Archive of Our Own

Thoma landed in Liyue Harbour after a tumultuous boat ride from Ritou, but his journey wasn’t quite done yet. The hike from Liyue to Mondstadt was still a voyage he had yet to make. Beidou, the captain of the Crux Fleet who had let him board in exchange he organized the crew’s barracks and cooked them dinner, pulled strings with Tianquan Ningguang and got him the fastest possible transportation to Mondstadt City. 

By the time the sun reached its peak in the sky, he was walking through the gates of the place he once called home. 

Before he could wander around and see anyone, there was one person he needed to see first. He dashed across the main square at a full sprint, past anyone who might have known him, and feeling like a young boy again, to his mother’s house. As he ascended one of Mondstadt’s many staircases, he could see his home in the distance, his childhood curtain still hung in the window overlooking the city, and he could almost smell his mom’s cooking from here. He stopped to catch his breath outside the front door before knocking innocently, like he wasn’t here to surprise her.

“ One moment! ” His mom called from inside, probably finishing a sentence or two in the novel she’s reading.

He could hear slowly approaching footsteps, she was probably expecting it to be a young adventurer or knight, and he had to stifle his boyish giggles. 

She opened the door quietly, and only once the door was fully open did she look to see who was standing there. Mother and son stared at each other, Thoma with elation and his mother with shock. He watched the tears well in her eyes, and he reached out to hug her. She hugged back with no hesitation.

“Oh my archons…” She squeezed him tighter, “You’re here. I’m not imagining this?”

Thoma laughed, forcing his own tears away, “You’re not imagining this.”

After spending time with his mom, filling her in on the life he’s made in Inazuma that he hasn’t already told her via sparse letters, he left to wander between shops, saying hello to old acquaintances and adults his mom was friends with from all those years ago. It surprised Thoma how many people remembered him, he thought that no one he knew from back then would recognize him, that maybe he looked way different than when he was a teenager, or that maybe his leaving happened so long ago that no one thought about him anymore, or simply forgot him. 

He reached the main square again and sat on the edge of the fountain, even that old thing hadn’t changed in all these years. He glanced around, reminiscing about his childhood and all the people he had left behind. He flipped a few mora into the fountain for some luck today, an old tradition he used to do with his friends.

“Thoma?” A woman's voice called rather quietly from behind him, like she couldn’t believe what she was seeing, and when he glanced over he found Jean Gunnhildr. Back when he left, she was still a knight in training. Though just from his quick look he can tell she’s a real knight of Favonius now.

“Jean?” Thoma turned his body this time, and took in the sight of one of the people he’s missed so dearly. Her hair is longer now, back then it was short and only grew to about her shoulders before she would cut it again, it used to be so choppy and uneven since she insisted on cutting it with her sword. Present-Jean had tied it in a neatly trimmed ponytail, and she still wore the cross earrings she loved so much. A sword sat in a sheath on her waist and he briefly wondered if it was the same sword she used as a teenager.

Before he had the chance to say much, she ran up and pulled Thoma into a hug, almost knocking them both into the fountain. She squeezed him, and he had forgotten how tight and loving her hugs could be. 

“We were all so worried about you!” Jean said, squeezing even harder, and he could hear the tears in her eyes.

Thoma laughed and squeezed back just as tight, “I sent all of you letters! Only Diluc got his, apparently, since I never got replies from anyone else.”

Jean finally let go, letting her hands rest on Thoma’s shoulders, and an apologetic look crossed her face. She sat comfortably beside Thoma and sighed, “A lot of… stuff happened after you left, I’m sorry I never tried reaching out.” 

Thoma laid a hand over one of hers that was still resting on his shoulder, “It’s okay Jean, don’t worry about it.” He smiles reassuringly, letting her know that it really was okay, “I’m back for now! I’m not staying forever, I do have a life back in Inazuma, but I’m here to spend my birthday with my mother… and Mondstadt in general.”

He stood and extended a hand out to her, “ Please, do show me around. You said a lot has happened since I left, yes?” 

Jean took his hand, laughing as she stood, “Lisa’s been telling me I need to take more breaks… maybe it’s time that I actually do.”

He raised an eyebrow, “Who’s Lisa?”

She smiled warmly as a blush seeped across her face, “My wife, I’ll introduce you two soon.”

Jean guided him around Mondstadt City, and introduced him to everyone he had never met before. A teenage boy named Razor, and his friends Fischl and Bennett. Looking at Razor, he saw the likeness of two childhood sweethearts he used to know…. But maybe that’s just his imagination. 

They ran into a little girl dressed in red, and Thoma smiled at her. She seemed energetic and excited, Jean looked like she was about to interrogate her.

“Well hello there!” He bent down to get on her level and stuck his hand out, “I’m Thoma, are you the Klee I’ve heard so much about?”

She took his hand and shook it with much enthusiasm, “Yes I am!!” She noticed Jean standing with him, her smile never faltering, “Oh! Hello Master Jean!” and then she ran off.

Thoma and Jean watched her run away, and Thoma laughed, “Was she worried you would put her in timeout?” He mostly meant that as a joke, but Jean’s sigh held his answer in it. His face neutralized in a flash, “You put her in timeout…?”

“When she mostly obliterates Mondstadt’s fish population? I kind of have to…”

Thoma laughed, and let Jean continue her tour.

She brought him to the Knights of Favonius headquarters, and introduced him to Lisa. They didn’t stay for very long, as it seemed she had a lot of overdue books to reshelve. Thoma thought she was nice. She seemed polite and relaxed, the kind of spouse Jean needed. She had always struggled with overworking herself, so maybe a wife like Lisa would help her realize that she needed breaks every now and then. 

They had turned to leave but Lisa spoke up before they could make it out the library door, “Jean…” she drawled, “I hope this is a break for you?”

Jean smiled, a light blush dusting her face as she turned to look at her wife, “Yes, it is. I’ve been repositioning any knights I come across to take over my patrol route.”

Lisa smiles, getting up from her desk and doing a giddy little skip to reach where they stood, kissing her wife’s cheek, “Good.”

Thoma and Jean turn to leave, his lighthearted teasing coming naturally. 

As soon as the library door is shut, Jean leads them to a door across it. 

“What's this?” Thoma tilted his head curiously.

“This is Kaeya's office.” Jean said mischievously, positioning Thoma so he was out of the door’s line of sight.

Jean knocked on the door gently, “Sir Kaeya? May I come in?” 

There was an affirming grunt from the other side and Jean opened the door, leaning on the frame. She didn’t say anything as she did, waiting for Kaeya to speak first.

“Yes, Jean?” Kaeya said as he noticed her silence, and he sounded tired. Bored, maybe.

Thoma could hear the smile in her tone, “I have a visitor I’d like you to meet.”

Kaeya sighed, “If it’s not Albedo, I don’t want to see them at the moment.” Thoma felt his heart drop.

Jean recovered quickly, “It’s better than Albedo.”

“Nothing could be better than my fiancé.” He heard a small chuckle, and then a betrayed gasp following quickly behind, “It’s not another Fatui diplomat is it? You know those aren’t my forte.”

Jean laughed, “It’s not a Fatui diplomat either. Please, just come over here and look.”

Thoma heard the sound of a chair scraping against the tile, and his heavy footfalls approaching. Jean motioned for Thoma to step closer and then stepped aside, letting what happened next take its course.

When Kaeya saw Thoma, he was quite literally tackled to the floor in a hug. 

Thoma and the Ragnvindr brothers had always been the closest. That’s not to say they all weren’t close with Jean, but she was often helping her sister and father at the Cathedral, so the boys spent many summer afternoons hanging out together. 

When Thoma was finally able to regain the air in his lungs, he laughed, “Missed me, did you?”

Kaeya smiled from above him, arms bracketed on either side of Thoma’s head. He still had that same eyepatch he always did, but he was wearing it now and not just carrying it. Thoma could see a scar peeking out from underneath it, and that made him falter. His hair was still the same midnight blue. The biggest change was that he now had a Cryo Vision adorning his waist. 

The scar that no one seems to talk about? The cryo vision? 

What had happened while he was away?

“Sir Kaeya,” Jean sighed, but a smile still sat on her lips, “are you done accosting Mondstadt’s esteemed guest?”

“Never!” Kaeya laughed, and Thoma missed that wonderful sound. His laugh, his real laugh that he saved for occasions such as this, had always been contagious. He once managed to make the grumpiest Mond citizen break into a smile.

“C’mon now Kaeya,” Thoma reached up and patted his cheeks, “You can’t keep me all to yourself.”

“You know how much I’d love that.” Kaeya smirked, fully intending to look stupid.

Thoma rolled his eyes and flicked the back of his head. He turned to face Jean, “I still haven’t seen Diluc! Where is he?”

“Depends,” Kaeya said as he rose from on top of Thoma, “What time is it, Jean?”

She shrugged, looking out the window behind her, “I believe it’s about 2pm.”

Kaeya offered his hand to Thoma so he could get up, “He should still be at the winery.” 

“The winery?” Thoma furrowed his brow, “The last time I spoke with him, he was the Cavalry Captain…”

He watched Jean and Kaeya share a sad glance, Kaeya’s filled with guilt and regret more than sadness. 

Kaeya placed his hand on Thoma’s shoulder, “We’ll fill you in on the way there.”

--

By the time Jean, Kaeya, and Thoma were approaching the winery, Thoma had barely processed all he had learned since he was gone. Master Crepus is dead? Diluc quit the knights, ran away for 3 years, and now he runs the tavern and winery? 

As those thoughts were still swarming his mind, Kaeya threw open the front doors of the winery’s mansion and started walking in. 

“Kaeya!” Thoma and Jean yelled in unison as they watched him saunter into the building like he owned it.

Kaeya ignored their protests, and instead laughed at them, “Come in! Listen, Diluc and I worked past our little…argument…”

“Master Kaeya, he almost killed you.” Adelinde said calmly as she passed by.

“Adelinde!” It was Kaeya's turn to stand there in shock. 

“ Master Kaeya .” Adelinde rolled her eyes with a small smile as she ushered everyone inside the home.

Thoma and Jean watched as Kaeya and Adelinde engaged in a small argument about what happened the night Master Crepus passed away.

“Kaeya.” The group went silent as a new voice was heard from the top of the staircase. Adelinde took this as her cue to make a swift exit.

“Oh! Hello Diluc!” Kaeya yelled and started waving emphatically.

Diluc leaned over the railing of the top floor, rubbing his eyes and yawning, “Kaeya, if you’re just here to bother me then please leave.” 

Thoma was stood in shock. Diluc looked much different compared to when they were teenagers. His hair was still long, and still bright red, but he was bigger now, his muscles were more defined and his jawline was thicker. 

He wasn’t awkwardly pretty anymore. He was handsome . 

Suddenly, Thoma’s face felt hot, and his heart rate picked up. He backed up closer to the front door to stay out of whatever argument might break out here. He remembered the lingering glances he gave Diluc back then, and that one moment they shared the day he left for Inazuma. The small kiss Diluc planted on his cheek just before Thoma boarded the boat was something he thought about more than he’d care to admit out loud. 

“I’m not here to ‘ bother you ’ as you say, I came with some visitors.” Kaeya grinned.

Thoma could hear the eyeroll, “I don’t see anyone but you and Jean.”

Kaeya looked between Diluc and Thoma, “Oh. Brother, you can’t see him can you?” he suddenly walked over and grabbed Thoma’s wrist, dragging him to the bottom of the stairs, “I told Adelinde that the chandelier was too big for the foyer.”

If Thoma’s heart rate wasn’t quick enough before, he was sure now that he was about to die of cardiac arrest, because now Diluc was staring at him, his eyes wide in shock- even blinking a couple times to make sure he wasn’t dreaming. Thoma even noticed his face start to color a shade of pink.

Diluc started descending the stairs slowly, “Thoma? I thought you were in Inazuma for good?”

Thoma smiled and felt Kaeya let go of his wrist, “Don’t make me into a liar, Master Diluc! You know better than anyone that I couldn’t completely stay away. I’m just here for my birthday.”

“Oh my Archons…” Diluc looked disappointed in himself, “I didn’t even realize your birthday was coming up. I would’ve sent a letter…”

Diluc reached the floor in front of him, and it was Thoma’s turn to envelop someone in an embrace. He felt Diluc tense before relaxing and placing his hands on Thoma’s hips. 

It was silent for a moment, Jean and Kaeya letting their friends meet each other again after so long. 

--

Kaeya, Jean, Diluc, and Thoma walked back to the city together after a few hours of conversation, catching up on things that had changed, and Thoma telling them about his own life back in Inazuma. They split ways after reaching the main square, and Thoma was ready to spend the first night back in his childhood home. His mother was ecstatic to have him visit after so long, she was glad to have him stay in his old childhood bedroom for the duration of his visit. 

Thoma opened the door to his room and smiled, “You made the bed for me?”

His mother laughed heartily from the other room, “Of course I did!”

He hugged his mother, not for the first time today. He missed his mother the most when he thought about Mondstadt. Ayato and Ayaka don’t know much about his home country, but they know almost everything about Loreley. They’ve been begging to meet her ever since Inazuma let its borders down. He’ll ask her about it soon. 

She sits him down at the table, and they chat as she makes dinner. 

Thoma rests his head on his fist as he watches her work, “Has anything new happened as of late? Jean and Kaeya didn’t mention much.”

His mother shrugs, “Some vigilante hero has been patrolling the city at night. Says the knights are incompetent fools.”

Thoma’s eyes widened, “How can you say that so casually?!”

She laughs, moving to serve up the Kartoffelknödel on plates. He missed Mondstadt’s food, and he definitely missed his mothers cooking. He shudders to think of the food Ayato has fed him… He thinks about cooking some traditional Mondstadt food for the Kamisato siblings, perhaps they’d like it. He’ll have to ask his mom for some recipe’s before he goes home.

She places the plate in front of him, and moves to sit across him at the table. 

Thoma smiles, ready to dig in. “Thank you for the food!”, it’s mostly out of habit from the time spent in Inazuma, but his mother pays no mind. When he was little, his parents taught him to do it out of respect for his father and his country.

She follows, “Thank you for the food!”

--

He fell asleep that night with his window wide open, listening to the sounds of drunkards laughing and cheers of eternal friendships. 

His dreams, much to his dismay, wouldn’t let him sleep so soundly. 

In his mind’s eye he was nothing more than a bystander watching the scene play out. He was sat in a pew, watching as Diluc and he stood in the Mondstadt cathedral. All his friends were there, not only Kaeya and Jean, but also the Kamisato siblings, Kazuha and Gorou. Even Her Excellency, Sangonomiya Kokomi, was there.

Diluc was dressed in formal clothing, a white suit and a purple rose pinned to his lapel. Thoma, himself, was dressed in a matching white suit but his rose was a soft baby blue. To his right stood Barbara, Jean’s little sister, but she looked older now. She was more grown-up, though it seemed she still took her Deaconess responsibilities very seriously. 

“Do you, Diluc Ragnvindr, take Thoma to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, in good times and bad, for richer or poorer, keeping yourself unto him for as long as you both shall live?”

Diluc looked into his eyes, and Thoma was sure he could see his soul. Thoma, the future Thoma, didn’t seem to mind as his gaze never faltered.

“I do.” Diluc said. 

Barbara turned to Future-Thoma and asked him the same thing. 

“I do.” Future Thoma said.

Before Thoma could see what came next, he felt the floor give out from underneath him. He fell for what felt like hours, and he landed cleanly on his feet. But now, instead of in the Mondstadt cathedral, he was standing on a boat. He still looked as young as he did during the wedding, but what was he doing on a boat?

“I don’t know, Kazuha,” Future-Thoma said, his poetic friend sitting beside him on the ships railing as they gazed out at the rolling waves, “We didn’t actually talk about… it. ”

“What are you so concerned about?” Future Kazuha said, hopping up to sit on the ship’s rail, “He married you, Thoma. I’m sure he can’t be crabby about it when his husband is returning from overseas to see him again.”

Future Thoma dragged his hands over his face and groaned, “I feel like a dumb little kid again, excited to see his schoolyard crush at recess.”

Present-Thoma was still confused, what did all of this mean? He ran over to Future Kazuha and tried tugging his sleeve, but his hand slipped right through him. 

All of this felt like déjà vu, and it made him sick to his stomach.

Thoma felt the floor give out again, and once more he was falling infinitely inside of his own dream, ‘Let me out of here!’ he yelled into the void, ‘Please!’

The void, as expected, did not respond. 

He landed again, and this time he was standing in the Dawn Winery’s mansion. Diluc and he were sitting on a couch, quietly gazing into the hearth they had burning in the fireplace. 

Diluc’s hair was grey, and his face had the wrinkles of someone who’d lived a long and meaningful life. Future-Thoma looked the same way. The couple didn’t say anything to each other, just held each other close. The mantle was decorated with photos and paintings. A painting of Diluc, Crepus, and Diluc’s mother sat front and center, and next to it was a photo of Kaeya and Diluc from that wedding scene from before. On the other side of the painting sat a photo of a young Diluc and Thoma holding a bundle of blankets. Present-Thoma approached it and with a stomach churning realization, he saw it was a baby. 

Thoma forced himself awake, he was covered in a cold sweat and he was panting like he just ran a marathon. A wedding? A baby? Growing old together? He felt like he could throw up. Those were fantasies he had as a teenager, when he had nothing else except the dandelion wine he was supposed to bring his father and the fleeting memory of Diluc’s kiss. 

Thoma looked up to the clock on the wall, if it was early enough he could justify staying awake. 11:39pm . He barely slept three hours. 

Maybe a walk would help? A walk in his hometown sounded amazing.

He slowly got up out of bed and put on a jacket. Slipping silently out of his home, and making his way down the main street of Mondstadt City, and right out the gates.

“Going somewhere, Thoma?” One of the knights on patrol asked him.

“Just a walk!” Thoma smiled, “I’ll be back before sunrise.”

“Stay safe out there.”

“Safety is my middle name.”

All Thoma wanted to do was calmly sit at the big tree in Windrise. As a kid, he always felt his calmest there. Even if Kaeya and Diluc were with him, and they were having an argument, he always felt at ease right at the base of the tree. 

He sat down next to the Statue of the Seven, and stared up at the stars. If you wanted to, you could see every constellation imaginable at this time of year. Thoma closed his eyes for just a moment, to let the ever-present wind ring in his ears, and when he opened them again, in front of him stood a trio of Cryo Abyss Mages. 

This, understandably, was a problem.

He could summon his polearm, but it’d be useless against their shields because he left his Vision back at his mom’s house. 

As he was scanning the area for a chance to escape, he saw a figure come dashing toward him. He figured this was death coming to take him right here in Windrise, but instead it was a figure dressed in black. Their bright red hair tied back in a high ponytail, and a pyro claymore raised and ready to fight. 

He watched helplessly as the person slaughtered the Abyss Mages with ease, and when they were done, they turned to Thoma. 

“What are you doing out at this time of night? It’s dangerous.” The person said. They had a white mask covering the top half of their face, but Thoma could still see their piercing red eyes. 

“I needed some air.” Thoma sighed as he stood, “Thank you for saving me. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to make my way back home before my mother wakes up and starts to worry.”

Thoma started to walk away and leave this person in the dust. Was this the vigilante hero his mother mentioned? He thought the idea was stupid, since when did Mondstadt need a vigilante hero? They had the knights, they weren’t incompetent, and the city was just fine. 

“Hey!” The person grabbed his shoulder and spun him around, “I’m not letting you leave here alone. Let me escort you back to the city.”

Thoma rolled his eyes, “Then let's get going.” 

Before Thoma could say anything else, he was suddenly scooped up by the other person, and was now being carried bridal style back to the Mondstadt gates.

Thoma sighed in annoyance, wiggling in an attempt to get put down, “Is this entirely necessary?”

“It’s easier than having you lag behind me while we walk.” The person said, keeping their gaze ahead and grip secure.

Thoma scoffed, “Excuse me?”

“You heard me perfectly fine.”

Thoma almost wanted to put up more of a fight, but the longer he looked at this person, the more he started to realize who it actually was. The bright red hair, the defined muscles, the jawline, the voice, the eyes, the lips. 

This was Diluc. 

Diluc Ragnvindr saved him from Abyss Mages, and is now carrying him bridal style back to Mondstadt.

Thoma felt like he was going to combust.

They fell silent as Diluc walked, and it seemed like Thoma didn’t weigh more than a feather to him. That wasn’t comforting, but it wasn’t very embarrassing either.

As soon as they reached the beginning of the bridge, Diluc slowly let Thoma down to the ground. 

“Thank you for saving me,” Thoma said, a smirk graced his lips, and he figured he could be a bit ballsy tonight, “Diluc.”

Thoma leaned over, and planted a kiss right on Diluc’s cheek, and before he could protest, Thoma walked away. He was a thief in the night, escaping Windrise alive and going to sleep that night knowing he finally repaid the kiss Diluc gave him all those years ago.

--

The next day, Thoma knew he needed to thank Diluc properly. He had to do it fast, since his mother had managed to plan a party for his birthday tonight. She had even managed to contact the Kamisato’s and they were on their way already. Even with the borders up now, he still wasn’t sure how she did that.

Thoma slipped on his shoes, getting ready to make the walk to Dawn Winery for the second time in two days, “I’m going to the Winery, mother!” He called, his mom was still cleaning up from breakfast, “I’ll be back before the party!”

His mom exited the kitchen, coming to see him off on his quick trip, “What do you need at the Winery?”

Thoma flushed, “I need to…talk to Diluc.”

His mother smiled, handing him his jacket, “It doesn’t have anything to do with your feelings , does it?”

Thoma’s jaw fell open, “How did you know? You didn’t read my journal while I was away, did you…?”

His mother laughed, “Well I did , sorry sweetheart. But this time call it a mother’s intuition.”

Thoma sighed, and he resigned to allow this to happen. He slipped on his jacket and moved to open the front door.

“Thoma.” His mother called from behind him. He wordlessly turned, and she smiled at him, “Don’t let him slip through your fingers this time.”

He knew what that meant, but he didn’t know how to make it a reality.

The walk to the Winery felt shorter than before, and he had no idea if that was a good or bad thing. 

Thoma knocked on the door, and waited for it to be opened for him. Unlike Kaeya, he had mastered the art of patience. 

Adelinde opened the door and smiled when she saw him, “Oh, hello again Thoma.” 

“Hello Adelinde.” He smiled back, she was always so kind to him, “I know I was just here yesterday, but I was hoping I could speak to Master Diluc?”

She nodded and waved him inside, “He’s reviewing shipping receipts in his father’s study, so please forgive him if it takes a moment. Have a seat by the fire while you wait.”

Thoma bowed his head in thanks, and walked inside behind her. She forked off into the study, and he walked straight to the fireplace. 

It was very easy to assess the kind of life Diluc lived based on how he decorated his foyer. On his mantle sat a small, framed photo of Crepus, Kaeya, and Diluc on one of their beach vacations. Next to the photo, sat a grave marker. Across the foyer, he saw a vase that was completely out of place in the rest of the mansion. It was covered in bright colors, and Thoma wondered how that thing came into Diluc’s possession.

He wasn’t left much time to ponder though, as Diluc then emerged from his study, and smiled when he saw Thoma waiting for him

“Hello Thoma, happy birthday.” 

Thoma rubbed the back of his neck, “Thank you, but that’s not what I’m here for.”

Diluc looked genuinely confused, “Then what are you here for?”

Thoma sighed, and then took a deep breath, “I wanted to thank you, properly, for saving me last night Master Diluc.”

It was silent for a moment, and then the silence was replaced with laughter. Diluc’s laughter.

“Dear Barbatos, Thoma, you’re really funny.” Diluc laughed some more, and now it was Thoma’s turn to be confused. “Firstly, you don’t have to thank me, and secondly, you can drop the ‘Master’.”

“It’s just formality!” Thoma was blushing, out of embarrassment or not, he wasn’t sure.

“Formalities are for strangers or acquaintances, not close friends.” Diluc shrugged, “That’s how I see it, anyway.”

Thoma sighed, but he couldn’t suppress the smile on his face, “Anyway, that’s all I came for.” He sighed and they both stared at each other for a moment. The tension was so thick it could be sliced with a knife. He opened his mouth, ready to tell Diluc his feelings in what felt like word vomit- or real vomit? He wasn’t sure. He closed his mouth and swallowed back whatever threatened to leave it. “I should be heading back now, before my mother thinks I was attacked by hilichurls.”

Thoma started to walk away, but Diluc grabbed his wrist before he could leave. Diluc was always a man of surprises, and this moment was no different. 

Diluc’s voice came out so small that Thoma almost didn’t hear it, “Don’t go yet?” 

Thoma smiled, “Of course.”

They sat and talked about everything and nothing at the same time. It was like no time had passed at all, like they were still sixteen and nothing bad had happened yet. Every so often his gaze would drift back to the grave marker on the mantle, and it would dawn on him that he had missed so much . 

“You have a party to get to, don’t you?” Diluc commented as he watched the midday sun pass by through a window.

“Did my mother also send you an invite?” Thoma chuckled.

Diluc smiled, “Well of course, I mean she did rent out the Angel’s Share for the occasion.”

Thoma laughed and looked out the window himself, realizing he had stayed far past his welcome, and was probably worrying his mother.

“I should probably be going now.” He looked to Diluc apologetically, like he wanted to stay and didn't have the time.

Diluc sighed, “Alright then, if you must .” He stood and extended a hand out to Thoma, “Before you go though, let me give you a birthday gift.”

Thoma took his hand and stood, wondering briefly what the gift could be. Diluc reached up then with his free hand, taking Thoma’s chin with his thumb and pointer finger. He moved slowly, giving Thoma time to back away or say no. Thoma found he didn’t want to say no. 

Before Thoma had time to think, he was kissing Diluc Ragnvindr, just like he always dreamed. Sometimes, on nights Thoma tried not to have often, he would think about what Diluc’s lips would feel like on his own. Would they be soft? Warm?

Diluc’s lips were a bit dry, but the warmth behind them was palpable. It may have been his Pyro Vision, but he might never know. He could feel the passion behind the kiss Diluc gave him, like he had pent it up for years. Thoma couldn’t exactly blame him, not when his own feelings had been pushed aside or shoved deep down since he left Mondstadt. 

Diluc, the one to initiate the kiss, was also the first one to pull away. His cheeks were flushed and his pupils were wider than before. Thoma wanted to giggle at the sight. 

“Good gift?” Diluc sounded out of breath. 

Thoma could do nothing but nod. 

They stood there staring at each other, personal space no longer an issue that separated them.

Thoma smiled, “Kiss me again?” 

Diluc obliged, guiding him back down to the couch and kissing him so deeply Thoma forgot to breathe. He pulled away just as fast as when he started, and Thoma wasn’t about to let that happen. 

He firmly grabbed Diluc’s shirt, “I’ve waited years for this,” Thoma huffed, “You’re not ending this yet.”

Diluc started to laugh, and Thoma could see the blush darken on his face. He didn’t get to cherish that view before he pulled Diluc back in for another kiss. This one is much more fierce, and they both put their all into it. They kissed each other like they wouldn’t get to ever again after this. 

Their moment was cut short, however, when the mansion’s front door opened unexpectedly. There stood Sir Kaeya Alberich, his jaw dropped in shock and eyes opened wider than they knew possible. He turned his head and covered his face to give them a mockery of privacy. 

“Well finally!” Kaeya said after a long moment of silence and Thoma and Diluc staring at each other, “Congratulations you two. Unfortunately, I do have to break this up. Birthday Boy over there has a party to attend at the Angel’s Share.”

Thoma forgot he had been gone that long.

Diluc sighed, and very reluctantly let Thoma stand from his position on the couch, “I’ll see you there, Thoma. I’m bartending tonight.”

Thoma smiled wide, and placed a kiss on Diluc’s nose, “Can’t wait.”