#{{ he is so little brother coded; I'm going to throw myself off a cliff }}

[frozenambiguity]

continued from here. | @protectivemuses

Some traits are hard to erase. Those that derive from childhood are no exception.

One needs only be attentive to notice them. One can sense how the captain’s disposition changes on sunny days if blessed with such a skill. How his shoulders relax and his steps become carefree when in the heart of the city, bustling with familiar voices. How his laughter mixes with the sound of waves, seagulls, and water splashing as he runs and plays with Klee near the seashore. How his gaze twinkles as he searches for the most beautiful of shells. How he acts in specific ways, sometimes surprisingly docile, other times incredibly petty, to get precisely what he wants. How he becomes shy when he is at the center of attention. How he yearns for warmth and simplicity.

Or how he pouts when a particular wound is bothering him.

Adelinde and the rest of the servants call him the Winery’s sun. Truly, it takes so little for him to shine. Some would be surprised.

Although Kaeya has learned to remain in the shadows, oh, how he sometimes longs for the light. So, when a familiar redhead approaches him, face stern yet concealing genuine care, he begins to shine. There is disbelief, at first. A shy smile threatens to be drawn. And, at last, a hand is weakly extended. An act of hesitant obedience, which ends all too soon once he opens his mouth, offering a teasing retort of his own.

«Why? Scared I would bleed out and dirty your precious counters, Master Diluc?~» Kaeya knows the redhead is trying to take care of him, in his own awkward, messy way. Kaeya can only hope Diluc knows this is his way of saying Thanks.

They do not need to voice feelings for them to be understood.

Has it not always been like this between them?

«Don't you worry about that. I am a man of principle, you know? I wouldn't want to scare your customers away or have Angel's Share fail a health inspection. Although...» A knowing look on his features. «A cool wound under such a punk rock glove would add character now, wouldn't it?» Conversation for the sake of conversation. Perhaps it seems meaningless, the topic of debate silly. But how long... How long has it been since they last interacted like this?