Without another word, he leaps off of the balcony and takes the other with him. Once they arrive at their destination - Angel'

Without another word, he leaps off of the balcony and takes the other with him.

Once they arrive at their destination - Angel’s Share - a short moment later, its owner puts the tanned man down and takes off his disguises before walking in, gesturing for Kaeya to follow.

Which, he does, though growing even more curious as to why the redhead brought him here.

His thoughts didn’t get to wander as he hears the sound of pouring liquid, turning to see a glass of wine on the counter.

“Eh?”

Okay this is definitely wrong, Diluc doesn’t like alcohol one bit and now he’s pouring a glass??

“… Don’t just stare at me like that.”

The other rolls his eyes.

“Take a seat, it’s yours.”

Oh.

So it’s for him.

Humming, the man walks over and chuckles as he settles down.

“Say… why this all of a sudden?”

“If you’re smart, figure it out yourself.”

The former Cavalry Captain responds, cleaning a few glasses left by counter.

“Haven’t you always been so proud of your wits?”

“Right, right.”

He snorts, then takes a sip of alcohol.

“Ah… it’s my favorite.”

At this, he glances over at the current bartender.

“You did this on purpose, didn’t you?”

And the redhead only hums, not responding.

The silence isn’t horrible, however, as Kaeya quickly manages to get a hang of it and grins.

“Thank you for the unspoken birthday wish.”

It takes a while, then Diluc finally replies.

“Well, that’s the least I can do.”

Putting a clean glass back into its place, he moves out of the counter.

“If I can’t celebrate it with you in their party, I can only say it in person.”

Before the other gets to say anything in return, he wraps his arm around the man from behind.

Despite the noticable flinch of shock, he hums and murmurs.

“Thanks for protecting Mondstadt.”

He means every word, from the bottom of his heart.

Because somewhere in there, he’s still the Diluc the Cavalry Captain once knew.

“Happy birthday, Kaeya.”

“And so it goes, a birthday for Mond’s icy rose.”

The bard hums, playing on his lyre in his usual spot by the large tree within Windrise.

“A tale of honesty and affection, of doubts and reconcilation.”