✨ The temperature of the tavern fluctuates, a heavy hot and cold colliding in a small space, the air thick with a contained, isolated storm.
✨ Kaeya's eyes are closed, lashes long over his cheek as he concentrates on subtly subduing the angry inner flame. Always moving in sync, rising to match him.
Collected and calculating in the wake of Diluc's fervor.
Because for all of Diluc's growth and jaded edges, at his core still lies his passion, flaring brightly in red and fire.
And for all the muddy history between them, Kaeya still steps in to catch him when his composure faltered.
Diluc's chest aches, aches so fond and so many feelings.
✨ Kaeya's expression skips from wary, to confused, to shock- all of it whirlpooling within his eye until he physically jolts as palms press to the sides of his face.
Hands cradle him like glass.
"Kaeya," Diluc begins, firm, stern, ablaze. "I refuse to be your judge or executioner, and I refuse to be your source of punishment any longer."
"Wh-"
"You do not deserve a lifelong punishment." Diluc's eyes trace the trail his fingers make along his cheek. "Whether you accept it or not, I forgive you. I've forgiven you for your lies, Kaeya." Snapping back up to meet blue, red swirls in thick sincerity. "Any debt or owe there's been, you've already paid thrice over. It is only me who owes you."
✨ But as the wind caresses night-sky hair like a kite tail, and a true sweet smile is sent his way with a temporary farewell on those lips, Diluc surges forward to claim that mouth that so spectacularly weaves his webs.
✨ It starts soft, testing the waters. Reconnecting after so long and tasting the time that's passed on their tongues.
Then it crescendos into two starving souls feasting on one another, dragging breaths straight from their lungs and transferring it midst the devouring of distance.
#kaeluc #quotes