The Dawn Winery stood cloaked in the velvet hush of late evening, its sprawling vineyards silent under a canopy of stars. Inside the grand estate, the air was warm with the scent of aged oak and grape must, but in the intimate sanctuary of Diluc and Kaeya’s bedroom, a different kind of heat simmered. The fireplace cast a golden glow across the room, its crackling embers the only sound save for the soft creak of the floorboards as Diluc pushed open the door.
He was a vision of rugged exhaustion, his crimson hair slightly tousled from the day’s labor, his broad shoulders slumping as he shrugged off his heavy coat. The muscles in his arms flexed with the movement, a testament to hours spent hauling barrels and tending to the winery’s endless demands. But his amber eyes, sharp and smoldering, betrayed the restless energy buzzing beneath his fatigue. They flicked immediately to the bed, where Kaeya lounged like a king awaiting tribute.
Kaeya was a sight to unravel any man’s composure. His silk robe, a deep sapphire that matched the glint in his singular visible eye, hung loosely from his frame, the fabric slipping off one shoulder to reveal the rich, dark expanse of his skin. Post-pregnancy had softened him in the most tantalizing ways—his hips wider, his thighs and rear fuller, the curves of his body a map of new territory Diluc ached to explore. Faint stretch marks wove silver threads across his abdomen, and his chest, heavy with milk, strained against the robe’s delicate tie. He lay propped on one elbow, a glass of wine dangling lazily from his fingers, his gaze locked on Diluc with a predator’s amusement.
“Well, well, the mighty vintner returns,” Kaeya drawled, his voice a low, honeyed taunt as he swirled the crimson liquid in his glass. “I was beginning to think you’d taken a lover in the vineyards. Should I be jealous of a particularly seductive grapevine?”
Diluc’s lips twitched into a smirk as he tossed his coat over a chair, his boots thudding against the floor as he kicked them off. “If I had, it’d be less trouble than you, that’s for certain. You’ve got a sharper tongue than any thorn.”
Kaeya’s laughter was a sultry ripple, his eye glinting with mischief. “Oh, darling, you’ve no idea how sharp I can be. But I see that look in your eyes—you’re practically drooling. What’s caught your attention, hmm? Is it the wine… or something a bit more vintage?”
He shifted deliberately, letting the robe slip further down his shoulder, exposing more of the lush curve of his chest. Diluc’s breath hitched, his hands pausing at the buttons of his shirt as his gaze raked over Kaeya’s form. The air between them thickened, charged with unspoken want.
“You’re insufferable,” Diluc muttered, though his voice was rough with something far from irritation. He took a step closer, unable to resist the pull, his shirt half-unbuttoned to reveal the hard planes of his chest. “Do you ever stop playing games?”
Kaeya set the wine glass on the bedside table with a deliberate clink, his movements slow and calculated. “Only when I’ve won,” he purred, sitting up slightly, the robe pooling around his waist to reveal the full swell of his hips. “And right now, I’d say I’ve got you exactly where I want you. Look at you, Diluc—barely holding it together. Pathetic. I thought you were made of sterner stuff.”
Diluc’s jaw clenched, a muscle ticking as he fought the urge to close the distance entirely. “Careful, Kaeya. Keep pushing, and I might not hold back at all.”
“Oh, I’m counting on it,” Kaeya shot back, his voice dripping with challenge. He swung his legs over the side of the bed, the silk sliding up to reveal the smooth expanse of his thighs. “But let’s not pretend you’re in charge here. You’ve been staring at me like a starving man since you walked in. So why don’t you stop pretending and come closer? Or are you too tired from playing lord of the manor all day?”
Diluc’s eyes darkened, a low growl rumbling in his throat as he took another step forward, stopping just out of reach. “You’re asking for trouble, you know that?”
Kaeya tilted his head, his smirk wicked. “I’m not asking, love. I’m demanding. Now, be a good boy and kneel. I’ve had a long day of my own, and I deserve a little… devotion. Don’t you think?”
The command hung in the air, sharp and unyielding, and Diluc felt it like a physical pull. His pride warred with the heat pooling in his veins, but the sight of Kaeya—confident, commanding, utterly in control—undid him. Slowly, deliberately, he lowered himself to one knee before the bed, his gaze never leaving Kaeya’s face.
“That’s better,” Kaeya murmured, his tone softening just enough to carry a dangerous edge of approval. He leaned forward, reaching out to tilt Diluc’s chin up with a single finger, forcing their eyes to meet. “Look at you, all obedient for once. I should tease you more often if this is the result. Tell me, Diluc, what’s going through that stubborn head of yours right now? And don’t lie—I’ll know.”
Diluc’s hands clenched into fists at his sides, his voice low and strained. “I’m thinking about how much I want to wipe that smug look off your face… and how much I want to worship every inch of you until you can’t speak at all.”
Kaeya’s smirk widened, his thumb brushing over Diluc’s lower lip with a maddening lightness. “Bold words for a man on his knees. But I like the sound of that second part. Why don’t we start there? Show me just how devoted you can be, and maybe—just maybe—I’ll let you have what you’re so obviously craving.”
His hand slid from Diluc’s chin to the back of his neck, pulling him closer until their faces were mere inches apart. The scent of Kaeya—wine, silk, and something uniquely his—filled Diluc’s senses, and his restraint frayed further. But Kaeya held the reins, his grip firm, his gaze unyielding.
“Not yet,” Kaeya whispered, his breath hot against Diluc’s lips. “You don’t get to rush this. I’ve waited all day for you to come home, and I intend to savor every moment. So, behave, and let me enjoy this… or I’ll make you wait even longer.”
Diluc’s eyes flashed with frustration, but the fire in them burned hotter for it. “You’re a tyrant,” he muttered, though there was no real venom in the words.
“And you love it,” Kaeya countered, his voice a velvet blade. “Now, let’s see how well you follow orders. Start with my hand—kiss it like you mean it. Show me you’re worth my time tonight.”
He extended his hand, long fingers splayed with an air of regal expectation. Diluc hesitated for only a heartbeat before taking it, his calloused palm rough against Kaeya’s softer skin. He pressed his lips to the back of Kaeya’s hand, lingering just long enough to feel the slight tremor beneath the surface—a crack in Kaeya’s otherwise impenetrable control.
“Good,” Kaeya breathed, his voice a mix of command and something softer, something hungry. “Keep going. I want to feel that fire of yours, Diluc. Don’t hold back on me now.”
The tension between them coiled tighter, a slow burn promising to ignite. The night stretched ahead, full of unspoken promises and the sharp, delicious edge of Kaeya’s dominance. For now, Diluc surrendered to the game, knowing full well that every touch, every word, was only the beginning of a dance they both craved.
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