt, and we both had to team up together for some time, and even the whole thing at the Archipelago I couldn't just avoid you anymore." I kiss the top of his head, and in a gentle, warm tone, "Luc…."

Diluc turns around in my lap, "What?" He says, confused while I smile, "I love you." I say while I softly bring my lips to his. He lets out a cute, small gasp, but he reciprocates just as quickly while wrapping his arms around my neck, making the both of us chest to chest now, enjoying each other lips, as now finally, finally, we confessed our feelings to one another.

All of our love, our passions, and all of our pent-up emotions were displayed in that kiss.

I push him down gently on the grass while I interlock our fingers, still enjoying the taste of each other.

Diluc gives me a soft smile, and he unclasps one of his hands from mine. We only let each other's lips go when we both needed oxygen. Panting softly, Diluc's smile at that moment was so radiant for the first time in all these years. I smile back just as bright, "I love you too…Kaeya." Diluc says, and my breath hitches, and I could feel something slide down my cheeks.

"You idiot…Don't cry…." He lovingly says while one of his fingers strokes my tears away.

With my free hand, I grip his hand on my cheek, and I lean into it, "Don't worry, love…these are tears of joy.." I say while chuckling; the tears seemed neverending.

When we both finally composed ourselves, we sat once again side by side, but there was no distance between us; we were finally together. We had talked so much that we both could see that the sun was starting to peek its head over the horizon.

Diluc lets out a quiet laugh, "This makes me remember your birthday when we were young…." I hum in delight, "Yes, I also remember that every time, on my birthday, we used to sneak out of the winery to go see the sunrise…." Diluc nods, "and every time dad caught us; he would just sigh and tell us not to do it again, even though we did each time."

I chuckle, "Yes…one of many of my favorite memories…." I say while Diluc hums. He then turns to look at me, "Kaeya." He says, and I smile, "Yes, Luc?"

He clears his throat, and with a slight blush, he opens his mouth, "H-Happy Birthday, Kaeya…." He says, and my eyes widen.

The sun was finally rising, and the red and orange hues were lighting us now. I give him a big smile, "Thank you, Luc." I say while I kiss his lips. He chuckles, and after our short but sweet kiss, we place our foreheads together, and we close our eyes—basking in each other's presence and warmth.

After all that time, we had finally made some progress in moving on from the horrors of our pasts. We were going to move to a brighter tomorrow, and we would do it together.

Fin


NekoAyane: Thank you for enjoying this oneshot! This was supposed to come out for Kaeya's birthday xdd, but with University work and stuff, I couldn't finish xd. Sorry xd, but anyway, hope you enjoy it! :3

Credit to snowpetalchan for editing my story! :3