[ Guess who is appearing in your place, Kaeya. Since he mentions leaving the door unlocked, he's just going to walk inside. He doesn't look around, instead he stands in the doorway. ]
Kaeya.
[ There's none of the typical tease in his tone. It's just -- a call for his attention. ]
[His voice was muffled since he had his face in a pillow, face down and trying to figure out if what happened the other day actually happened. He dressed in a loose shirt and pants, making it clear he never got out of bed since waking up.
There was a very familiar red streak of hair cutting through the dark blue of his hair, all the way down the rat tail.]
[ He says it again as he navigates to the bedroom and steps inside. That streak of hair stands out and he won't call it out, not yet. But he'll approach the bed and sit down beside Kaeya. ]
[Kaeya finally shifted to lay on his side, flopping back down and sighing heavily. He shrugged. The area around the corner of his mouth was heavily bruised and his lips were scabbed from where they’d split.]
I’m not feeling bad, if that’s what you’re asking. And before you ask, Diluc didn’t hit me. This was just an unfortunate incident down in the lower markets.
[ He brushes his fingers over his hair, sighing deeply. He wouldn't have thought Diluc would have hit Kaeya, anyway. From what he could discern from what he had witnessed, the fists would have thrown instead of the shouting, anyway. ]
Do you? You don't have to tell me anything, but if you want to - you can.
[He laughed self-deprecatingly. He quietly took Venti’s hand and tugged him over. He wasn’t sure why but the sudden need to hold him was strong. He shoved the covers down a little bit to let Venti in.]
He’s willing to give me a chance. He even stayed for dinner. I’m having a hard time believing it’s real.
[His hair also began to glow teal at the tips, not quite overshadowing the streak of red but it certainly seemed to compliment it as much as teal, red, and blue could.]
[ Guess who's gonna crawl right into his sheets and start to snuggle up. He reaches up, a hand pressed to Kaeya's cheek. Kaeya will notice the cool metal touch his cheek when Venti does. ]
I'm glad. That's a lot already, isn't it?
[ He lets out a soft, airy laugh. ]
I tried to talk to him already but it didn't well - it didn't go anywhere.
[ He looks confused for a moment - oh yeah, ring. It's new and he forgets and it's easy for him to not think about it. ]
Oh! [ Oh, that's it. ] No, I'm not getting married. The are kizuna powered and help us find each other if needed. I mean, I am dating someone, but I wouldn't be here if it wasn't okay.
[ There's an easy laugh at that because of the immediate concern. Venti, on the other hand, doesn't even consider the possibility that Xiao could get upset with him over this. He lets out an easy, happy sigh. ]
I'll let him have his space. I made him pretty mad.
[ Big Chaotic Energy. ]
For the record, I'm not here because of him, though. I'm here because of you.
He is. He's from Teyvat, too, actually. I don't think you've met yet.
[ Note to self later. Right now, it's about Kaeya and that's why he's here. There's a soft, amused sound when Kaeya kisses his knuckles. He brings his hands up and gently strokes the other's hair, attention focused on him as he lays there comfortably. ]
Resigned to not getting that? It seems like a pretty big...step.
As well connected as I am, there are going to be those I don’t know or have yet to meet. Especially with how fascinating Teyvat can be.
[A Yaksha was definitely right up that alley, not that Kaeya knew about Xiao or his like.
He sighed softly, shrugged in that careless way again.]
I’m not one to give up, but I also know how stubborn Diluc could be. If I was going to spend the rest of my days poking the bear and hoping Diluc didn’t change his mind about ratting me out then… ahh, seems I never told you why we went from brothers to enemies, have I?
[ Venti wanted them all to get along. The boyfriend he cared for and the friends and people from home. He couldn't guarantee that they would, but he wanted to be optimistic all the same. He moves his hand to Kaeya's face, brushing bangs out of the way, letting out a soft sigh. ]
You didn't. But -- I never asked, I guess. I always tried to be very hands-off, but I see you guys as my friends, not just... my people. I guess.
[ Is that even the proper way. ]
And I think as friends, if you want to share, I'm happy to hear it.
I’ve kept it under wraps for so long, it’s a… bit tricky to suddenly willingly share. Last time I did… well, you know.
[He absently rubbed his eye beneath the patch.]
It’ll have to be abridged. Some of this is actually not my story to tell.
[He waited a few more moments, gathering his thoughts and settling a bit more. He also looked quite nervous at this point.]
I’m not just from Khaenri’ah. I was… planted in Mondstadt. I had a mission, I am… was? the last hope for our people. Being taken in by the Ragvindr’s wasn’t exactly by chance but they never knew. All these years and I heard nothing from my father or anyone, not since he left me on the side of the road. So, I grew up and learned how much I really loved the people of Mondstadt.
When… when our father died, I couldn’t keep the secret inside anymore. I needed to tell Diluc, he deserved to know. Our father’s death, as selfish as it was for me to think, was a relief because I was able to finally make the choice. I just made the mistake of telling Diluc not too long after… ah, well not too long after Crepus’ death. I knew he would be angry and upset but I essentially added betrayal to the mix.
[He couldn’t talk about the Knighr’s cover up, because he would have to tell more that he didn’t have the right to tell. He sighed, rolling onto his back and rubbing his forehead.]
Diluc has kept the secret all this time and he was the only one I told. I don’t believe I have to tell you that nothing about this can leave this room, right?
[ Venti shifts in close, draping one arm over Kaeya's chest when he rolls onto his back. He listened intently. He understood more now than he ever had. He had knowledge about who Kaeya was and where he was from, but that's not surprising. He remembers when Khaenri'ah fell those years ago. It's a long passed memory, but one all the same. Despite that, he had never really been suspicious of Kaeya's intention. The man --
seemed to love Mondstadt. ]
I know you're from Khhaenri'ah, but I've always saw you as one of mine.
[ Which is a way to say it, and he wonders if it is the right way to say it. But it's been said now, and he won't go back on it. Because, of anything he can think of, it's the most accurate way for him to describe how he feels about Kaeya's presence in Mondstadt. He's never really seen him as... anything but a person who loved his city of freedom. ]
Kaeya - I won't say a word. I promise.
[ He lifts a hand, brushing his thumb over the eyepatch. ]
[Kaeya tilted his face into Venti's hand, although he did look a little apprehensive at the touch to his eyepatch. It was a softer kind, easier to sleep with. One would think he wouldn't sleep with it on but surprises happen and he didn't want to be caught off guard without it.]
Thank you. I'm happy to hear that, Venti.
[Not just the keeping secrets but that Venti didn't seem to mind what he just heard. At the very least, he seemed to believe him when he said he loved the place he grew up in. He knew one day his past would come back, he wasn't foolish enough to completely let it go. But for now, he could cherish what he had.
He didn't push Venti's hand away.]
And that's why Diluc and I had been at odds since he returned. And why I'm having trouble believing that this is happening.
[ Kaeya is one of his. One of the people he cares about and wants to be safe. One of the people that, despite his desire to be hands off and let his people have freedom, he couldn't help but desire their safety. His fingers trace over Kaeya's face, soft and gently, settled over the soft fabric of his eyepatch. ]
Did I wake you up when I texted?
[ He sighs. ]
You guys being at odds is so normal. When you start getting along better, you'll stun us all.
[Kaeya didn’t try to push Venti’s hand away. It wasn’t something he wanted to show but he also couldn’t really tell himself that Venti didn’t deserve to see it. After all, it was his and his fellow archons who helped in the fall of his home. He didn’t even think of this in a malicious sense, he just never quite knew what the archons, new and old, thought now of the small amount of people left behind in the wake of the destruction, those Kaeya himself called sinners. It was a very matter of fact thought, but all the same, he conflicted and the confict stayed his hand.]
I didn’t sleep all that much to be honest. Cleaned myself up and then decided the bed was awfully inviting still.
[ He doesn't blame the other. Truth being what it was, he hasn't forgotten what had happened, but he still - Khhaenri'ah was a tricky subject for him. And of his old friends, only Morax was still here. But he wasn't sure it mattered, it wasn't something that they talked about, anyway. He doesn't bring it up, though. Kaeya made his choice - Mondstadt. And that's what matters to Venti.
Kaeya is one of his. ]
I'm confident because you're both good men who have handled something tough already. You did good! It makes me happy.
[ Because he wants the people he cares about to be happy. ]
You guys had the freedom and you made a choice only you could make.
[Kaeya heaved a heavy sigh and turned back onto his side only to press his face into Venti's chest, snaking his arms around the thin waist to hold close. Needless to say, he didn't feel like a good man. The last few days, the tattoos, it's all taken a bit of a toll on him.
Not to mention that, as the reality sank in, Kaeya realized he was utterly terrified. Not just of failing this promise he made, but of the future as well. It wasn't so much if his secret got out, Diluc and Venti would have to tell or perhaps another archon who was there that day would have to see him or what if one of those 'sinners' show up and he finally has to act on his mission?
[ He wrapped his arm's around Kaeya's head and held the other against his chest. The gesture itself is small, but clearly the other man needs some comfort and Venti is here and fine with offering it. His fingers start brushing through the hair on the back of the other's head, stroking gently. ]
I can't imagine it does. But - it's working out. Celebrate the small victories, Kaeya!
[ He sounds...almost cheerful. Almost. Not quite the same high energy you expect from Venti at the mention of a celebration. ]
Don't be so hard on yourself, too.
[ He thinks Kaeya is well loved by the people of Mondstadt. There's no reason for him to think of himself as anything less. Venti fully relaxes, cuddling up against Kaeya feels nice. ]
[Kaeya hadn't really expected to let this get to him as much as it had, but it was a huge step in his relationship with Diluc. It had been in shambles before but now... now they were willing to pick the pieces back up. It was as exciting as it was frightening.
He heaved a sigh and then placed a kiss on Venti's neck, right at the junction between his neck and shoulders.]
Thank you for checking on me. I think I needed this.
[ His fingers brush delicately through those blue strands in Kaeya's hair. His own hair taking on light blue shades where it's normally that bright green. It is bright, almost glowing. He's pretty relaxed and happy here. Honestly, as much as he's tried to let his people make their own choices - including their mistakes, there's some who he will always have a special bond with. Among them is Kaeya. He can't imagine himself not checking in. ]
Of course. You're my friend, Kaeya.
[ Just like that - that simple. ]
Next time I catch you I'm just going to use wind to knock you both over though.
[He purred softly at the fingers in his hair, he sighed happily and nuzzled against Venti deeper. This felt divine, a perfect place to probably nap too. He didn't get much sleep but he also didn't want to force Venti to stay with him just so he could watch him sleep.
So, he remained awake. He snorted softly in laughter.]
Knocking us on our asses probably won't solve the problem, you know. As funny as that would be.
Of course it won't solve it. But when people get randomly tossed, they tend to be surprised enough to refocus
[ Or - He giggles at the thought. ]
Or they get the wind knocked out of them and they can't talk, which if you can't talk, you can't fight.
[ He brushed his fingers over the side of Kaeya's head, thumb brushing over that eyepatch again. He wonders if it's comfortable. He wonders a lot about this eyepatch, but he's trying not to push too hard right now so he doesn't ask, even if he wants to. He'll continue brushing his fingers through Kaeya's hair and then -- ]
[He has worn it for so long that it honestly is barely noticeable these days. He has one of the day and one for sleeping. While he really had no reason to wear one at night, there was always those what if scenarios that ran through his anxious mind. So, the one he had one now was of a softer material. It wasn't quite as comfortable as the one from home, as he had to request another one to be made and find a place willing to do such an odd request (and eyepatch to sleep with?).
He didn't push Venti's hand away. He wasn't quite ready to reveal that much just yet, as much as he did trust Venti. It was a part of himself that generally always remained hidden. Although he suspected for a long while that his father knew exactly what was under the eyepatch and knew exactly who and what he was. But Kaeya never had any proof and Crepus only showed unconditional love toward him, so it wasn't something he outright tried to uncover on his own and now... well, he never would be able to.
He sighed softly, hiding his face again in Venti's chest. As funny as the image was from Venti's suggestion, the anxiety in his stomach was still going strong and the safe feeling he got being in Venti's arms was not lost on him.]
Because you have this great long hair that would look amazing in a braid.
[ As if to emphasize, from where he is, he moves his fingers over the long strands of hair on the back of Kaeya's head. He lets the man stay tucked against him for as long as he wants. If he can bring a small bit of comfort here? Well, he'll do it. So he'll continue to joke and play with the things he says. ]
And don't you want over two-thousand years of experience braiding your hair? You can trust me to make it look great.
Hmm... I'm not sure how two thousand years of experiences will make it look any different than when Klee does it.
[He pulled his face back to lift up one of Venti's, pretending to scrutinize it. And yes, he did just imply that he regularly lets Klee play with his hair.]
[ His eyes light up bright, and Kaeya may notice the blue tint that seems to overtake them when he answers. He smiles into that small kiss on that pouted lip and sighs. ]
That means you're going to have to roll over.
[ Not that this is the first time Kaeya has heard Venti say that. ]
[No, it wasn't, and it made him laugh. His eye closed as he kissed Venti again. Then, instead of rolling over, he unwound his arms and pushed himself up with a soft groan so he could sit up and stretch.]
It might be best if I'm upright, but also, I can see your cute face as you braid my hair.
[He patted the bed in front of him, brushing his hair over his shoulder. Hm, it might need to be brushed first.]
[ He thinks he can play innocent as he shifts to sit up and his eyes move to Kaeya's hair. True, he does like the idea of sitting like this, facing the other. And it could be nice to bond. He reaches up a hand to move a few fingers through the strands of hair.
Yeah, it might need a brush. ]
I have to assume you have a brush for your amazing hair, Kaeya. If you tell me where it is I'll get it for you.
[Kaeya pointed to a small dresser at the side of the bed, smirking widely at being told he has amazing hair. He did do his best with it, even if the rat tail was unusual even for the style itself. He used to have a normal ponytail as a child, perhaps he should go back to that but ah, that would just look odd growing out and he didn't relish cutting it all off and starting over.]
If only I didn't have to brush my hair... but I suppose I have it easier compared to Diluc. Hair color swapping aside, I'm thankful this bond isn't messing with the texture.
[ Of course he liked to hear nice things from someone he enjoyed. It made him get butterflies in his stomach that wouldn't stop fluttering. He hummed as he shifted to the edge of the bed and stood up. He made his way to the dresser so he could get the sought after hair brush. He plopped up on the bed - exactly where he was before.
He folds his legs one over the other and takes a moment to look at the other. The vibrant blues settled in his own features - from his hair to joining the green in his eyes to form some sort of ombre. Interestingly, and newly, were peacock feathers that sat at the top of his braids, forming what almost looked like two small head wings. He doesn't notice them, not yet.
He reaches for that hair of Kaeya's, and starts to gently brush it. ]
Diluc has that fluffy, cloud-like hair. It's blessed to touch and cursed to manage.
[Kaeya reached over as soon as Venti returned just so he could pinch those cheeks.]
Adorable.
[Kaeya laughed and then gently stroked those braids, thumbs lightly stroking the feathers with a considering hum. Even with the few tangles, it always felt nice to have his hair brushed.]
These are new. [He snorted softly.] Why do you think it’s in a ponytail all the time?
[ He grins. He doesn't seem to mind the cheek getting pinched. He's comfortable across from Kaeya. He can tease him, talk honestly and earnestly, and just -- he feels himself here. There's no need for him to be on his guard or wary. No reason to be afraid. It's just -- it's easy. And having someone that's easy to be around is a must-have. ]
It's because of you.
[ He has to assume, though he can't see the features themselves. He moved the brush through Kaeya's hair slowly. He's careful if and when he encounters a tangle. He treats Kaeya's hair delicately. ]
I don't blame him.
[ Not even a little. He supposes, for a moment, he could do it if he really wanted to. But he's pretty fond of how he looks. ]
Your hair is pretty soft, Kaeya. Like...it feels good between my fingers.
[He laughed, letting his hands drop to his lap as his hair was taken and the brush slowly being worked through his hair.]
This kizuna continues to amaze me, I must say.
[He was a little surprised at the compliment. To be honest, he didn't do anything in particular to his hair aside from keeping it clean and making sure to brush it. It was naturally a bit wavy, but easy enough to manage compared to his brother's and it certainly didn't get everywhere.]
Does it now? I suppose that's one good thing about my lineage. My hair feels good even to the god, Barbatos~!
[He wasn't really trying to deflect, he just wasn't entirely sure what to make of the compliment either. Then again, Klee also really liked to play with his hair so perhaps it was just as innocent as it sounded.]
[ He smiles, fingers moving over the pieces of hair. The hair is certainly neatly brushed, but since he's enjoying this, he just keeps it up - for a few more moments. ]
Bonds get new and interesting in how they change. I feel like...the more time I spend with someone, the more they evolve. New things are good.
[ His hands pause in Kaeya's hair. ]
It means we're closer, I think.
[ Finally, he sets the brush down and he divides the hair into three even parts. ]
[He glanced down at his hair, the brush sliding through it. It was tri-colored at the moment, due to his bond with Diluc and Venti. Both were within range of some capacity, as though his hair was now a proximity sensor. Although, it never stayed Venti's color for very long and yet with Diluc...]
I guess so. It would explain a few things, at any rate.
[It was surreal to think that he was close with Venti, that he had formed bonds like this with Aether and Diluc as well. Kaeya was known for being someone that everyone seemed to love and admire and yet he kept everyone at arm's length. He treated everyone kindly, he could be a bit arrogant and reckless, but he got the job done and he did his job well. Mondstadt really liked him but it was near impossible to get close to him. The only person who had that privilege had disowned him four years prior.
But even that bond was returning. He placed his elbow on his knee, cheek in hand as he continued watch Venti's fingers work masterfully.]
[ The three colors make him smile. He can probably draw some conclusions as to why there's red in the other's hair, too. He won't say it out loud, but it is nice for him to see, too. He's glad that two of his most important people seem to be doing better. He starts to work through the hair, braiding it slowly. It's more about the conversation right now, anyway. ]
I like the bonds I have here. I'm connected to Teyvat, but I wouldn't change what I have here.
[ His attention lifted up to Kaeya. ]
I have you, Diluc, Jean... I have my oldest friend, Zhongli, here. I have Xiao here. Oh - he's the one who has the other ring in this set. He's from Liyue, too.
I don't think I could have what I have here at home.
[It was a fair answer, although Kaeya wasn't sure himself. He fiddled with the hair brush now that Venti was not using it as he listened.]
I agree. I'm... not so sure Diluc and I would have proposed a truce had we still been home. Or maybe it would have just taken longer, I don't know. I can't say I don't want it though, considering my hair would just out the lie before I even tried.
[It was with a wry smile that he said this. He sighed softly, leaning his chin on his hand, probably his elbow on a folded knee.]
I'm just not sure about these bonds as a whole though, there's a lot we don't know about them.
They're tricky and I can't say I know a lot yet. But it's nice sometimes.
[ He moves delicately as he braids the other's hair. Enjoying the feel of it under his finger tips. He feels...good with Kaeya because the other makes him happy. He's special to Venti, and he likes that he barely has to say a word to say it, too. ]
Especially...when someone is hard to read. Or understand.
[ Like Xiao. Like Diluc. Like Zhongli sometimes, too. ]
To see the effect I have on someone so clearly...it speaks of a truth that words sometimes can't tell me. I think you and Diluc would have gotten there in time. Just...all it would take is time.
[Kaeya gave Venti a smile though as the other continued to braid down his hair. He understood what Venti meant. Diluc couldn't deny their bond anymore because of how visible it was. It allowed for things to start when it likely would have taken a bit more time.
He just wasn't sure he appreciated the speed yet. It all seemed to move so fast!]
I like our bond. Yours and mine. It's... been a very long time since I could feel like myself around someone. No pretenses, no façades, no lies... it feels almost foreign to me.
[It scared him as much as it excited him, but he had to temper himself nonetheless. It was only around Venti right now that he acted like this. Even his bond with Aether didn't allow this much just yet.]
Is it because you know that no matter what - I'll love you? I mean --
[ He's getting towards the end of Kaeya's hair, and he starts to move his hands slowly, only half-focused on the braid he's working on. Instead, his attention is on Kaeya's face. He's watching him - the way he expresses himself. The way he responds to everything he says -- without needing the words. ]
I tend to love in the most wholesome way one can as a god. I love my people wholly, no matter who they are or what they've done. Because they are my people. Because they are human and I love humans.
[ He pauses his hands. ]
But I love you as a person. As my friend. It's not just because you're my people or a human. It's because you're Kaeya. I love you because you're Kaeya.
[Kaeya said softly, turning his head slightly to gaze out the window for the moment. He listened to Venti's words, but he supposed he would never truly understand them. Love was a complicated thing and people reacted to it differently. Moreover, Venti was a god and a god's mind was different than a human's, at the end of the day.]
But I'm glad you do. It's comforting. I rather like Mondstadt, after all. It wouldn't do if its god didn't at least like me back.
[ He supposes what he said was reassuring enough, so he just utters the word back quietly. Maybe is better than no he supposes. But only by a slim margin. He's right to know that how Venti thinks probably is nothing like that of a mortal. He can pretend to be a human, and is even good at being one now, but he's never actually been one. ]
Well, that's never a concern you'll have to have. I can't think of a reason I'd dislike you. Ever. Unless you steal one of my drinks from me.
Oh, is that a challenge. Maybe I will now, just to see how long that grudge of yours would last. Could you really resist this face?
[He made sure to put on his finest smoulder pout that, when he was younger, had much of the Ragnvindr staff give in to his requests (usually for more sweets, to be honest).]
[ He leans in to kiss that pouty lip and laughs a little bit. ]
Hm - probably.
[ He's teasing, of course. He probably couldn't resist Kaeya's face if the other pouted at him and looked as adorable as he does now. Especially if he was sincerely doing it.]
I'd put my best foot forward. Ah - I'm done, by the way.
[Unlike with the others, when he reaches out to Kaeya, it's with a certain sense of uneasiness. Just as Kaeya doesn't know everything about Aether, so too does Aether not know everything about Kaeya. And since remembering his travels with Dain and finding his sister -- and now, finding her here in Nippon -- things have only gotten more complicated. It's not like he didn't make the connection between Kaeya's eyes and those of Dain.]
[But he can't just ignore all of this. Kaeya means too much to him for that -- perhaps more so now than back in Teyvat. He'll just have to hope that this is the right choice.]
Kaeya, are you free right now? I'm a little late, but I did promise I'd tell you everything, didn't I? Can we meet somewhere private?
Oh? Another date, I see. I suppose second dates are apt for telling some of one’s history.
I’ll see you there.
[Of course he’s going to try and keep it lighthearted even as he is now feeling quite anxious. He had only ever told someone the truth once before and that ended incredibly poorly. He hoped the same didn’t happen here.
Still, he knows of the park Aether is talking about. He lived in Kyoto so it took a little bit of time for him to arrive but arrive he did. He raised a hand in greeting.]
[Okay he can't let himself get schmoopy here. Even if, maybe, some little part of him is hoping that their connection will at least be enough to shield Lumine.]
[After all-- he has no idea how Kaeya will react to what he's learned of her back in Teyvat. And as much as he'd like to just push it all away and pretend it never happened and never will happen, it wouldn't feel right to hide it from Kaeya.]
[When Kaeya arrives, he'll find Aether sitting peacefully on the grass, gaze pointed at the stars. And when he sees Kaeya, he smiles -- his hair immediately fading to an icy blue at the ends.]
Hey, yourself. Sorry to make you come out all this way.
It's alright, if it gets too late I'm sure I can find a place to stay until morning.
[Kaeya wasn't exactly fond of the five hour train ride but aside from meeting in the middle somewhere or making Aether come all the way to Kyoto, there wasn't much choice. Besides, he could always just browse the Markets or something to pass the time before the next train out.
Well, depending on how long this conversation will be. They had a lot to tell. So, he sat down and leaned back on his hands. The rat tail faded to blond at the tips, the ombre reaching about halfway.]
So, did something happen to suddenly remind you of this? I admit, I almost forgot myself.
[Kaeya's setting himself up to be invited to a sleepover after all this--]
It's not like I forgot. It's just-- there's a lot. So I was trying to think of the best way to approach it, but... things have changed a little.
[There's a smile on his face, as he turns and looks at Kaeya -- his heart doing a little flutter in his chest when he sees the blond strands woven through the end of his hair.]
[Kaeya can agree to that. There was a lot they needed to discuss. Kaeya was already a bit nervous about what he was going to have to reveal. It was easy with Venti, the god had been there when Khaenri'ah fell. He also knew about Kaeya instantly, due to the tell tale diamond pupil that only the Khaenri'ahns had. But with Aether... well, it depended on how much he already knew.]
Oh? Looks like your search is over, then, I'm glad!
[He reached out and ruffled that blond hair of his, pleased at the icy blue appearing at the braided tip.]
[Meanwhile, Aether's hair decides to sparkle when Kaeya ruffles it--]
I'd love to introduce you to her. She and I are pretty similar, so I'm sure you'll get along.
[Not that this is really what he came to talk about. Maybe he has been stalling, worried about what he might learn, or perhaps worried about what Kaeya might think. After all, even now, those words spoken to him in his soul can't help but linger in the back of his mind sometimes -- even if the reality of that particular situation had been rather different from what Kaeya saw.]
[His smile wanes then, as he turns his gaze up towards the sky. Somehow, it always felt easier to talk when sitting beneath the stars like this.]
But... she's part of the reason I knew I had to talk to you as soon as possible.
[...]
Because she might be able to tell that you're from Khaenri'ah when she meets you.
[He heard the 'but' before Aether even said it. Kaeya let his hand fall a bit from Aether's hair, resting his chin in hand, propped up by his knee. He wasn't sure what to expect, but it was a bit off for Aether to already not want them to meet.
Did he do something wrong?
...
Ah.
So, it was that. Of all things, Kaeya honestly hadn't expected that. He couldn't help the soft sigh and this time, his hand did leave Aether's hair completely to rest on the ground beside them. He leaned back, resting both hands on the grass.
The blond was also beginning to recede a little from his hair.]
And just what does my unfortunate heritage have to do with your sister, Aether?
[While he knew he promised he would explain himself to Aether about Khaenri'ah, there was something cold about his tone of voice that he hadn't planned to have now there was another variable in the mix. Venti knew what he was from the very beginning and Diluc also knew, but kept his secret despite their previous animosity. Those who knew or already knew, had their reasons for knowing.
Aether's sister did not (as far as he was aware, anyway) and he wasn't sure what to do about that.]
[Aether doesn't move when Kaeya pulls away, as if wanting to ensure he has all the room to do so if he pleases. If he were to be honest with himself, this isn't how he wanted things to go at all. All he wanted was to tell Kaeya the truth about himself. To finally be honest with someone about his origins, without them simply figuring it out on their own.
[But with the new memories he's received since their promise to talk, it just felt wrong not to tell him everything. Even if telling him everything might break what trust he's managed to earn thus far.]
Right now, she's missing memories of Teyvat. Of everything that happened after we were separated. I still don't know what happened to her in that time either, but...
[...]
Whatever happened... led her to become the Princess that's currently leading the Abyss Order.
[While there had been talk of the Abyss Order having some kind of leader, they seemed a lot more organized as of late after all, the knowledge that it would be Aether's own sister was certainly not what he expected to hear.
However, it sort of slotted things into place for Kaeya.
He opened his mouth to speak, and then thought better of it. Instead, he leaned forward to cross his arms and tap his chin in thought. It would be best he organized his thoughts first because that was definitely a hell of a bombshell to drop.
But it did, possibly, maybe, explain one thing. It could very well be why he had heard practically nothing from his father or anyone from his family since he'd been planted with the Ragnvindrs. Was it because they had found Aether's sister and found she could do better what he was supposedly destined to do? Being the "last hope", as his father put it. He clicked his tongue with a scowl.]
Well, that certainly explains a lot. [He sighed, running a hand through his hair.] I suppose it's my turn and to give you context. But I need to be very clear, Aether. What I tell you here stays between us, only two others know and the fewer people that know, the better. Do you understand?
[Something about that is almost immediately alarming. Had there been clues leading up to this? Did Kaeya already know about Dain? About the connection between Khaerni'ah and the Abyss Order?]
[He's not expecting Kaeya to ask to switch off, but-- he'll hear him out. And so, he nods.]
I won't tell anyone about what we talk about tonight. And... I'd hope you'd offer me the same.
[Where to begin. It was easier with Venti, who had already known who Kaeya was just by looking at him. Hell, this felt easier with Diluc despite what the aftermath was. He shook his head.]
As you already surmised, I am from Khaenri'ah. One of the few remaining from that place, although I have no idea how many remain now. The rest have long since become a part of the Abyss Order, likely through the curse that helped destroy the last dynasty. [Now came the tough part... he sighed heavily, clearing his thoughts.] I was planted in Mondstadt. The Ragnvindrs found me and raised me as one of their own, but it was no accident that they found a lost little boy in the woods. My father left me there as "the last hope" of Khaenri'ah. To infiltrate Mondstadt in order to help bring revenge for what happened during the cataclysm.
And no, Diluc and his father didn't know at the time. Diluc's father sadly never knew, I only told Diluc after our father passed and, as you can now guess, it's why we were at each other's throats.
I never heard from my actual father or anyone from Khaenri'ah since I was put in Mondstadt and eventually came to love and protect Mondstadt as if I were a native of the place. [He leaned back on his hands again, looking up at the starry night sky.] And I suppose in the end, it didn't matter. I'd heard that something had renewed the Abyss Order's vigor for revenge. I just never knew what and it wasn't like they were willing to tell me despite my obvious Khaenri'ahn looks. Considering I'm part of the Knights, it's likely they think I've turned traitor to them. If your sister is somehow leading them, then yes, it does explain a few things. Not everything, but...
[He turned to Aether, eyebrows raised in question and a small shrug.]
So, now you know. I'm a traitor to two nations and in the end, I'll have a choice to make now that your sister is apparently moving forward with whatever plans the Order has. Whenever it comes to fruition, anyway. [He laughed humorlessly.] I'll understand if you don't trust me anymore. Diluc certainly doesn't, although I appreciate that he hasn't told Jean and the others and if you don't mind, I'd like to keep it that way.
[It's not at all what he expected to hear, but then, he wasn't sure what he was expecting in the first place.]
[But while it answers some questions he's long had about just why a rift exists between Kaeya and Diluc, at least to some extent, it only spawns further questions. Kaeya, left in Mondstadt as Khaenri'ah's last hope... but then, what was the Abyss Order doing? What of Lumine's plans to fight destiny? Or of the mechanized God, that's seemingly been in the works for decades, if not longer? What kind of "hope" could they have, with a plan like that?]
[Could there be two factions working for different causes? ]
[It feels like too much to wrap his brain around right now. But maybe, with everything out in the open, they might just figure things out, at least a little.]
...why wouldn't I trust you, when you're trusting me with all of this?
[The thought doesn't even cross his mind. It would take a lot to shake the trust that Aether has in Kaeya. Surely if he had any ill-intentions towards him, he would have taken advantage of that while diving into his soul. For all that it was hardly a positive experience, in the end, it did leave a positive impression.]
But there's a part of the story that you're missing. Because there's no way my sister joined the Abyss Order recently.
It's possible... she's been with them from the very start.
[He appreciated the answer, although it surprised him little. A part of Kaeya had been afraid Aether would renounce their friendship, of course. He wasn’t that arrogant. But given that Aether seemed to befriend all sorts, he supposed it stood to reason Kaeya was no exception.
Nonetheless, there was a warmth in his chest at the answer and the blond ombre returned to his hair, sliding upward and fading midway.
He let out a self-deprecating laugh.]
Diluc didn’t once I told him, although there were other extenuating circumstances at play, I’ll admit. But I couldn’t really blame him, I expected the anger.
[But there were plenty other things he didn’t expect and it wasn’t his story to tell. He already said enough in regards to Diluc, anything more would overstep his place.
He listened to Aether’s reasoning to why Kaeya was wrong in his theory and he let out a thoughtful hum. It wasn’t that he disagreed with Aether, he certainly didn’t know enough or as much as he would like to even be able to say that. It was merely a calculation based on the Order’s recent movements. That being said…]
[From the start... perhaps that would have been the logical starting point in all of this. But figuring out what to say, knowing it's possible Kaeya may not entirely believe him, just made it all more complicated. Nevermind the fact that he's only ever really explained all of it a handful of times.]
...you already know part of the story, from when you were in my soul. My sister and I aren't from Teyvat, or... even the same world. Before that, we'd visited countless worlds together, traveling through the skies like a pair of shooting stars.
[A metaphor that may be more literal than anything.]
I don't know how much time Lumine spent on Teyvat before she woke me up. But my first memories were of her pulling me out of the meteorite we arrived in, and... telling me that the gods destroyed Khaenri'ah and threw the world into chaos. And that we had to leave.
[Which answers why Lumine might recognize Kaeya's heritage -- as she may very well have been there during Khaenri'ah's height, as well as during its destruction.]
[So they hadn’t arrived when Khaenri’ah fell, the arrived before. But only his sister had apparently witnessed the place in its glory and its fall. If that was the case, then he supposed he could understand why she would be made their princess and de facto leader.
With the fall of the Dynasty, there was no ruler anymore. So, they would need a new one. But what about Aether’s sister made her be the prime candidate? Actually, the fact that she wasn’t originally Khaenri’ahn would easily mean she can’t fall to the curse so he supposed that would make the answer obvious. But there had to be more to it than that, not all of the Abyss Order were mindless monsters.
Kaeya shook his head and took a deep breath.]
That’s certainly a lot to think about. But if she’s firmly on the side of Khaenri’ah, then what threat would my being Khaenri’ahn pose? Being part of the Knights aside.
I wouldn't call it a threat. But-- like I said, she's missing part of her memory. The last thing she remembers is... what happened after that.
When we tried to leave, but were stopped by a god who called herself the "sustainer of heavenly principles".
[The powerful being who appeared for only an instant at the end of his dive into Aether's soul. With a title like that, just who could it be?]
I was captured and sealed away. I lost all of my original powers, and... spent the next 500 years trapped in a nightmare. But Lumine... I don't know what happened to her. But whatever happened changed her enough to where... when we finally did meet again on Teyvat, she didn't even look happy to see me.
[The way he so quickly glosses over what he was subjected to in that time isn't unintentional. Because for him, none of it compares to how much it hurt to finally find Lumine, only to be brushed off.]
[He's been holding himself together so far, but this-- this causes a tremble to his voice, as his hands tighten into fists.]
I don't want her to remember any of it. Maybe it's not the right thing to do, to keep it from her, but I... I can't lose her again.
[Kaeya chanced shifting closer to Aether and gently pulling him in. He sighed heavily, not entirely sure how to answer that. Yes, he remembered odd looking woman in the soul dive, although he didn't know who that was. He did remember that her eyes were much like his own but as Khaenri'ah had no god, he didn't think there was much of a connection. At least, he had nothing to go off of right now and it was the least of his concern right now.]
I once said, during the lowest point of my life, that Teyvat was truly fascinating. And I didn't mean that in a good way.
[Regardless of where his allegiance lied, one thing was still pretty clear. Khaenri'ah's fall was an incredible tragedy that should not have happened. Perhaps it would have fallen on its own due to Gold and her Khemia, but with the gods intervening as well...
There was just a lot to unpack there and even he didn't know the complete story given how young he was when he learned of it. The rest of his days having been filled with much more happiness than he could have ever hoped for once he was taken in to the Ragnvindrs.]
[It says a lot that the moment he's given the chance, he leans into Kaeya, allowing himself a deep breath to calm down. This is something he's worried about ever since he finally convinced himself that Lumine was, in fact, really here. It took about a day to accept that he wasn't just dreaming.]
[But to think this happiness could still be ripped away from him someday, like waking from a dream... he doesn't know if his heart could handle that.]
I'm not asking you to avoid her. I don't think that would be possible anyway. And-- I don't want to lose you, either.
[Since realistically, taking Lumine somewhere far away in the land of Nippon where he'd never see his friends from Teyvat again is really the only means he'd have of ensuring she'd never remember. But just the thought of that is too sad to seriously consider.]
Just... I don't know if she ever would, but if she ever asks... if her memories ever start coming back... don't say anything about it to her. Not about Khaenri'ah, or the Abyss Order, or... anything they're involved with.
The only reason I remembered finding her on Teyvat at all is because I was talking about her with someone. And the memories just suddenly came back to me, as if I had gone and come back from Teyvat and experienced all that lost time in an instant. If that happened to her... I wouldn't even know what to expect.
Aether, I wouldn't have told you if I hadn't gone into your soul and revealed what I did. Lumine won't be told simply because I can't trust her enough to give her that privilege.
[He said it matter of fact, it was the truth. He may have been accused a lying a lot in his life, especially when that in itself was a truth, but he knew went to be honest. When it benefited him rather than hindered him. It may hurt Aether's feelings to know that Kaeya would have continued on with his secret for some time yet, but it was to also give context.
Aether didn't need to ask him to not talk about Khaenri'ah or the Abyss Order because he generally wouldn't.]
[Kaeya let his own hand rest back on the ground behind him, leaning back. The motion had been enough to tell Kaeya what Aether likely felt now. So, he kept his hands to himself and didn't make another move.
The truth hurt and this is why he rarely told it. Either he hurt himself or he hurt others. He hated this, but what Aether was saying was something that he couldn't let Aether believe.]
You can't. And it will be much worse for you if she finds out you intentionally tried to keep it from her.
...so what should I do? Tell her everything-- and risk forcing her to remember 500 years of loneliness and pain?
[The words are-- half-hearted. It's not like he disagrees with Kaeya, after all.]
If the end result is going to be losing her either way... then I'd rather it be while protecting her from something painful. Even if it means lying to her.
[Because he truly didn't know. Kaeya had the same predicament not four years ago when Crepus died and he decided to come clean to his brother. What he did had consequences. He could have continued on with the lie, only to be found out later and disowned by Diluc or come clean and get disowned by Diluc. Despite their recent truce, Kaeya wasn't sure if the result would have been any different had he waited until Diluc had enough time to grieve.
Aether was going to have to figure out when and if he can tell Lumine.]
But it sounds like you've made your decision. Just be prepared for the inevitable. Besides, the secret your keeping is not quite like mine, I'm sure she'll understand.
[Kaeya didn't need to look to see that his own had gone back to the normal deep blue. So much for a date, even if he had been half-joking about that.
He nodded, but he didn't rise from his spot. He lifted his hand in a wave, a smile on his face that didn't reach his eyes and was at fake as all could be. His usual mask for a time like this.]
See you.
[If he was certain a bar was still open, Kaeya would probably go get himself a drink or three. As it were, he stayed where he was.]
[As Aether makes his way back, boarding the train back to where he's been temporarily staying with Lumine, he plays their conversation in his head over and over again, trying to figure out when it went wrong. It was the very start, wasn't it? When Aether said he already knew of Kaeya's heritage. Or was it when he mentioned Lumine's missing memories? Or maybe the conversation was just doomed from the start?]
[Maybe he should have never opened up about himself at all--]
[The pain that surges through his chest is so sudden and so painful, that he doesn't even realize that he was screaming. It felt like his heart was being torn in half, and in an instant, he's flat on his back as concerned passengers circle around him to ask if he's okay. But just as quickly as it struck, it was over. And all Aether was left with was a distinct emptiness in heart.]
[Ah... he knows this feeling. That's twice now he's severed a bond in Nippon. He really wasn't very good at this, was he?]
[He picks himself and dusts off his clothes. And then quietly makes his return to their room, falling into bed and into a dead sleep.]
[Kaeya hadn't yet moved from his spot still. Instead, he had taken to lying down on the grass and looking up at the stars. The train ride was going to suck going back, so he would probably just need to find an inn that was still open. Maybe he could crash at Venti's dorm?
He sighed, his mind still wandering back to the conversation instead of the intended distraction he wanted. This was the very reason he hated telling the truth. Someone always got hurt. Usually himself, but this time it was Aether and--
Kaeya abruptly curled up, clutching his chest as the pain struck him hard with a sharp cry. But, it seemed to end almost as soon as it began, leaving a horrible emptiness behind.
He didn't understand what had happened, as this was the first time a bond had broken with him. But he had a feeling it had to do with Aether. He carefully uncurled himself, flopping back onto the grass. The stars blurred as tears welled up as well and he cursed.
He had a call to make, he wasn't going to be able to go back home like this.]
I won't be home tonight. Just letting you know in case you were concerned.
[Since he knows that Kaeya is aware of when he's home as much as he's aware of when Kaeya is... and he doubts the man has actually quit keeping tabs on him regardless.]
More like asleep than concerned but thanks for letting me know.
I appreciate it.
[He does keep track of Diluc a lot of the time, but even he knows late nights happen. One evening wasn’t a concern usually, as long as Diluc was actually home by morning.
But still, it was actually really thoughtful of Diluc to let him know.]
But no, I'm working over in Tokyo as a favour. The owner of one of the bars I'm employed at is short-staffed in his second location just for tonight and he's going to owe me after this.
It's going to take me five hours to get out there, so I'll find somewhere to stay over night and come back tomorrow.
No, Kaeya, I just need to find a place and it's a lot easier to do that when the sun is up and not right after all the bars close. Are you still half asleep?
[Wait, really? He couldn’t help but squint at the device.
But he also knew if he really didn’t hurry Diluc would leave on whatever ridiculous schedule he got himself on today. So, he managed to get dressed quickly in something casual and easy before heading on over to Diluc’s that was all of a two second walk or so.
He was yawning even as he knocked.]
I still don’t get why you think it’ll take you that long to find a place to stay overnight.
[Diluc opens the door to let Kaeya in and immediately retreats back to the kitchen, where the smell of seasoned eggs and frying steak is concentrated around the stove.]
I'm not sure if this is going to be too much for you so I'll explain it slowly. It's going to take me over five hours to get there, so I expect to arrive in the early afternoon. [He pauses a moment to flip the steak.]
I don't know the area that well, so I'll need to find somewhere that isn't entirely disreputable and leave my things there, then get ready and get to work at five, until beyond midnight. I don't want to have to rush.
[Kaeya rolled his eyes behind Diluc for that comment. But he sat at the table and rested his chin in his hand while he listened. He glanced at the clock as well and huffed only slightly.]
If you leave right after breakfast, it would still be morning when you get there but fine. Whatever you say.
[He still thought it was a bit overkill. Wasn't there going to be some morning rush as well with all the people leaving to go to work and stuff too? Not he figured a lot of people went to Tokyo and vice versa to work but still.]
Hope you're being paid double for all this trouble.
[Sometimes a favour can be worth more than actual payment, depending on whom owes said favour. Diluc doesn't mind having one of his employers owe him for something, because he already has a plan of exactly how he's going to use it. The dandelion wine is going to have to make a start somewhere, after all, isn't it?
He casts a quick glance Kaeya's way and then moves to pull down two plates and glasses.]
I have orange juice, if that's fine. Otherwise it's water or tea.
And you know exactly what you want out of this "favor", don't you?
[Kaeya could already see it. It was the second time Diluc mentioned it. It stood to reason that Diluc was already formulating what he wanted out of it and likely when to cash in on it. Smart man.]
[He picks up his knife and fork and digs in to his breakfast, not waiting on ceremony for Kaeya to decide he wants to begin. Diluc is far more than simply a passable cook, so he knows the food will be good.]
Don't worry. When I have some ready, you'll be the first to know.
[He chuckled, taking his own bite of the food and humming in delight. Diluc was always an excellent cook, due in more part to Adelinde he was certain. They always did bug her to learn to cook.]
I had thought it was too soon for the wine to be ready. I'm glad to hear that though.
[And not just because it was wine. As uneasy as this truce was, there were some things Kaeya was always going to enjoy. He just hadn't gotten to experience even simply having breakfast with him in several years.]
Mm. I'm still trying to source some of the ingredients.
[He falls silent for a minute while he eats, then slows thoughtfully and sits back in his chair as he swallows a mouthful of food.]
It's funny... I never cared to involve myself much in the day to day of the winery, yet now I'm here... [Diluc trails off, then shakes his head and sits up straight again.]
Maybe, but it's not like you have a whole staff either. It makes sense.
[It wasn't like Kaeya had been any better. For all the time he spent at the winery, there wasn't much he knew about running one. He knew some just by osmosis but he knew he likely would not have been successful at all had he been there to run things while Diluc was gone.
Honestly, the staff was just that good.]
For what it's worth, I'm sure it'll come out great.
[Diluc really did owe the smooth running of the winery in his abscence to Elzer, without whom the place would have certainly fallen while the Ragnvindr heir was gone. It was only thinks to him and Jean that Diluc was able to keep himself mostly set apart from the day to day running of the winery to focus on the intelligence network he had been part of since his return.
And to focus on the protection of Mondstadt.
He smiles faintly, not looking up.]
Thank you, Kaeya. As promised, you'll be the first to know.
[Everything feels normal again. The lingering aches and phantom pains of what had happened are gone and Diluc is contentedly working, though not with as many hours as he had been before he had fallen ill because of it. Thus it's a night when he's at home and asleep at what some might even call a decent hour when a bright flash (which he doesn't see) precedes a loud, rolling rumble across the sky that draws him reluctantly back into wakefulness.
It had been raining when he'd fallen asleep and already showing signs of a storm, but such things rarely bothered him. He shuts his eyes and makes an attempt at going back to sleep, to no avail as another rumble disturbs him.
He lies there quietly for a few long moments before a thought occurs to him.]
Mnf. [Diluc mutters to himself, quite elegantly, before blindly reaching for the device set beside the bed. He squints at the screen and then taps out a message, sending it only a few apartments down the hall.]
[Kaeya has been awake the entire time. He could always tell when the rains were going to be just rain and when it was going to turn into something much fiercer. It was something he unconsciously learned and he hated it. He wished he could just sleep through the damn things, but it was never going to happen.
So, he stayed huddled under the blankets, an unfinished cup of tea beside him on the tatami mat, and his device that suddenly lit up. He hadn't been at all surprised who texted him, but he was surprised as to why.]
[He's unsurprised when Kaeya messages him back, but he is a little (concerned?) curious about how quickly he replies. Though he does make some consideration to going back to sleep, another flash of lightning streaks across the sky and the noise that follows it has him groaning in irritation as he pushes himself up and out of bed.]
No chance of that with this noise.
[The text goes back over as he pulls on a robe and goes to the kitchen with the full intention of making himself a drink. Maybe he'll sit out the worst of it with a book and go back to sleep when the sky has stopped being so damned loud.]
[He was already mildly irritated but most of all, he was anxious and nervous. He dealt with these feeling before during the storms in Mondstadt, he could do it here. Although he wished a surge would go through and the weather would just suddenly clear up. Wishful thinking.
He jumped as that thunder rolled again, body beginning to shake lightly as his heart rate continued to stay up. He hated this.]
[He considers leaving it there. He almost does. But... something still bothers him. Though he continues making the tea he can't let the thought go, and a couple of minutes later he picks the magi-comm device up again.]
I'd like if you'd come over anyway.
[And he taps his thumbs idly to either side of the small keyboard, drawing his lower lip in between his teeth before he adds-]
[He was so tempted to call Diluc out for being scared or something equally dumb as a joke but he also had the foresight to realize it could easily turned back on him given he had a very real fear of thunderstorms due to their fight four years ago. He sighed. He didn’t really enjoy the thought of leaving his little cocoon either but Diluc…
There was something about him lately that had him just following through with whatever was going on. Similar to how he got clingy around Venti and had, once upon a time, acted far more intimately around Aether despite his usual MO keep everyone at arm’s length.]
Fine. Since you asked so nicely.
Give me a few minutes.
[Because the mental preparation for wandering around an empty hallway with a storm going on in a place that wasn’t quite as cozy as his home in Mondstadt was a lot. But he managed, not bothering to change out of his sleeping clothes but putting on a pair of sandals. He made sure his Vision was at his waist and his eyepatch was on before finally heading over. He was gripping his sleeves without even realizing it.]
[They'd done so well to go a while now without arguing and this would have been a very stupid thing to argue about... but he doesn't exactly expect Kaeya to just agree either. He's not sure what's going on with him these days when it comes to the other man, but he just... likes being around him. More than he has done in a long time.
He does wait a few minutes, and then opens the door out into the hallway to look down towards Kaeya's place. And-- ah, there he is.]
Hey.
[The redhead hadn't bothered too much to make himself look presentable - his hair is down and falling around his shoulders in thick, blue-streaked curls, he's barefoot and in loose long pants and an open robe. Kaeya has seen him looking worse, but he's rarely seen Kaeya looking so much like he wants to disappear.
It doesn't take a genius to see that he doesn't look at all like himself. Diluc frowns very slightly and looks him up and down, and then he holds a hand out to him.]
[He was inside a hallway so there was no real fear of the storm itself but that didn’t stop the irrational part of his brain yelling at him to go back home and get into the blankets until morning. He almost didn’t even realize he made it to Diluc’s apartment down the hall until he saw the hand out.
Kaeya looked up and found Diluc frowning at him. This suddenly felt like a bad idea but he was rooted in place. The past month and a half with Diluc had just been so tumultuous and weird and exciting but Kaeya felt very out of sorts nonetheless. And yet, he finally let go of one sleeve and placed his hand in Diluc’s.
He wasn’t going to bite the hand this time.
His grip suddenly tightened when he flinched rather harder, the lightning and thunder crashing nearly simultaneously and his heart was in his throat, shoulders up to his ears for that moment. Why was it suddenly louder out here than when he was inside?]
[He looks over his shoulder through the half-open door when that lightning flashes again, and then up to the noise of the thunder, but he feels Kaeya's flinch and tightened grip on his hand without even needing to look at him. His attention goes back to Kaeya immediately and for a moment he just looks at him with a faintly puzzled expression on his face.
Neither of them had been much fond of storms when they were children, but he had always thought they had both grown out of it. His mind goes to the reaction Kaeya had had to his phoenix, and then to the last time he had used it against him, and... it isn't difficult to put the pieces together.
He squeezes his hand around the one in his and then, uttering a very quiet 'come here', he pulls Kaeya in and wraps one arm around his shoulders. The other hand, still clasped around his, is pinned lightly between their heartbeats.]
[Kaeya was a bit too surprised by the sudden pull to resist, not quite understanding what Diluc was trying to do until he was suddenly enveloped in his warmth. His hand was still within Diluc's, but the other arm was around his shoulders. He completely frozen when he realized what was happening, eye wide and staring into the faintly lit apartment.
He shuddered lightly and finally let himself relax, if only a little. His head lowered until his chin rested on a strong shoulder, his free arm hesitantly reaching up to grip at the robe from behind, just between Diluc's shoulder blades. It was another breath through his nose and his muscles lost their tension completely, shoulders lowering as his head tilted lightly to rest against his brother's.]
[All at once the realisation hits that it must have been years of this. This terror every time there was a storm. Just another thing he would have to make up for--
Archons, just how much damage had he done?
Diluc shuts his eyes for a moment and rubs his thumb softly against the back of Kaeya's shoulder just as he had when the other man had been asleep beside him in the hospital. He tips his head softly against the touch against it, keeping the hold warm but nothing that couldn't be easily wriggled out of.]
I've got you. [He says quietly.] You're all right now.
[It hadn't been easy over the years. So much happened over the span of a few short days that time, but it had truly left their mark on Kaeya. It didn't help that it truly had been a stormy night when his father left him to be found by Diluc's family. Probably the only part of that story that wasn't false, given it could easily be corroborated by Diluc himself if Varka had thought to ask.
But another crackle and crash and Kaeya felt himself clinging tighter, his heart racing once more. He hated this. Hated feeling so vulnerable and scared over something he had originally grown out of.]
Perhaps we should go inside.
[It wouldn't exactly make it any better with how loud it is, but being inside a home felt marginally safer than in a hallway. He reluctantly pulled away.]
[He does still remember the night that Kaeya was found. When Crepus had brought in the soaking, ice-cold little boy with blue hair and dark skin and Diluc had hung around his legs asking a hundred questions. The boy's name was Kaeya Alberich, he'd been told, and he'd be staying with them for a while.
Everything after that was history.
Kaeya clings to him in answer to that noisy crash of thunder and he tightens his arm around him, feeling his racing heart against the back of his hand.]
... Mmn. [He murmurs, feeling suddenly chilly with the distance between them and stepping back to let Kaeya walk in to the apartment ahead of him.]
I was making tea, but I can do something else. Or something stronger.
[Without the warmth, Kaeya was back to hugging his arms to his chest as he stepped further inside. He made a considering noise at the options given to him. But he shook his head at the thought of drinking. There was a reason he didn't during storms, he was already anxious and irrational now and being drunk was just going to exacerbate it.]
Do you... have anything sweeter? Not juice.
[It could be fruit tea for all he cared but... something sweet was always kind of nice and it reminded him a bit of their childhood. When Adelinde would make the two of them hot chocolate or even warming up some milk and honey. Being warm and cozy and helped Kaeya acclimate to his new home back then. Why not now?]
Mm... [He gives some consideration to the request as he stands in the kitchen space looking at the closed cupboards. Despite their not being open he can visualise what's inside and he knows he's not all that prepared for the request.]
Right. [After a little thought he grabs a saucepan and starts to gently heat some milk, and while it's warming he walks quickly to the bedroom and grabs a thick, soft blanket that he drops off beside Kaeya on his way back to the stove.]
You can stay here until it's over if you like. I--.. I wouldn't mind.
[Kaeya toed off the sandals at the door, just in time to hear the saucepan on the stove. What was Diluc heating up? He missed the milk going in and Diluc was pretty fast with the blanket. He took a hold of it and opted to sit at the couch. The apartments were small, so it wasn't like it was far from the kitchen.]
Well, you did invite me over. Why... did you want me over, anyway?
[He felt a little awkward on the couch like this, but as the thunder rolled again he was in the blanket and resting his chin on his knees before he really knew it. He really was pathetic, wasn't he? Some kind of Knight he was. He leaned back a little against the arm, his head resting on the back of the couch he idly watched Diluc stir whatever was on the stove.]
[It sounds so simple when he puts it like that, but with the weight of the last years of anger between them still hanging it means a lot for Diluc to say so easily that he just... wanted to have Kaeya around.
He stirs the milk lightly to make sure it doesn't burn and brushes his hair back over his shoulders. A few rogue curls bounce forwards again within moments.
When he glances over and sees Kaeya so swiftly bundled up under the blanket, that small frown flickers over his brow again before he quickly shifts his attention back to the milk.]
[It was a soft murmur of a protest. He was certain it was only the two of them in this apartment so it would have been unthinkable to ask anyone to wonder out in this storm. Again, why couldn’t there just be a convenient time surge right now?
He watched Diluc absently work on whatever he was heating up. His eye caught Diluc’s for that moment and he looked away. He didn’t like feeling as though he were being studied. He knew Diluc didn’t mean it, Kaeya was acting in a manner reserved for when he was home alone. No one had ever seen this. He sighed through his nose and then caught sight of a hair tie on the table at the end of the couch.
He looked back over as Diluc tried valiantly to keep his hair from sliding forward but that hair of his was always wild and there was a reason the redhead was rarely seen with it not in some kind of tail. After another bit of thunder rolled on through, Kaeya forced himself to calm as he scooted over to the table and grabbed the hair tie, getting up from the couch and leaving the blanket so he could go into the kitchen and gently gather the red and blue locks.]
Hold still, you’re going to burn your hair at this rate.
[It wasn’t going to be anything fancy, not without a brush, but Kaeya gathered it all and pulled it through the hair tie. He also took a glance at the milk heating in the saucepan and couldn’t help the small smile pulling up one corner of his lips.]
Milk with honey? I didn’t think you remembered that.
A lot of people don't live three doors down the hall.
[And a lot of people aren't people he would think to send a message to after waking up in the middle of the night. Until recently, even Kaeya wasn't someone he would thik to send a message to in the middle of the night. Things have certainly changed.
He hears the other man moving around but doesn't look over at him again. While he's keeping half an eye on Kaeya's condition, he doesn't want to make it seem as if he's... watching him. Bit too late for that, probably, but he can still avoid making it worse. So it's a surprise when he feels hands in his hair and he visibly flinches, only the fact he knows who it is keeping him from pulling away entirely.]
It isn't that long. [Diluc mutters, but he tips his head back slightly to make it easier then gives it a little shake once his hair is tied. He glances over his shoulder and smiles faintly.]
I don't know why you'd think I'd forgotten. Adelinde would make it for us.
[And Elzer, too, if he was around in the evening.]
[Kaeya fought a light chuckle when Diluc jumped, he hadn’t intended to startle him and thought he had been noisy enough. Guess not! There was a murmured apology as he backed up once the hair tie was secured. He let himself lean against the adjacent counter, it was warmer in here. He crossed his arms against, though.]
No, she made hot cocoa most of the time because someone requested it over hot milk all the time.
[Which certainly didn’t help the two kids already being wide awake for whatever reasons. But Adelinde indulged them at times but she’d go with honeyed milk when she could so the two rambunctious boys could get some sleep.]
Not that I can blame you. She made very good hot cocoa and I can never do it justice myself.
[So he'd had a preference! And Kaeya had never tried too hard to argue against that preference, for reasons which become clear with what he says next. The hot chocolate that Adelinde made was indeed very good, and Diluc had never quite been able to replicate it either.
But she was still his head housekeeper, and every so often when he was feeling particularly nostalgic for the past, he would ask her to make it for him.
She would never refuse.]
The honey is in the cupboard there, would you mind?
[Kaeya had his own sweet tooth so it wasn’t like he had any room to argue, but it was fun to joke about. Something that not many knew about Diluc.
He reached into the cupboard that his brother indicated, rummaging only for a moment before pulling out the glass jar and setting down on the counter next to the stove.]
…thank you. You didn’t need to go that far for me, you know. I would have been fine with some fruit tea or something.
[There were a lot of things that Kaeya would know about Diluc that few knew, and some that no one else knew. They had been so close, after all. Closer to each other than to anyone else in some ways.
He smiles and shakes his head to dismiss what the other man says, and picks up a couple of mugs to portion the milk out into. With that done he adds some honey to each and stirs them, the spoon ringing lightly against the side of each cup.]
It wasn't any trouble. Besides, [And he picks up the mugs, offering one to Kaeya while he takes a sip from the other.] It's been a long time since we did this.
It’s been a long time since we did a lot of things.
[He took the mug, only to set it down really fast when the lightning flashed. He knew he was going to jump and while the milk spilled a little, it was better than the alternative that would have happened once the thunder hit as well. He closed his eyes, willing himself to calm his heart.]
Sorry.
[He looked for a towel to clean up the mess he made.]
[The storm is moving over them and since there's a delay between the flash and the noise, Diluc remains unfazed. He still looks a little concerned though, when Kaeya reacts like that again.
He hands him a towel, sensing that he needs to be able to clear up his own mess rather than have it done for him, and while he deals with that Diluc makes a point of pulling the tie out of his hair again and shaking it entirely loose.]
Let's sit down. [Diluc suggests, nodding towards the couch and Kaeya's abandoned blanket.] After you.
[It was easier now that he had company, but it wasn't going to go away any time soon. He was grateful that Diluc didn't say anything about the mess, letting him clean it up and rinse the towel clean. He laid it over the edge of the sink to dry and took his mug from the counter. He held it in both hands as he nodded and went back to the couch.
He had the blanket draped over his lap and handed some of it to Diluc as well, taking a sip with a raised brow. Aren't you cold, Diluc?]
[He joins him, but looks at the blanket when it's offered as if he doesn't understand, just for a moment. Then he smiles slightly and scoots in close enough to be shoulder to shoulder with the other man and tugs the offered portion over his lap.
Diluc hums softly as he sips his drink, closing his eyes as fond memories come rushing in. Memories he used to try to avoid, but now tentatively allows.
When the next flash from outside brightens the room up, he shifts and puts his arm around Kaeya's shoulders.]
[It was easy enough to settle in against Diluc once they were shoulder to shoulder. In fact, it was almost automatic. He slouched against him, even. He sipped the warm drink, humming softly in satisfaction as the warmth settled into his stomach and filled him from the inside out. This whole moment reminded him of when they were younger, when times felt simpler.
It was nice even if the nostalgic feeling left him saddened that they likely would never get those times back. But, assuming things went in the direction they seemed to be headed, new memories were never a bad thing.
He saw the lightning and the sudden feeling of Diluc’s arm around his shoulders distracted enough that when the thunder hit (notably not quite as loud as the storm was finally moving along), he didn’t jump so much as tense. His eyes closed, grip on his mug tight, but overall much easier than before. He settled again once he forced himself to relax, almost sagging against Diluc. He was tired. He sighed heavily, his head landing on Diluc’s shoulder before he realized what he was doing.]
[Not for his own sake - he doesn't mind it, even if it did wake him up - but he finds he hates to see how much it bothers Kaeya. Part of that is undeniably the knowledge that he caused this, in no small way, and that this fear wouldn't exist if he hadn't lashed out so furiously those years ago.
Kaeya's head drops to his shoulder and he grows quite still. His heart jumps up to his throat and he looks silently down into his drink as his pulse feels as if it momentarily stops before racing on.
... What was that?
He exhales softly, slowly, and tips his head to rest it against the top of Kaeya's.]
I know how nights like this goes, I won’t sleep. It’s fine.
[He can deal, he’s had to for the last four years. And this time, no Knights of Favonius work which meant less worry about dumb mistakes while tired. Although it also meant he was going to have to figure out another way to keep his mind occupied so he didn’t do a midday nap and ruin his sleep schedule.]
[He's not the one petrified of the weather. Diluc wouldn't have suggested such a thing if he hadn't heard the exhaustion weighted in that sigh Kaeya had let out. He shifts his arm to make it more comfortable around his brother's shoulders, having the unintended effect of tucking him in all the closer.
It feels strange to do this now. His memories of when this would happen involve them both being a lot smaller.]
And you don't have to try to sleep. Just try to rest.
[He grunted lightly into his mug, not really in the mood to keep protesting any longer. He sighed again, relaxing as best he could in between the thunder and the warm honeyed milk settling in his stomach and making him sleepy. Eventually, the mug was emptied and sat loosing in his lap as his eyes drooped.
For a moment, he felt like he was a kid, experiencing his first moment of brotherly bonding over being without his biological father during another storm and realizing he had a new family to keep him warm and safe.
Kaeya pulled his legs up, curling them right on top of Diluc’s as he sleepily pulled the blanket up to his shoulders. He let out a contented sigh through his nose, closing his eyes completely now.]
[Somewhere between the mug falling loose in Kaeya's hold and the moment he shifts his knees up onto the couch, Diluc takes the mug from his hand and places it down on the floor beside his own. The weather grows calmer by the time they finish their drinks, with only the rain hitting the windows and an occasional, distant roll of thunder.
He makes a soft sound of surprise when Kaeya moves and curls up on him like that, but he doesn't have it in his heart to push him away. Instead he shifts him very carefully to make things more comfortable for them both, and moves the blanket so it's less tangled up. With one arm under the blanket around Kaeya's back and the other over the top, draped lightly over his curled legs, he's all but cradling the man against him.
Diluc sighs softly, closing his eyes and pressing a gentle kiss to Kaeya's hairline. Something warm swells in his chest and he murmurs very quietly.]
[Kaeya didn’t respond. Not because he didn’t hear, but because he wasn’t sure he heard correctly. He was barely aware of curling up against Diluc, to be honest, until his brother said that. But he was too tired and exhausted to move. And to answer. But that warmth in his chest that he had been feeling since they left the hospital was felt once more, warmer and brighter than before.
Kaeya didn’t know what to make of it.
His hand shifted around his stomach to where he felt Diluc’s hand under the blanket at his back and gently curled a couple fingers into it. He couldn’t reach all around, of course, but he managed to snag a few digits, just a subtle and quiet way to let the other know he heard and he was responding in some fashion.]
[He hadn't said it with the expectation that Kaeya would be too deep into sleep to hear him. Maybe he'd even wanted him to hear it. What was the point of saying something like that if it wasn't heard by the person it was directed at?
Diluc smiles faintly to himself as he feels Kaeya's fingers curling around his hand. He gives the other man's body a gentle squeeze with both arms and relaxes into the back of the couch.]
[Without the thunder constantly jumping his heart and the feel of being wrapped up in comforting warmth, it wasn’t too difficult to follow that request. He was asleep within a few minutes.
He awoke to the morning light in his face, it seemed the storm passed over completely and the sun was shining. He snuggled back deeper into his blanket, closing his eyes to catch a few more ZZZs… only to open them right back up with his brows furrowed as he realized he was now laying down rather than being upright. He lifted his head and that’s when he realized that at some point during the night, both he and Diluc had gone from sitting up to laying down… with Kaeya using Diluc’s chest as a pillow. He was still being cradled between the couch and his brother’s warm body.
He honestly didn’t know if he should be embarrassed, mortified, or utterly pleased at this. His face heated right back up and slowly, delicately, he tried to push himself up to disentangle himself from the blanket and Diluc’s arms without waking him.]
[He'd made an attempt of it, but after dozing off a couple of times while sitting up and waking up with a pain in his neck he'd shifted them both around while half asleep and ended up like this, with Kaeya tucked between him and the back of the couch.
When Kaeya wakes up Diluc is fast asleep, one arm hanging off the couch and his hair in complete disarray. His chest rises and falls softly with each breath, and Kaeya's nerves are at least spared the fact that the robe he fell asleep in is still covering most of his bare skin up.
He has one arm around him and when the other man decides to try and move, he gets a soft, sleepy grunt of protest and that grip around him tightening just a fraction.]
Five more minutes. [Diluc mutters with a sigh.] Then I'll... I'll get up.
[Kaeya sighed and settled back down. He waited exactly 30 seconds and tried again because now that he was awake, he really needed to bathroom. That’s what happens when you have a drink in the middle of the night, two if you count the half finished tea still in his apartment.
But he was still met with resistance and he sighed louder.]
Diluc, you can sleep five more minutes but I need the restroom.
[He's still half asleep, half-lodged in whatever dream he was having before Kaeya disturbed him, but when he speaks those red eyes open and he blinks a few times before abruptly lifting his arm off his brother's back.]
Mm. Sorry.
[Immediately, he shifts to get out of Kaeya's way and busies himself with tidying the mugs up off the floor. It's a distraction, of course... to try and take his mind off how wildly his pulse is suddenly racing.]
[Kaeya was very thankful for that. Not just for his bladder but because he also needed a moment to figure out what just happened. He really fell asleep on Diluc, didn’t he? And Diluc let him. The whole thing was wild and he really didn’t know what to think or say or do. But he couldn’t be in the bathroom forever so he finished up, washed his hands, and padded back out into the living room. Since Diluc was cleaning up the mugs, Kaeya got the blanket to fold.
He handed it back to Diluc once his hands were free and rubbed the back of his neck.]
…I should get going but uh… [Smooth.] Thank you. Again.
[It hadn't been the first time in the last few weeks that Kaeya had fallen asleep on him, and Diluc isn't at all fazed by that part of the situation. What does bother him are the unfamiliar feelings buzzing around his head as he washes the cups and listens to the faint sounds of Kaeya moving around in the bathroom.
He's deep in his own thoughts when Kaeya finally emerges and he looks over his shoulder before he turns to take the blanket. The folding of it is almost immediately undone with the way Diluc fidgets it between his hands.]
... Right, hm... You're welcome. [Diluc looks away, a tiny but obviously troubled frown worrying a faint crease between his eyebrows.] You don't need to wait for me to ask next time.
[Kaeya was a little confused at first, tilting his head inquisitively. He didn't need to wait? For what?
...oh. He sighed and nodded, although he looked unsure all the same.]
I'll... think about it.
[It wasn't that he didn't appreciate it but Kaeya just had habits now. Much of it came from being a lonely person and keeping people at arm's length in the process. And he wasn't used to Diluc being... well, being a brother to him. So, his instincts were at war with his buried deep needs that he had had to keep there in order to protect himself after their fight.]
[He smiles slightly, not trying to push it any further than that. The two of them could be quite similar and Diluc knows he wouldn't appreciate being prodded about such a thing. The next time a storm rolled over, he would go to Kaeya instead.]
All right.
[It's funny how he did enjoy the company, and specifically because that company was Kaeya, but... there are still things about how having the other man tucked against him like that made him feel that he needs to sort through.]
Well, at least ask me out on a date first! Men these days...
[Pause.]
That was a joke. Text is weird and you can't hear my lovely voice through this. See, this is why asked. But all joking aside, I would actually like living with you again. [He had been lonely back in Mondstadt and even here, to an extent.] A quiet place in Kyoto, hm? Did you already purchase the place?
He takes a minute to recover from the way that makes his heart race and he's glad that this is text so Kaeya didn't hear the horribly undignified noise he made.]
Not yet. I have a few in mind. But I thought I'd ask you if you'd be joining me before I made a final decision.
[Kaeya was not much better since he let himself text that. But he is glad Diluc didn't say anything, although he did laugh a little. He was going to slip up one of these days and then it would just get awkward.]
Do you mind if I tag along to see? I never did take a look at those when I first arrived.
[He does wonder if Kaeya did that on purpose. Does he know? Does he have any idea how hard it's getting to be around him, to be close by him and not...
And when Diluc is sure by this point that he's...
He's staring at the wall. He blinks and gives himself a little shake.]
[He then proceeded to describe said schedule which mostly consisted of when he woke up, when he got food, when he got a drink, looked at bounties, maybe even doing said bounty or odd job, it's all tough work, you see.
I would never do something so crass. The fact that you can't control the colour of your face when I say something nice to you is simply an unintended bonus.
I don't often use this, but I was thinking of you. I was doing some work today and as payment I was provided an nice bottle of junmai sake. It's too fine to be had alone and you were the first I thought of.
You wouldn't happen to be available for some drinks, would you?
[It took a few moments for the reply, mostly because Kaeya was too busy walking around getting ingredients for tonight's dinner to notice it had gone off.]
I've been gone for only an hour.
[He's assuming it's going to be some sappy 'I miss you' text that only Diluc seemed capable of sending with a completely straight face.]
He felt his cheeks burn with every word read, stopping him in his tracks as he had been browsing the herb and spice vendor. The vendor herself couldn't help the small giggle at Kaeya's face and politely looked away.]
Something you weren't expecting?
Ah... [cough.] Something like that. Please excuse me, I'll be right back.
Of course, take your time.
[She likely thought it was much spicier than the text really was but that didn't matter because Kaeya knew it got the job done nonetheless. Why did Diluc insist on doing this to him?!]
That's awfully nice, buttering me up because you did something bad? Did you break a vase that I bought?
[Not that it stopped Kaeya from pretending that he wasn't as embarrassed and flushed as he really was.]
[The pleasure of knowing he flustered Kaeya in a public place is only half the reason that he does this. He entirely means it, naturally, and doesn't want to wait.]
I didn't. I just wanted you to know how precious you are to me. It feels important to tell you when the thought strikes me.
[He doesn't want to bring down the mood by pointing out that either of them could vanish at any time. Something that had been brought to the front of Diluc's mind lately.
Diluc tells Kaeya these things when he can because he can never be sure if it will be the only chance he gets.]
Indulge me with this one thing, won't you? I love you and I want you to know it.
[After finding out that Kaeya's condition with the hanahaki had been far more dire than the man had wanted to let on to him, Diluc had been trying to act like the lie hadn't bothered him too much.
In one way that's true. He isn't angry about it. It hasn't changed how he looks at Kaeya or how he acts around him. But... it still plays on his mind. Most of the time he can push it aside but when he's asleep and unguarded the scenarios his mind is able to cook up would be enough to disturb anyone.
It's on one such night when, in the very early hours, the redhead sighs in his sleep. The sigh is followed by a deep breath in, then another, and then a soft pinch of his expression as his shoulders press into the mattress and the base of his spine arches up slightly. Diluc turns his head and mutters something, his fingers twitching, then he seems to settle... though only for a few seconds until the discomfort shows itself again in earnest.
Diluc does not have visible nightmares often, usually waking soundlessly and just pulling Kaeya in closer to him afterwards. This time does seem a little different.]
[Kaeya wasn't necessarily a heavy sleeper, but he wasn't a light sleeper like Diluc was at times. It was those times that he tended to sleep through Diluc having nightmares because the guy was just so quiet until he pulled in Kaeya. But early this morning, that certainly wasn't the case.
The soft sounds and the fidgeting had Kaeya rousing from his sleep to figure out what was going on. The early hours barely had any light as he opened his bleary eyes. When Diluc twitched next to him again, the confusion turned into concern and he turned over in the bed to figure out what was going on. Diluc wasn't getting out of bed and it looked like he was still asleep.
It was barely there in the darkness, but Kaeya saw the pinched look on Diluc's face. He shifted onto an elbow, his other hand going to his boyfriend's chest to gently jostle him awake.]
[When Kaeya moves to wake him he's clearly in some unconscious distress, though still relatively quiet about it. His eyes twitch back and forth behind closed eyelids and as the other man places a hand on him he jolts with a sharply inhaled gasp and his eyes fly open immediately.
He looks unfocused and confused for a moment, softly panting for breath. His eyes - which had been red when he opened them - slide to a bright ice blue as he looks over to his boyfriend.]
Oh... [Still breathing unsteadily, he raises a hand and rubs at the corner of one eye.]
[No point in lying about it. He sighs and squeezes Kaeya in close to him, threading his fingers into the man's hair. His thumb rubs gently behind the shell of Kaeya's ear and his heartbeat slows gradually with the comforting contact.]
... Yeah.
[It's been a while, actually, since he last had one that he can remember.]
[He doesn't answer immediately because he isn't sure. Diluc looks at the ceiling, stroking through Kaeya's hair as if using it as a comfort for himself, then he sighs.]
I think... what happened with those flowers is bothering me more than I thought.
[The idea of almost losing him, of coming home that night to find him unconscious or worse on the kitchen floor, choking on flower petals... He hates it, but it's dug its way into his head.]
It--... It scared me. To know what might have happened, and I wasn't here.
[Diluc squeezes Kaeya's slimmer body in against his. The important thing is that in the end, he was completely fine. But the thought of what might have happened is still there.]
[And as often happens these days when they're cuddling like this, kizuna takes over and he has to shift with a slightly aggravated grunt to free a wolf tail from under his back. It curls halfway around Kaeya's leg once it's unpinned, tickling lightly against the bare skin.
He doesn't need to raise his hand to check to know the ears on top of his head are slightly pinned back, displaying his current state of mind. The faint awareness of a reorientation of his hearing tells him that they're there.]
If you're sorry, then... You should know I forgive you, as well.
[He was unable to stop the soft laugh when he heard the aggravated grunt. Kaeya knew by now what the cause was, so he wasn't surprised by the tail curling lightly around his leg. There's a shift in the sheets as his own bushy fox tail appears and began to sweep across the mattress with his contentment. Large fox ears pop from his hair to match.
Being forgiven went a long way and Kaeya snuggled a bit deeper under Diluc's chin.]
Thank you. How about I make us an early breakfast? I don't think we're going to go back to sleep any time soon.
[Not that he really wanted to get out of bed. He was very warm and comfortable like this.]
[And perhaps that in itself is telling. Diluc often grows restless within minutes of waking, pulling himself out of bed and setting himself to going about his day. Right now he's content to lay there and hold Kaeya against him, and as the man tucks in under his chin he rests a hand against his partner's hair and slowly rubs one thumb behind one of the long ears poking out through the strands.]
I can hear your tail wagging... [He murmurs, voice tinged with amusement.] You're cute when you're like this.
[Honestly, the slowly shifting morning light was really nice while tucked against Diluc like this. His ear flickered every so often from the rubbing, he wasn't always used to the extra appendages as told by his tail wagging without him being able to control that either.
It was certainly a surprise that Diluc hadn't wanted to get out of bed already, so Kaeya continued to take advantage.]
Shut up, you know I can't control it.
[There was no heat in his voice and he didn't even try to stop his tail.]
[He brushes a kiss against the edge of one of those soft ears, then runs his hand down Kaeya's back under the sheets all the way down to the base of his wagging tail. There, he slides two fingers against each side of the tail's base and lets his hand rest there, the heel of his palm against the base of the other man's spine.]
I thought I'd always hate this, but I don't mind so much when it's with you. [Diluc muses out loud. If he happened to start popping animal features with anyone else he isn't sure how he'd feel about it, but so far it's only happened with one person.
His voice softens as he nuzzles gently against the top of his boyfriend's head.]
Do you want me to wake you next time I have a bad dream?
[Kaeya shivered lightly as Diluc slid his hand down like that, resting at the base of his tail. His ear flickered again from the kiss and he huffed quietly.]
You just can't resist petting my pretty tail, can you?
[At the question, his tail slowed down and his finger reached up to trace a scar on Diluc's chest. He nodded silently. He always felt bad when he awoke to Diluc having pulled him in, because he didn't always wake up from the movement.]
[He moves his hand, stroking it over the silky pelt of Kaeya's fox tail. There was no need for him to resist, was there, when all of this was for him? The fingertip trailing across the scar on his chest makes him shiver, a whole new set of memories welling up along with the rush of goosebumps that scatter across his chest.]
And I know I am... and I'm happy to be.
[Diluc shifts. Maybe it is time to get out of bed.]
I'll remember next time. But no complaints that I woke you up.
[Many of the scars were from Diluc's time hunting the Fatui, they were numerous and he didn't know the stories for all of them. But he was fine with that, they were still making up for four years.
He chuckled softly and pushed himself up, leaning on his hand and looking down at his partner as the sheets slid off his shoulders. His ears twitched lightly as he tilted his head.]
Just remind me if I do. But this is early even for you, no? What do you plan to do?
[Kaeya actually had an idea himself of what they could do at such an early hour, but it depended on Diluc.]
[He tells the stories when Kaeya asks. Some of them are more obvious than others. A burn here, a gunshot there, scars from blades and spear-tips... a few are more difficult to place.]
If we're not going back to sleep, I could make us some tea and a snack. [And they might just fall back to sleep in the living room, curled up on the couch together like a couple of tired pups. It did happen, sometimes, when they were like this.]
[But today was not a day to ask. It was always more of a passing curiosity anyway.]
It's a little early for a snack for me, I can never eat so soon after waking up. Tea would be good though. [He twisted around a little to leaning over the beside and dig into his discarded pants from yesterday. He tossed a pack of cigarettes over his shoulder towards Diluc.] Tea and a smoke sound really good right about now. How about it?
[Neither of them smoked all that often, but sometimes they did. When the time was right and it was even better when they were together.]
[Diluc watches the line of Kaeya's spine as he leans over the bed, and reaches over to lightly run the back of one fingernail up the length of it from the base right up to the back of his neck. In the next moment he's catching the tossed cigarettes, looking at the pack in surprise.
The two of them did smoke now and then - Kaeya more often than himself - but he hadn't expected a pack of them to be so readily to hand.]
... Mm.
[He fiddles with the cigarette packet, flipping the lid open and closed, then slides out of bed and pushes his free hand through his hair, ears twitching while his deep red wolf tail swishes idly back and forth.]
Come on, then. I'll make the tea before we go into the garden.
[The stroke along his spine had earned a shiver and a light smack with his tail because wow, Diluc, don't startle him!
He grinned when Diluc agreed, watching him and his wolf ears and tail twitching and swishing.]
Alright.
[He slid out of the bed as well, thick fox tail that was the same blue as his hair but rather than a white tip, it had a red tip. He stretched for moment and set about getting himself better dressed for going outside. His sleeping clothes weren't things he wanted to outside in.]
[That's a mental note to keep while he grabs some clothes and pulls them on, settling for some soft-waisted trousers that won't be irritating while he has a tail, and a haori to keep the chill off. With as warm as he is naturally he hardly needs anything else.
He can still feel his tail swishing in simple pleasure at his current company as he follows Kaeya out of the room, and he links their hands together as they walk across the house.
His tail curls against the back of Kaeya's thigh. He doesn't notice.]
Which tea shall we have? Something strong might be too overpowering this early.
[Kaeya only settled for a wide collared long sleeve top and similar pants. He certainly felt that tail against his thighs and aside from a little satisfies smirk, he said nothing. Instead, he hummed in consideration as he swung their hands lightly.]
I prefer coffee anyway if I wanted caffeine. Why not one of the fruit teas? The mixed berry one is good.
[His large ears twitch lightly as he tilted his head at Diluc, hoping to get a yes from him. Something sweet with a cigarette was actually pretty good. Probably because he always went for the menthols.]
[When these features emerge, it's easier than ever for them to read one another. Not that Diluc has ever found it hard to read Kaeya, even when their relationship was at its lowest. He sends a smile his way as he answers and nods, and fruit tea would be far easier to put together anyway.
He doesn't waste time standing around in the kitchen. Diluc heats some water up quickly with a little application of pyro energy and sets the teapot and two cups on a small tray, ushering Kaeya out to the garden door and the engawa outside.
When they're settled on the edge of the porch, he sighs and hands the cigarette packet back over to the other man after pulling one out for himself.]
Lean in. [Diluc murmurs, and he gently lights the ends of both of their cigarettes where they touch.] Mm. Been a while.
Kaeya took the pack back and pulled out his own, leaning in as told so Diluc could light them both up before settling back with a sigh. He took another draw, sighing it out and watching the wisps of smoke dissipate in the air for the moment.]
Mmhm. Sometimes, this [He gestured to the cigarette between his index and middle finger as he flicked it lightly over the edge of the engawa.] just feels right.
[It wasn't necessarily a habit, he wasn't interested in making it one, but it was still a way to relax some days when wine just didn't cut it. He reached over for the tea, pouring himself a cup and taking a sip. Sweet and hot, so good.]
Diluc draws on his own cigarette, hissing in through his teeth as he lets it linger and burn in his chest. He probably should be coughing, but he lets the smoke out in a steady stream and watches it drift away on the light breeze of the early morning.]
Sometimes. [He murmurs in quiet agreement. Like Kaeya, Diluc is not interested in making this a habit... but it's nice to just sit and indulge in it once in a while.]
Remember sneaking out into the vineyard to smoke so father didn't catch us? [He asks after a few silent moments pass, tilting his attention towards the younger man with a small smile.] And the one time Elzer did?
[They've done it enough times to not need to cough all that much while smoking, anyway. The burn was actually an odd sensation that Kaeya enjoyed, especially with the cooling taste of the menthol. Maybe it was the Cryo talking, who knows.
Kaeya smiled broadly at the memory, leaning back on his hand as he huffed out a laugh.]
He was more mad that we were too close to the grapes than he was at us smoking. I was honestly so surprised, especially when he didn't tell on us. I was so certain we were going to get a lecture after dinner.
[He took another drag with a contemplative tilt of his head.]
How much you want to bet he'd known the whole time and just never said anything?
[Elzer, along with the rest of the staff, had always been indulgent of the two young man growing up around their feet. Diluc had been aware of this to the point of occasionally taking advantage, though he never pushed it to a point that he would cause any disappointment to his father.]
Nothing happens around the winery that Elzer doesn't know about. [And though Diluc might not say it now, he knows that he could not run the place without him. He smiles, gently bumping his shoulder to Kaeya's.]
[Kaeya laughed with a nod. That sounded about right. There was a reason the winery didn't fall when Diluc had left and Kaeya moved out.
He grunted at the shoulder bump, turning his head away to blow out the smoke and flicking the cigarette over the side again.]
Oh? We? You sure you want me as a business partner?
[Kaeya didn't need to ask to know what kind of business Diluc had in mind. While he may have been out of the game for several years now due to dedicating himself to the Knights, it wasn't like he learned nothing while growing up at the winery.]
[Diluc makes a show of thinking about it. He hums in soft consideration and spends a few moments in contemplative silence as he takes another draw on the cigarette and flicks a little of the ash over the edge of the porch.]
Good question.
[He doesn't give details about what he has in mind because he is sure that Kaeya knows. There's really only one thing that it could be.]
I think I could manage it. The real question is, could you handle working so closely with me?
[Kaeya scoffed in amusement at Diluc's show, taking another drag of the cigarette as he waited for the eventual, true answer. He made his own considering sound.]
You're the one who spent so long just barely tolerating my presence while I more or less brute forced my way back into your life, I hope you remember. Shouldn't I be the one asking you that?
[He even playfully slurped the tea, loudly, while looking over the rim of the mug with a raised eyebrow. Can you tolerate him being a bratty business partner?
Except he wouldn't be bratty, he would take it seriously as much of a greenhorn as he was regarding the actual day to day business. He only remembered so much by this point in time, but he was willing to learn.]
[He shoots Kaeya a deadpan look at that. It's been so long since he moved past simply tolerating the man, and poorly, that the way he chooses to bring it up now verges on jarring. Besides, as much as Kaeya likes to joke around and act the brat he knows full well that he would take business with as much seriousness as he took his work for the Knights.]
You know I had my reasons. Even if they weren't very good ones. [That's something he can at least admit now. Keeping Kaeya at arms length for so long had only served to hurt them both, when the other man's only real crime was poor timing.
Diluc rolls his eyes and takes another drag of his cigarette, sighing out a breath.]
And if I didn't want you to do this with me, I wouldn't have asked. I just don't want you to feel you have to spend so much of your time stuck to my hip if you have other things you want to do.
[He might joke about it later, but it seems he's looking for a serious answer first.]
[Not very good ones at all, but Kaeya wasn't going to dwell on that either. He set the mug down and reclined back on his hand, cigarette back in his mouth. He gave a one sided shrug.]
I don't feel like that at all. My schedule is erratic because of the bounties so having something a bit more consistent would be nice. Besides... [He tilted his head toward Diluc, smiling lightly as he pulled the cigarette from his mouth, putting the rest of it out with a bit of cryo magic.] If you and I hadn't become Knights all those years ago, I imagine this is the thing you and I would be doing by now. Don't you think?
[At the time his reasons had felt perfectly valid and even after they had managed to patch things up with each other he would have still had trouble with admitting that he wasn't justified in how he had reacted that night.
He does see now, though, that it had mostly been the result of a grieving teenager being pushed utterly to his limits by a perceived betrayal of all the values his father had died for.]
Maybe. [Probably. He had always known he would take the winery when his father wanted to retire, though they had both no doubt thought that would be some years in the future when his best years in the Knights were behind him.
He finishes the last of his own cigarette and shakes his head, holding it up for Kaeya to snuff it out as he exhales the smoke.]
[The answer came so easily as Kaeya reached out with frosted fingertips to put out the cigarette with a soft sizzling sound. He took it from Diluc after and set it next to his own.]
When we joined, I only did because you did. I wanted to follow you wherever you went. The Knights hadn't held my attention like they had yours, but I wanted to be with you anyway. It was a risk to join in the first place, but it was a risky choice I was willing to make.
[He leaned back on both hands, looking up at the morning sky as his fox ears twitched lightly.]
You and M-... And Father made me feel warm and safe. I figured it would stay that way even within the Knights, should anyone find out. [He tilted his head in Diluc's direction, one ear tilting down.] Seems like I was right.
I'll still follow you, Diluc. Whether you want me to or not.
[They don't often talk about their time spent in the Knights even now, but Diluc listens quietly while Kaeya speaks. Knowing what he knows now, how much of a risk it was for Kaeya to follow him into the Knights and always be at his back was truly a risk... and he had never really thought about it before.
He settles next to the other man, placing his hand close enough to Kaeya's that their pinkie fingers can link together.
Back then, Kaeya had been his best friend, his confidante, always in his shadow but never complaining, always supporting him in everything he could have ever needed. Diluc had been the confident one, charming, always smiling, while Kaeya had always been slightly more eccentric in manner... but none the less well-liked.]
I wouldn't have it any other way. [He replies with a gentle warmth, softly bumping their shoulders together.] And I know... it's not the most pleasant of topics... but did they ever tell you why I resigned?
[Kaeya smiled a little brighter as their pinkies linked and he huffed a small laugh at the shoulder bump. He settled down at the question and shook his head.]
No, they didn't. I figured it out on my own. It's why I took your Vision from them. They didn't deserve to hold onto it. [He probably would have gone to grab it regardless of the truth, but he had been unsure at the time. He wanted to respect Diluc's wishes but at the same time, something had nagged at him. So, being the sly little fox he was, he investigated and figured out the truth himself. It was long after that Eroch had been expelled from the Knights too. Fancy that.] I thought about what to do with it after that. Never came to a decision so I just held onto it hoping you'd come back for it one day.
[Come back to him. But when Diluc did return, he was Sir Kaeya. And the Knights were useless and inefficient. Diluc never called him that, but it certainly had stung as if he had and it hadn't been easy to not take it to heart (he still did, at times).]
[He breathes out the words, almost sighing, and despite what he says he doesn't sound particularly angry now. Of course Kaeya knows already either way, thanks to Amber's excited explanation of her youthful eavesdropping during the Black Fire Incident (something Diluc himself had not been present for, but had inevitably heard about later from Lisa), but he had always wondered if he had been let in on any of it back then. It's no surprise that the resourceful man had worked it out for himself.
Hearing that Eroch had been expelled as a traitor while he was gone had done little to soothe the sharp sting of being betrayed by the Order he had put so many years of his life into.
Diluc smiles, soft and bitter all at once. What would Crepus have thought if he had known that the Knights of Favonius, who he had always regretted never being a part of, had been able to turn their back on him so easily? He could still get angry about it now if he let himself, and perhaps Kaeya might be able to see it coming, but instead of those barbed emotions welling up Diluc simply takes a breath, holds it for a moment, then sighs it slowly out again.]
But thank you, Kaeya... for keeping it safe for me. And for not pushing it into my hands at the first opportunity. [His smile turns wry.] I don't think I would have been able to accept it if you had.
I'm fairly certain one would have been in your shoes.
[Kaeya had been, when he found out. Even contemplating quitting the Knights. Maybe he should have. Would Diluc have received him better? He didn't know. But the Knights were all Kaeya had left at the time, so he stayed.]
I wanted to. But settled for a gaudy vase instead.
[It wasn't that he knew Diluc wouldn't accept it. Because at the end of the day, he hadn't been sure. So, Kaeya kept it to himself for awhile, contemplating and feeling Diluc out. It was then he knew he had to be sneaky about it. Find the opportune moment.]
I hate that damn vase... [The redhead says wistfully, looking up at the slowly brightening sky. He hated it, yet he had never thought to throw it away and it was still sitting on its plinth in the entrance hall of the winery along with a few other slightly out-of-place ornaments.]
It doesn't look good no matter where you put it.
[And yet!!
He's sure Adelinde found the Vision tucked inside the thing long before he did. Diluc wasn't going about cleaning the place after all. She hadn't told him, and eventually he had found it himself. Some consideration had been given to simply tossing the thing right at the man, but by then it had been so long that doing so felt ridiculous to do that. And besides, he'd missed the warm weight of it at his hip.]
[Kaeya laughed as Diluc began to complain about the vase, drinking the last of his tea and setting is aside as his tail swished on the wooden deck from side to side. He lifted his hand and shrugged one shoulder.]
Why not a vase? I never said I wanted to be subtle about it. Besides, I doubt you even knew the Vision was in there at first, hm?
[It had taken a bit after Diluc accepted the vase to start showing up with the Vision at his hip. He knew it wouldn't happen overnight, but the amount of time it took let Kaeya realize that Diluc likely hadn't known it was in there. He wondered what triggered to look inside of it, unless it was Adelinde. Probably Adelinde.]
[Not the first time Kaeya has expressed such a sentiment, though Diluc rarely denies it. When it comes to him one must be a little forceful, particularly if trying to get him to do something that he might not wish to. Back then he wouldn't have wanted to have his Vision presented to him and he would not have wanted to feel like he owed Kaeya a debt for keeping it safe as he had, so the younger man had chosen the right course of action in the end.
His own tail swishes from side to side, occasionally bumping against Kaeya's as the movements synchronise.]
I expect that Adelinde found it before I did. She never told me, one way or the other. [The winery's staff had always respected Diluc's wish to not speak about the past and they did not mention it, at least not in front of him.] I actually discovered it in there myself in the end.
[His expression turns thoughtful for a few moments, then he leans a little of his weight against Kaeya's side.]
[Kaeya turned as Diluc leaned against him, he laid his head against the redhead's. It had been a pretty relaxing morning, but of the two them, he was the one that got the more restful sleep since he wasn't the one with the nightmare. So it was understandable that Diluc was still a little tired.]
Sleep a little more then. I can clean up here. Maybe get breakfast started before Lumine takes over the kitchen. Hm?
[He doesn't relish the idea of going back to bed by himself. When had he become so dependant on Kaeya's company? The thought occurs to him as he glances sidelong at the younger man, then he nods with a soft sigh and pushes himself up.]
Yeah, all right. [It's also not like him to go back to bed once he's up, but his sleep had not been restful at all and he has no pressing concerns that day.]
[He idly laces his fingers into Kaeya's while they head back to the bedroom, but when he sits down he doesn't try to pull the other man after him. Instead he leans forwards, pressing his forehead gently to Kaeya's sternum.]
We can go out and get something, how does that sound?
[Kaeya honestly could not help the soft "aww" that left him when Diluc pressed his forehead against him like that. He was not one to really coo at anything except perhaps cute animals or when Klee was being especially adorable. His fingers gently carded through the fluffy curls as he considered the slight change in breakfast plans.
He saw nothing bad about it, aside from having to actually put on more appropriate clothes and it would probably be enough time for the animal features to disappear so putting in proper pants on particular weren't a hassle. He would have to think of a place then.]
Sure, why not? I will think of a place unless you think of one in your dreams, hm~?
[He would probably just spend the next couple hours doing some light cleaning. It was his turn coming up anyway.]
[It felt like the right idea in the moment and even though he feels his cheeks heat at the strange intimacy of it he doesn't move his forehead away from where it's resting. While Kaeya combs his fingers through his hair, Diluc's wolf ears twitch and flick back slightly each time the other man's hands come near to them.]
I'm sure there are plenty of options. [He says, though he is mildly amused by the idea that he might wake up spontaneously having an idea of where to go.
With a sigh he sits up, coaxes Kaeya down to kiss him, and then smiles.]
And I mean it. Wake me up. Don't let me sleep all morning.
[He chuckled softly. He wanted to pick a good place but he needed to mentally catalog what was out there and what seemed to be the best choice for a day like today.
He leaned down to kiss the other man, smiling all the while.]
Yes, yes. 8am, on the dot.
[He didn't look at the clock but he was only guessing that it was around 6am by now. Either way, he would do as asked. He gently pushed Diluc down to the bed with a hand on the his chest.]
Now, get some sleep and be sure to wake up with an appetite.
[He goes down easily, not resisting the push against his chest, and settles himself comfortably with one eye half-open and his gaze slanted towards Kaeya. Though it doesn't happen often, these times when the other man can confidently look after him like this are always nice.]
Love you. [Diluc says then, the words half-muffled by a yawn as he shuts his eyes entirely and lightly grips the corner of the pillow in one hand.]
So whenever Diluc makes his way home, you should get some ice on his ribs. He ate a kick straight to the torso during a spar with me just to get a throw in, and now his ribs are probably bruised to hell.
Of course, he's tossing 'I'm fine' out, but I figure if anyone has a chance to get him to sit still and get it taken care of, it'll be you.
[Will Diluc be annoyed by the tattling? Probably. Does Chuuya care? Not a damn bit. Diluc is frankly lucky he's a friend and not a mafia member.]
I did, though he certainly pulled a few fun surprises out. It was an enjoyable fight, but I'd rather not see him badly injure himself over a spar. I hit harder than a regular guy even without my Gift. With it, well...
[And Chuuya less 'won' and more glued Diluc in place with gravity manipulation until he yielded once he realized the spar was about to get out of hand, but hey. It's fair to be cautious.]
It was a dumbass move, but he's your dumbass, so if anyone can get him to sit his ass down and accept some aid, it'll be you. He told me you can do stuff with ice, so freeze him to the couch if you have to.
Gift? Oh, your gravity abilities. Talk about wild, honestly. I suppose if anyone's going to get the upper hand on Diluc, it would be you. I have yet to do it myself, I would be jealous if I was not used to it.
[They did finally come to a draw back at the Kamisatos, which was enough for him. Especially because it had made Diluc proud.]
I can't freeze him to the couch, he would just melt it and ruin the furniture. Fire and ice aren't compatible in the slightest, but I know another way, not to worry~
Well, it was an unarmed spar. If he was using his blade, the outcome might have been different. My ability doesn't do anything against things like fire, so there were way more close calls than you'd think. Wouldn't mind going toe to toe against you sometime for that matter, I bet it'd be fun.
[Chuuya is, unfortunately for everyone, always eager to test himself against people in a fight. He loved a challenge.]
....Guess that's true. Damn. But if you've got a way, then that's fine.
It would not be impossible, although he uses a claymore so you would need to rely on your speed against that. But if you've got the strength to best him in an unarmed brawl, I would say you are good to go. Strictly without his use of Pyro.
Me? I am not quite like you and Diluc are in unarmed battle, so I'm not sure I would be able to give you a sufficient fight. It isn't really my forte, not unless a sword is involved.
[He knew his limits and learning any sort of martial arts just had not been his priority. He knew the basics, of course, but that was about it.]
I do, don't worry. Diluc will probably hate it, but that's the fun part.
See, I told Diluc it'd be fine to fight me with his weapon, but he felt like it would be unfair. As if I haven't fought guys with all kinds of weapons before. It's not like he'd kill me in a spar or anything.
[Diluc's consideration was cute, really. A little unnecessary, but cute nonetheless.
...But also maybe that says way too much about Chuuya. Does he really have any place to judge Diluc for his injury here?]
So if you're less hesitant about fighting a martial artist while armed... well. The offer still stands. This place gets dreadfully boring, compared to my hometown. If it makes you feel better, I do know how to use a knife?
[Honestly, he was worried he'd get rusty without any fights in this world. A real problem, given his job.]
Oh? How fun are we talking? Gonna get the drop on him?
Well, it most cases it would be unfair. One wrong move and we could accidentally cut your life short.
If you insist, however, then I'll oblige. I'll use my ice sword instead then, rather than my actual sword as compromise, yes? Or a bokken.
Speak of the devil, hold please.
[Diluc had just come home and even without the warning from Chuuya, Kaeya noticed the subtle difference. Still, the heads up made it all the more easy to spot and while he didn't have the device set to audio or video, Kaeya was quite pleased with himself as got the drop on Diluc.
Very cold, frosted hands right up his shirt and pressed against those bruised ribs. After some fussing later, Kaeya returned.]
He is now seated on the couch with an ice pack that will take longer than normal ice to melt and looking adorably grumpy.
You say that, but I've been assuming you're both proficient enough that the risk is fairly low. I've been fighting since pretty much my first memories, so I'd like to think I've got a good sense of opponents.
But an ice sword sounds like fun, actually. Would love to see what you can do with that.
[He wonders about the durability and efficiency. Is it as sharp as a real blade? Is it sharper? How much force could--
..Oh, looks like Diluc's home. Chuuya waits for Kaeya to come back, letting his mind wander a little bit before the next text comes and a grin settles on his lips.]
Good. If he complains, it's only what he deserves. Though I'm almost sad missing out on his grumping, that sounds fun.
I use it as I would a normal sword, but it's a bit more versatile and allows me to use my Cryo abilities with far greater accuracy if need be. Also, if it breaks, I can make a new one, easy.
[He wasn't going to go into further argument over fighting an unarmed man while armed, so he had left it at that. Fighting dirty was not out of the question, but in a friendly spar, he certainly didn't like to resort to such tactics.]
I'm sure you will have your chance some other time. You're very persistent when taking care of others, after all.
Ah, I'm quite touched that you consider me a friend.
[Did they sound a little insincere? Probably. Kaeya was still in the "unsure" phase with Chuuya, no matter how well he got on with Diluc. It was just in his nature to take a little time to warm up to another person and truly consider them a friend rather than simple acquaintance.]
[He's used to this now. The sensation of hot fullness and Kaeya moving over him, pressing him down into the bed, kissing him breathless until he's the only thing Diluc can think about. The way he'll hook his thighs against the more slender man's hips has become natural instead of awkward, and he is far less conscious of the volume his voice can reach as his lover hits every sweet spot in him.
He climaxes with a noisy groan, pulling Kaeya down against him and holding him tightly as he trembles through his orgasm. Then they settle, exchanging warm kisses and soft words until the mess grows too uncomfortable to ignore.
Once they're cleaned up and the sheets are changed, Diluc flops down onto the bed with a contented huff and stretches out, his hair fanned out under him and several bite marks blooming into bruises on his collar bone. He glances over to Kaeya, smiles, and Kaeya grins at him.
He grins in that wide, toothy way that shows off his teeth and the slightly over-pointed canines. The way that goes all the way up to his eyes and makes him glow. Diluc feels an immediate flush of heat through his entire body and lets out a strangled sound, and not for the first time he immediately grabs a pillow and launches it right at Kaeya's face.
Kaeya let out a (muffled) startled cry when he was promptly hit with a pillow after a rather amazing (if he did say so himself) round of sex. It was always a lovely change of pace when Diluc let him top and it was always a lovely sight to see. Diluc in the throes of passion will never not be beautiful to him, after all.
But that all went out the window as he shoved the pillow aside to pout at Diluc.]
What was that for? I thought we had an amazing time.
[Not to mention that felt oddly familiar... Not that Diluc made a habit of smacking him with pillows but it was far from the first time.]
[Diluc, currently mired in his own mortification, has his head shoved into the remaining pillow on his side of the bed and his arm tucked under it to pull it up over his face.
His voice is muffled but audible enough, and he draws his knees up slightly as he realises that Kaeya... probably deserves an explanation for suddenly being beaned with a pillow.]
[Kaeya understood Diluc regardless of him trying to smother himself with another pillow. But he was still at a loss on what was going on because the other man just confirmed it had all be great, they had cleaned up and were still basking in the afterglow, but now it seemed like one of them was going to die due to lack of oxygen by pillow if this kept going.
He scooted closer, then, when Diluc continued to speak. He even turned his head to hear better and once he did, abruptly frowned in confusion.]
Eh? My stupid-- What does that mean?
[But then, his face dawned a little of realization as he figured out just why that felt so familiar. Diluc used to do this a lot when they were kids, usually when Kaeya was smiling happily about something or other. For whatever reason that confused the heck out of kid!Kaeya, Diluc would blush hard and then smack Kaeya with a pillow! The pillow distracted him from the blushing enough to not think anything of it afterwards.
But now...]
...oh no, you're adorable, Luc. You had a crush on me for that long?!
[He promptly scooted over until he was straddling Diluc and he leaned onto that pillow (after trying to wrestle at least a part of it off his poor lover's face) to grin down at him.]
[He doesn't do much when Kaeya moves to straddle him, but he does resist visibly when the pillow over his face starts being pulled at. Diluc did do this a lot when they were kids and for reasons he didn't fully understand until he got older and realised what those excited flutterings in the pit of his stomach were.
But it wasn't proper. Kaeya was his father's ward, they were being raised side by side, they had the Knights to think about and Diluc, of course, would be expected to marry and produce an heir.
He relents enough that Kaeya can pull the pillow back and see at least half of his face. It's enough to show how hard he's blushing.] Shut up.
[Then he flips them both, a clumsy tangle of legs, and pins Kaeya down to the bed with a peculiar gentleness.]
Just shut up. You're insufferable. [Utterly. That's why he's kissing him of course.] How could I not have had a crush on you?
[Kaeya let out a surprised sound as he was flipped (damn it Diluc and your strength!) but then he was promptly kissed while pinned down gently.
Needless to say, he really was flattered at this revelation. Mostly because it also validated his own feelings growing up, but never having acted on those feelings because his life was complicated even before he told the other man the truth about his origins. Still, he returned the kiss and then, purposefully, grinned a toothy grin at him.]
Well, I mean, I am irresistible. I suppose it would have only been a matter of time...
[Diluc huffs, planting his palm over Kaeya's mouth for a moment before he moves it to kiss him again. Kaeya had admittedly had more reasons to smile lately and more confidence to smile like that and it would have only been a matter of time before Diluc's weakness to that particular look had been found out.]
You're terrible.
[Terrible, but very much loved regardless.
Diluc deliberately drapes his entire weight against Kaeya's chest, grinning right back at him.]
[Kaeya laughed into the huff of a groan as Diluc dropped his weight on his chest like that. But his arms managed their way around the pillow to play with that fluffy red and blue hair, still slightly damp with bath water and sweat. He only playfully smiled against against the hand over his mouth, keeping him silent for the moment.
He returned the kiss now that he was able and shrugged as best as he could while pinned down like this.]
Like you don't already have a weapon of your own. This just evens the playing field.
[Maybe he didn't want the playing field to be evened! It honestly feels like it puts him at a disadvantage, for Kaeya to know what that specific expression can trigger in him. Still, he can't really be angry about it... it would be silly to be angry about it.
He shifts his weight to settle next to Kaeya instead and presses his nose against the younger man's neck.]
Well, now you know. I'm only surprised it took you this long to figure it out.
[He grumbled a laugh, curling his arm around Diluc's shoulders to pass his fingers through the thick red mane.]
You stopped doing it when we couldn't share rooms anymore and the last four years wasn't exactly conducive to getting smacked with a pillow just for smiling...
[It's become easier to think back on those times of late. The sting that always came with reminiscing has gone as his love for this man has grown stronger, and he thinks that even if their relationship had not taken this turn they would still be able to look at their past with more fondness than before.
Diluc drops a kiss to the other man's shoulder, smiling into it.]
Yeah, yeah. Before you end up smothering me because I smiled too much.
[Kaeya teased lightly but settled in all the same. Honestly, he was a little flattered Diluc had a crush on him since their were kids. It validated his own crush, certainly.
But now was time to sleep he settled in easy as the drowsiness of the evening and their late night activities finally washed over him.]
[He's sure that they talked about it before, but he doesn't think that he told Kaeya just how far back his crush on the other man went. It was one thing to say he had had feelings for him when they were teenagers, but something else to admit that it went even further than that.]
[ And it doesn't take him long to show up because that's how he does things. He was already on his way when he asked the question; having the feeling Kaeya would tell him he could come by. He's happy to see the young man. Really happy. But he doesn't jump right in for a hug because - well, if the other is hurting he doesn't want to make anything worse. ]
Kaeya just gave him a small, rueful smile. Yeah, he wasn't so sure about that. His chest was wrapped for his cracked ribs and his knee was wrapped and splinted to keep in place while he healed. Otherwise, he had quite a few cuts and bruises and a split lip.]
Not sure I believe that even from you, but come here.
[He opened his arms up for a hug. It's fine, Venti, just don't squeeze too tight.]
[ It's true! But he's more or less just happy that Kaeya is safe and can recover from this. He has that much to be grateful for. He's gentle when he moves forward, moving to wrap his arms around the other's shoulders rather than his middle. Venti presses a soft kiss to Kaeya's temple. ]
I'm happy you're safe.
[ And he opts against asking too many questions about how it happened. Things get...crazy here sometimes. ]
[He leaned into the kiss and then let his head drop onto Venti's slim shoulder with a soft sigh.]
I hate this place sometimes.
[He kept his arms around Venti. He wasn't going back on what he told Chuuya, he wasn't blaming the man for what happened as it had been largely out of his control. But they weren't fooling themselves either, had Chuuya succeeded in killing Kaeya then he wasn't sure what would have happened with Diluc or even Venti.
He knew they wouldn't forgive Chuuya at that point. There was no coming back from that. But he also didn't exactly appreciate having yet another near death experience at the hands of someone he cared about too. His arms tightened around Venti.]
It's a wonder how this place even survived with all this nonsense happening.
[ Well, and time loops plus Sora magic. There's a lot more to it than simply because people lived. He knows that. He knows Kaeya does, too. ]
Can I join you?
[ He'll climb right in next to Kaeya and take up as little space as possible. He'll get close and cuddle up to him. He will give him all the love that he could possibly want and then some. ]
And next time, though there better not actually be a next time, I can heal you, you know? Just ask. I'd do it with everything I got. Not without questioning how, though.
[ Venti's more than happy to be snuggly with Kaeya. He crawls right into the blankets and moved an arm around the other as he tucked against him. He gave him a kiss on the top of his head. ]
You are getting in an awful lot of trouble. I'm just happy you're safe now, Kaeya.
[ And that is said sincerely. ]
Don't know what I'd do if you had been seriously injured.
What's that? Is that Adelinde coming here to scold you again for frightening the innocent child who knew nothing of Mondstadt at the time? Tsk, tsk, Diluc, you should know better!
You know Adelinde would agree if she were here. After all, she is the first person I ran to crying when you told me that lanterns contain the imprisoned souls of fireflies.
[Nevermind that now it's Kaeya who tells that story and the nuns hate him for it.]
[It's after Kaeya’s left for the day that the text comes. It's easy enough to assume it's Chuuya checking in to say hi... well, until he opens it.]
missing you this morning.
[Which might be a normal enough message from Chuuya if not for the image attached, that... certainly changes the tone of things. It looks like it was taken while he was getting ready for his day?]
[Chuuya scoops up his device when the message comes, smiling slightly at the 'good morning' notification.
Before his expression freezes at the image attachment he apparently sent. Except--]
I didn't send that!!!
[He's so glad Kaeya can't see his face right now, since the blush is only partially from the weird snafu. A bit of it is definitely at the 'that's lovely' bit.]
[He is pretty sure Diluc would be mad if he told someone that a certain kind of smile randomly flusters him.
But speaking of getting flustered, Kaeya felt his face abruptly flush when he realized that Chuuya was actually being serious. Maybe. Possibly. Kaeya had been teasing because that's just what he does and figured Chuuya was just playing along.
And it wasn't that Kaeya wouldn't date Chuuya, he just always figured that between himself and Diluc, Chuuya only had eyes for Diluc. But apparently not.]
I.
[Oops, sent that too early. Ugh, this was embarrassing.]
[In the time it takes Kaeya to send that response, Chuuya's burying his face in his hand and dying a little. That had to be the most unsmooth way to ask someone out ever--
fuck.
And yeah, okay, the lack of skill to the asking is definitely why Kaeya thinks he isn't serious, isn't it?
But he can work with this. He's nothing if not honest about how he feels.]
Absolutely serious. I wouldn't ask you out as a jest.
['Sorry, I don't have a lot of experience at this' is an excuse, so he doesn't send it. he deletes that response before sending, types again.]
You've become really important to me. I like spending time with you a whole lot, and you're so easy to talk to I forget myself sometimes. I've worried I've crossed a line for awhile, with some of the things I say... hell, things I've thought. But...
[He is never ever ever going to live down the fact that one of his first thoughts on seeing Kaeya after he tried to kill him was how beautiful he was.]
Well, it's all true. You're fun to spend time with, you're funny and smart. I lose track of time when we're hanging out. And I don't know if you realize how rare that is with me, but it's a big deal to find someone I'm that comfortable with.
And I really would like to do something special with you. If you're interested.
[Thank fuck this is over text, it means he's at least semi-coherent.]
[Sorry Chuuya. Kaeya may take awhile to reply because he is too busy dying. It wasn't any different than when Diluc would say these sorts of things to his face. He was flustered and blushing down to his chest as he left the device open in front of him and hid his face in a pillow for a few moments in order to calm down and answer.]
I'm interested. You certainly have a way with words.
[He'll probably smell it right away - the scent of his favourite food drifting through the house. Chuuya's hat, shoes and coat are missing from their spot by the door, Diluc having informed him of his plans and then not even needing to ask for some time before the other man was seeing himself out.
There's excitement and nervousness buzzing in the pit of his stomach, but he manages to keep it off his face as he meets Kaeya at the door and waits for him to finish with his jacket and boots before he gives him a kiss.]
[He hadn't meant all-out in a sense that Diluc made too much or anything of the sort. Just the fact that he could smell that there was more than one of his favorite foods in the house.
He took the box offered, very curious given he had nearly forgotten about those silly questions due to the conversation turned into his hilarious fear of aquatic birds.]
Ah, I had been wondering what could have you asking those-
[He stopped short when he got the box opened, gasping even. Oh, this was gorgeous! He held up the hairpin to the light.]
This is beautiful, Diluc. Did you want us to match one of these days?
[An affectionate tease as he eagerly went to the kitchen table and held it out for Diluc as he sat down.]
[He rearranges Kaeya's hair before he takes the pin, making sure there's enough for him to push it into, then he plucks it from Kaeya's hand and sets it into his hair with a smile.]
I knew you'd like it. It looks beautiful.
[As Kaeya always does.]
There's something I've been wanting to talk to you about, as well. [His voice wavers faintly on the last word. Diluc clears his throat and turns away to attend to his cooking.] Something important.
[Kaeya was still thinking this was all an early birthday thing and he waited patiently as Diluc rearranged his hair to get set the ornament in. He was quite pleased and the food smelled amazing. It didn't all appear to be done yet, but he could wait.
He tilted his head in curiosity.]
Oh? This sounds serious. I'm not in trouble, am I?
[The room didn't grow tense and he didn't get that feeling from Diluc, he doubted he was. He let out a soft laugh, propping his chin on the table with his hands.]
[Diluc is rarely so roundabout when Kaeya is in trouble, though the two of them rarely argue about too much anymore and even more rarely anything serious. He looks over his shoulder to where the other man is sitting and smiles, chuckling at his innocent expression.]
I've just been thinking... about what happens when we go home. [It's inevitable. They both know it, but it's not something they allow to hang over their relationship. Simply enjoying things in the now is something that they have both learned together. Diluc has never really brought it up.] I've been so happy with you here, Kaeya, and it isn't something I want to lose.
[He takes a breath, and turns around with one hand pushed into a pocket.]
You know, I'd not given too much thought about spending the rest of my life with somebody. There were always other things... other priorities that would always come first. I didn't think I'd find someone who would be able to understand that. But... [A few more strands of his hair flush blue.] You do. You always did. You understand me better than anyone.
[That's why Kaeya was simply all smiles and curiosity, instead of tense and anxious.
He froze a little, at the mention of what might happen when they go home. If they go home. There was a chance they lose what they had here, wasn't there? But Kaeya wasn't following why it was being brought up, they generally didn't think too hard on it. It was something for them to worry about if or when it happened.
His eye followed Diluc's hand for a moment, before blinking back up to the other man. He was confused by now, but there was a flutter in his stomach as he watched more blue flush into Diluc's red hair.]
Ah... you... er, well, we did grow up together. That much was always a given. You taught just about everything I know. Stands to reason I'd know you well.
[He did have it planned out in his head. What he'd say. How he'd say it. But all of that unfortunately went right out of the window the moment Kaeya walked into the house. Diluc is entirely winging it right now and just hoping it makes sense.]
... Mmn. You know me, you make me the happiest I've ever been, and that's why--
[That's why--
He closes the distance between them and takes Kaeya's left hand with his free one. He squeezes it, rubs his thumb over the other man's knuckles, then kneels down next to the chair. His hand comes out of his pocket, holding a slim ring.]
I want to make a promise to you, right now, that-- that when we go back, I'm going to ask you to marry me. And I hope you'll say yes.
[As soon as Diluc knelt down beside him, Kaeya felt his face from the tips of his ears down to his chest. It wasn't exactly a marriage proposal, but a promise of one for when they returned home. He wanted to ask what if they never did go home, but he couldn't find it in himself to ask. Because he wanted to believe, too. That it was simply a matter of when, not if, they go home.
He found his vision blurring, eyes welling with tears and easily spilling over. He didn't quite know what to say, his words caught in his throat. So, he nodded. Vigorously.]
Yes.
[His chest hiccuped right then, embarrassingly. But he couldn't do much else right now. He couldn't even see the ring properly and he reached up with his other hand to scrub at his eyes.]
[Never is a long time. Perhaps, if another year from now they were still here and still happy, he would revisit the idea of waiting until they returned to Mondstadt. He had not truly expected that Kaeya would say no, but as that choked out agreement leaves him Diluc feels a snapping of tension that he had barely realised was there. He breathes out a laugh, pushes the ring in his hand up onto Kaeya's finger, then shifts up to kiss him warmly.]
I love you so much.
[He stands, though he's still bent over as he cups Kaeya's face in both hands and kisses him again, and again.]
So emotional. What am I going to do with you?
[Never mind that Diluc sounds just on the edge of tears as well.]
[But he let out a wet laugh despite the whine. He shoved his eyepatch off to properly scrub at his eyes but he really couldn't stop crying at how happy he felt.
Kaeya simply gave up and wrapped his arms around Diluc. His voice was muffled now into his shoulder.]
[It's a little awkward to lean down and hug him like this, but Diluc wraps his arms around his partner and nuzzles fondly against the side of his neck with a warm smile.]
You wouldn't know what was going on if I stopped teasing you. [He says as he cups the back of the other man's head and presses a few kisses along his hairline and against his temple.]
[He couldn't deny that if Diluc stopped teasing he wouldn't know what was going on. It was just how their relationship worked these days and he wouldn't have it any other way.
He pulled back with a huff and a sniffle.]
'm going to go clean my face while you finish up with dinner. It smells nice.
[He looked very embarrassed now, but he wasn't regretting it. But he also didn't want to continue looking like a mess, even if seeing the ring was threatening to make another fresh wave of tears fall.]
[When it comes down to it, that all went... pretty much entirely to plan. Diluc stands up to let Kaeya up as well, then lands a kiss on one of his damp cheeks before he can get too far away.
While he's gone he finishes cooking and setting out the plates, and when the other man gets back he will find a meal waiting for him and Diluc seated, ready to open a bottle of wine.]
[Kaeya cleaned himself up in the bathroom, the cool water helping with the warmth in his eyes as he got himself to calm down over the whole thing. This wasn't a marriage proposal, but it was a promise of one. There was always the chance of their return home, after all, and it made more sense for it to happen there than here.
But both had been here for well over a year now. There was no hint of when they would go home. The promise made sense and perhaps something to revisit the following year.
With that thought, Kaeya felt himself finally calm down enough to walk back to the kitchen to find the dinner already set and plated and a fresh bottle of wine ready to be opened.]
This looks wonderful, Diluc. Am I to assume this is in combination with my birthday tomorrow?
[He does consider that maybe he should not have sprung it on Kaeya like that, but... in the end, he did want it to be a surprise. Of course it does occur to him that regardless of how he had gone about it Kaeya would have never seen it coming anyway. He's just like that.
Once the other man comes back everythihng is ready, and Diluc is waiting. He smiles brightly when his partner enters the room.]
No, of course not. I did it today to keep it from overshadowing your birthday.
[The thought had occurred to him to do it then, but he had decided against it.]
But I promise there are no more emotional shocks in store.
[Kaeya couldn't help but comment wryly even as he smiled. He still had no plans for tomorrow, though.
At least he could spend it relaxing, maybe. Admire the ring way too much. Get some good, hot food and maybe a slice of cake. Kaeya was never one to bring attention when it came to his birthday.]
I love you, Diluc.
[Kaeya felt his face grow warm and he looked away, playing a little with the ornament in his hair.]
[Tomorrow, Kaeya was going to get to spend the day being utterly spoiled by Diluc and he was going to like it. It would probably be easier to make him give in, since he'd likely still be reeling from this little surprise.
No overdoing it, but he would be getting a lot of attention from his boyfriend.]
I love you too, Kaeya.
[He reaches across the table to take hold of his hand and gives it a gentle squeeze. Diluc can see how overwhelmed he is. It's easy to read it.] Shall I open the wine? It's one of the bottles I was hiding from Venti.
[Chuuya had been telling the truth when he admitted to Kaeya he's never really 'done this' before. A real, proper date with someone special to him.
The closest he's probably managed is asking a coworker out for some casual drinks and the occasionally just as casual sex that happened afterwards. It's never meant anything.
And this thing with Kaeya is just the opposite. Which means he's nervous about everything.
He might have bugged Diluc for tips on what and what not to do, and fussed over his wardrobe more than a little. He'd spent a few days debating on if flowers would be too much for a first date, and what type. He checked various restaurants and locations, trying to find a place he thought Kaeya would definitely enjoy.
So on the day of, when he shows up at Diluc and Kaeya's place, he's doing his best to seem collected and self-assured. He knocks on the door with a small bouquet of winter flowers in blues, whites and purples in his hand, dressed sharply in a black jacket and vest, with a shirt a rich shade of red.
There's a bright smile on his face when Kaeya opens the door, but there is no hiding the slight flush to his cheeks that betrays the nervous energy buzzing through him.] Hey.
[Kaeya was also quite nervous. This was probably one of the first genuine dates he had been on in a long time. Not that he hadn't gone out with others before, but it had been months since the last time, he wagered. Like, full on, dressing up and all that kind of date.
But, he managed to keep it together as he slid the door opened. He was dressed in a similar manner rather than the Eastern styles he had adopted lately. A rich blue vest with a white shirt and coat. Unbottoned, of course, even in the cooler weather. He smiled brightly and reached out for the flowers.]
Hello. For me?
[His hair was also pulled up in a high ponytail. Most of his bangs fell to one side, the rest pinned by decorations in the shape of shells. Actual shells, too. Diluc had found some small enough and sturdy enough, in a solid color, to have crafted into hair accessories.]
[When Kaeya opens the door, the first thing he notices is his hair: Something about the ponytail, the decorations... it gives him a different air than usual, draws the eyes to his bright smile and his lovely gaze. It distracts Chuuya from his nervousness for just a moment, all his focus settling on Kaeya instead.
Though the pause between Kaeya's words and Chuuya's response is noticeable, because of it.]
Yeah. A lil bird told me roses were off limits, and those're cliche anyway. But I thought these flowers suited you.
[He hands the flowers to Kaeya, a giddy light in his eyes.]
[He chuckled quietly as he sniffed the flowers. Roses weren't exactly off-limits, but he definitely didn't care for them all that much. Kaeya then blushed slightly at the compliment, hiding his face behind the flowers for a moment.]
Thank you. I could say the same about you. In fact...
[He got his wits about him and lowered the flowers to lean forward. Yes, he was using his height to his advantage.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
text; un: bard
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It didn't sound fine.
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We cleared the air, that’s all.
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If that's the case, you won't mind me coming over.
Without wine.
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[Of course, the without the wine part let him know it likely wouldn’t be the usual. That was fine as Kaeya was hardly in the mood for that.]
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Kaeya.
[ There's none of the typical tease in his tone. It's just -- a call for his attention. ]
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[His voice was muffled since he had his face in a pillow, face down and trying to figure out if what happened the other day actually happened. He dressed in a loose shirt and pants, making it clear he never got out of bed since waking up.
There was a very familiar red streak of hair cutting through the dark blue of his hair, all the way down the rat tail.]
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[ He says it again as he navigates to the bedroom and steps inside. That streak of hair stands out and he won't call it out, not yet. But he'll approach the bed and sit down beside Kaeya. ]
Hey. So, are you okay for real?
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I’m not feeling bad, if that’s what you’re asking. And before you ask, Diluc didn’t hit me. This was just an unfortunate incident down in the lower markets.
I’m okay. Just have a lot to think about.
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[ He brushes his fingers over his hair, sighing deeply. He wouldn't have thought Diluc would have hit Kaeya, anyway. From what he could discern from what he had witnessed, the fists would have thrown instead of the shouting, anyway. ]
Do you? You don't have to tell me anything, but if you want to - you can.
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[He laughed self-deprecatingly. He quietly took Venti’s hand and tugged him over. He wasn’t sure why but the sudden need to hold him was strong. He shoved the covers down a little bit to let Venti in.]
He’s willing to give me a chance. He even stayed for dinner. I’m having a hard time believing it’s real.
[His hair also began to glow teal at the tips, not quite overshadowing the streak of red but it certainly seemed to compliment it as much as teal, red, and blue could.]
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I'm glad. That's a lot already, isn't it?
[ He lets out a soft, airy laugh. ]
I tried to talk to him already but it didn't well - it didn't go anywhere.
[ Rejected. ]
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Are you getting married or something, Venti? This is new. I hope I’m not getting in between you and someone else.
[He chuckled mildly, his other hand curling under Venti to run his fingers through the shorter hair.]
He probably thinks the same thing I do. Give him a few days and try again.
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[ He looks confused for a moment - oh yeah, ring. It's new and he forgets and it's easy for him to not think about it. ]
Oh! [ Oh, that's it. ] No, I'm not getting married. The are kizuna powered and help us find each other if needed. I mean, I am dating someone, but I wouldn't be here if it wasn't okay.
[ There's an easy laugh at that because of the immediate concern. Venti, on the other hand, doesn't even consider the possibility that Xiao could get upset with him over this. He lets out an easy, happy sigh. ]
I'll let him have his space. I made him pretty mad.
[ Big Chaotic Energy. ]
For the record, I'm not here because of him, though. I'm here because of you.
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[He pressed his lips to those pale knuckles, laughing quietly against them before settling. His smile dropped a little as he sighed.]
I figured, but good to know. He’s probably going to be like that for a few days. I probably won’t be any different.
It’s what I’ve wanted but I just… I think a part of me was always resigned.
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[ Note to self later. Right now, it's about Kaeya and that's why he's here. There's a soft, amused sound when Kaeya kisses his knuckles. He brings his hands up and gently strokes the other's hair, attention focused on him as he lays there comfortably. ]
Resigned to not getting that? It seems like a pretty big...step.
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[A Yaksha was definitely right up that alley, not that Kaeya knew about Xiao or his like.
He sighed softly, shrugged in that careless way again.]
I’m not one to give up, but I also know how stubborn Diluc could be. If I was going to spend the rest of my days poking the bear and hoping Diluc didn’t change his mind about ratting me out then… ahh, seems I never told you why we went from brothers to enemies, have I?
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[ Venti wanted them all to get along. The boyfriend he cared for and the friends and people from home. He couldn't guarantee that they would, but he wanted to be optimistic all the same. He moves his hand to Kaeya's face, brushing bangs out of the way, letting out a soft sigh. ]
You didn't. But -- I never asked, I guess. I always tried to be very hands-off, but I see you guys as my friends, not just... my people. I guess.
[ Is that even the proper way. ]
And I think as friends, if you want to share, I'm happy to hear it.
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I’ve kept it under wraps for so long, it’s a… bit tricky to suddenly willingly share. Last time I did… well, you know.
[He absently rubbed his eye beneath the patch.]
It’ll have to be abridged. Some of this is actually not my story to tell.
[He waited a few more moments, gathering his thoughts and settling a bit more. He also looked quite nervous at this point.]
I’m not just from Khaenri’ah. I was… planted in Mondstadt. I had a mission, I am… was? the last hope for our people. Being taken in by the Ragvindr’s wasn’t exactly by chance but they never knew. All these years and I heard nothing from my father or anyone, not since he left me on the side of the road. So, I grew up and learned how much I really loved the people of Mondstadt.
When… when our father died, I couldn’t keep the secret inside anymore. I needed to tell Diluc, he deserved to know. Our father’s death, as selfish as it was for me to think, was a relief because I was able to finally make the choice. I just made the mistake of telling Diluc not too long after… ah, well not too long after Crepus’ death. I knew he would be angry and upset but I essentially added betrayal to the mix.
[He couldn’t talk about the Knighr’s cover up, because he would have to tell more that he didn’t have the right to tell. He sighed, rolling onto his back and rubbing his forehead.]
Diluc has kept the secret all this time and he was the only one I told. I don’t believe I have to tell you that nothing about this can leave this room, right?
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seemed to love Mondstadt. ]
I know you're from Khhaenri'ah, but I've always saw you as one of mine.
[ Which is a way to say it, and he wonders if it is the right way to say it. But it's been said now, and he won't go back on it. Because, of anything he can think of, it's the most accurate way for him to describe how he feels about Kaeya's presence in Mondstadt. He's never really seen him as... anything but a person who loved his city of freedom. ]
Kaeya - I won't say a word. I promise.
[ He lifts a hand, brushing his thumb over the eyepatch. ]
I'm good at keeping secrets.
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Thank you. I'm happy to hear that, Venti.
[Not just the keeping secrets but that Venti didn't seem to mind what he just heard. At the very least, he seemed to believe him when he said he loved the place he grew up in. He knew one day his past would come back, he wasn't foolish enough to completely let it go. But for now, he could cherish what he had.
He didn't push Venti's hand away.]
And that's why Diluc and I had been at odds since he returned. And why I'm having trouble believing that this is happening.
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Did I wake you up when I texted?
[ He sighs. ]
You guys being at odds is so normal. When you start getting along better, you'll stun us all.
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[Kaeya didn’t try to push Venti’s hand away. It wasn’t something he wanted to show but he also couldn’t really tell himself that Venti didn’t deserve to see it. After all, it was his and his fellow archons who helped in the fall of his home. He didn’t even think of this in a malicious sense, he just never quite knew what the archons, new and old, thought now of the small amount of people left behind in the wake of the destruction, those Kaeya himself called sinners. It was a very matter of fact thought, but all the same, he conflicted and the confict stayed his hand.]
I didn’t sleep all that much to be honest. Cleaned myself up and then decided the bed was awfully inviting still.
[He chuckled.]
You seem so confident it’ll work out.
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[ He doesn't blame the other. Truth being what it was, he hasn't forgotten what had happened, but he still - Khhaenri'ah was a tricky subject for him. And of his old friends, only Morax was still here. But he wasn't sure it mattered, it wasn't something that they talked about, anyway. He doesn't bring it up, though. Kaeya made his choice - Mondstadt. And that's what matters to Venti.
Kaeya is one of his. ]
I'm confident because you're both good men who have handled something tough already. You did good! It makes me happy.
[ Because he wants the people he cares about to be happy. ]
You guys had the freedom and you made a choice only you could make.
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[Kaeya heaved a heavy sigh and turned back onto his side only to press his face into Venti's chest, snaking his arms around the thin waist to hold close. Needless to say, he didn't feel like a good man. The last few days, the tattoos, it's all taken a bit of a toll on him.
Not to mention that, as the reality sank in, Kaeya realized he was utterly terrified. Not just of failing this promise he made, but of the future as well. It wasn't so much if his secret got out, Diluc and Venti would have to tell or perhaps another archon who was there that day would have to see him or what if one of those 'sinners' show up and he finally has to act on his mission?
It was a lot.]
Doesn't make it any less frightening.
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I can't imagine it does. But - it's working out. Celebrate the small victories, Kaeya!
[ He sounds...almost cheerful. Almost. Not quite the same high energy you expect from Venti at the mention of a celebration. ]
Don't be so hard on yourself, too.
[ He thinks Kaeya is well loved by the people of Mondstadt. There's no reason for him to think of himself as anything less. Venti fully relaxes, cuddling up against Kaeya feels nice. ]
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[Kaeya hadn't really expected to let this get to him as much as it had, but it was a huge step in his relationship with Diluc. It had been in shambles before but now... now they were willing to pick the pieces back up. It was as exciting as it was frightening.
He heaved a sigh and then placed a kiss on Venti's neck, right at the junction between his neck and shoulders.]
Thank you for checking on me. I think I needed this.
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Of course. You're my friend, Kaeya.
[ Just like that - that simple. ]
Next time I catch you I'm just going to use wind to knock you both over though.
[ So maybe you'll take a moment to think. ]
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So, he remained awake. He snorted softly in laughter.]
Knocking us on our asses probably won't solve the problem, you know. As funny as that would be.
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[ Or - He giggles at the thought. ]
Or they get the wind knocked out of them and they can't talk, which if you can't talk, you can't fight.
[ He brushed his fingers over the side of Kaeya's head, thumb brushing over that eyepatch again. He wonders if it's comfortable. He wonders a lot about this eyepatch, but he's trying not to push too hard right now so he doesn't ask, even if he wants to. He'll continue brushing his fingers through Kaeya's hair and then -- ]
Let me braid your hair sometime.
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He didn't push Venti's hand away. He wasn't quite ready to reveal that much just yet, as much as he did trust Venti. It was a part of himself that generally always remained hidden. Although he suspected for a long while that his father knew exactly what was under the eyepatch and knew exactly who and what he was. But Kaeya never had any proof and Crepus only showed unconditional love toward him, so it wasn't something he outright tried to uncover on his own and now... well, he never would be able to.
He sighed softly, hiding his face again in Venti's chest. As funny as the image was from Venti's suggestion, the anxiety in his stomach was still going strong and the safe feeling he got being in Venti's arms was not lost on him.]
And why do you want to braid my hair?
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[ As if to emphasize, from where he is, he moves his fingers over the long strands of hair on the back of Kaeya's head. He lets the man stay tucked against him for as long as he wants. If he can bring a small bit of comfort here? Well, he'll do it. So he'll continue to joke and play with the things he says. ]
And don't you want over two-thousand years of experience braiding your hair? You can trust me to make it look great.
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[He pulled his face back to lift up one of Venti's, pretending to scrutinize it. And yes, he did just imply that he regularly lets Klee play with his hair.]
Yeah, I'm not seeing the experience.
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[ He huffs, pouting a little bit at that. How dare Kaeya suggest he can't one-up a young child with braids. ]
My hair looks amazing. I style it daily.
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I never said it didn't look good, dear Venti. You can play with my hair if you want, though. I won't stop you. Want to do it now?
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[ His eyes light up bright, and Kaeya may notice the blue tint that seems to overtake them when he answers. He smiles into that small kiss on that pouted lip and sighs. ]
That means you're going to have to roll over.
[ Not that this is the first time Kaeya has heard Venti say that. ]
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It might be best if I'm upright, but also, I can see your cute face as you braid my hair.
[He patted the bed in front of him, brushing his hair over his shoulder. Hm, it might need to be brushed first.]
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[ He thinks he can play innocent as he shifts to sit up and his eyes move to Kaeya's hair. True, he does like the idea of sitting like this, facing the other. And it could be nice to bond. He reaches up a hand to move a few fingers through the strands of hair.
Yeah, it might need a brush. ]
I have to assume you have a brush for your amazing hair, Kaeya. If you tell me where it is I'll get it for you.
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[Kaeya pointed to a small dresser at the side of the bed, smirking widely at being told he has amazing hair. He did do his best with it, even if the rat tail was unusual even for the style itself. He used to have a normal ponytail as a child, perhaps he should go back to that but ah, that would just look odd growing out and he didn't relish cutting it all off and starting over.]
If only I didn't have to brush my hair... but I suppose I have it easier compared to Diluc. Hair color swapping aside, I'm thankful this bond isn't messing with the texture.
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[ Of course he liked to hear nice things from someone he enjoyed. It made him get butterflies in his stomach that wouldn't stop fluttering. He hummed as he shifted to the edge of the bed and stood up. He made his way to the dresser so he could get the sought after hair brush. He plopped up on the bed - exactly where he was before.
He folds his legs one over the other and takes a moment to look at the other. The vibrant blues settled in his own features - from his hair to joining the green in his eyes to form some sort of ombre. Interestingly, and newly, were peacock feathers that sat at the top of his braids, forming what almost looked like two small head wings. He doesn't notice them, not yet.
He reaches for that hair of Kaeya's, and starts to gently brush it. ]
Diluc has that fluffy, cloud-like hair. It's blessed to touch and cursed to manage.
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Adorable.
[Kaeya laughed and then gently stroked those braids, thumbs lightly stroking the feathers with a considering hum. Even with the few tangles, it always felt nice to have his hair brushed.]
These are new. [He snorted softly.] Why do you think it’s in a ponytail all the time?
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[ He grins. He doesn't seem to mind the cheek getting pinched. He's comfortable across from Kaeya. He can tease him, talk honestly and earnestly, and just -- he feels himself here. There's no need for him to be on his guard or wary. No reason to be afraid. It's just -- it's easy. And having someone that's easy to be around is a must-have. ]
It's because of you.
[ He has to assume, though he can't see the features themselves. He moved the brush through Kaeya's hair slowly. He's careful if and when he encounters a tangle. He treats Kaeya's hair delicately. ]
I don't blame him.
[ Not even a little. He supposes, for a moment, he could do it if he really wanted to. But he's pretty fond of how he looks. ]
Your hair is pretty soft, Kaeya. Like...it feels good between my fingers.
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This kizuna continues to amaze me, I must say.
[He was a little surprised at the compliment. To be honest, he didn't do anything in particular to his hair aside from keeping it clean and making sure to brush it. It was naturally a bit wavy, but easy enough to manage compared to his brother's and it certainly didn't get everywhere.]
Does it now? I suppose that's one good thing about my lineage. My hair feels good even to the god, Barbatos~!
[He wasn't really trying to deflect, he just wasn't entirely sure what to make of the compliment either. Then again, Klee also really liked to play with his hair so perhaps it was just as innocent as it sounded.]
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[ He smiles, fingers moving over the pieces of hair. The hair is certainly neatly brushed, but since he's enjoying this, he just keeps it up - for a few more moments. ]
Bonds get new and interesting in how they change. I feel like...the more time I spend with someone, the more they evolve. New things are good.
[ His hands pause in Kaeya's hair. ]
It means we're closer, I think.
[ Finally, he sets the brush down and he divides the hair into three even parts. ]
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[He glanced down at his hair, the brush sliding through it. It was tri-colored at the moment, due to his bond with Diluc and Venti. Both were within range of some capacity, as though his hair was now a proximity sensor. Although, it never stayed Venti's color for very long and yet with Diluc...]
I guess so. It would explain a few things, at any rate.
[It was surreal to think that he was close with Venti, that he had formed bonds like this with Aether and Diluc as well. Kaeya was known for being someone that everyone seemed to love and admire and yet he kept everyone at arm's length. He treated everyone kindly, he could be a bit arrogant and reckless, but he got the job done and he did his job well. Mondstadt really liked him but it was near impossible to get close to him. The only person who had that privilege had disowned him four years prior.
But even that bond was returning. He placed his elbow on his knee, cheek in hand as he continued watch Venti's fingers work masterfully.]
Do you like it here? Compared to Teyvat?
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I like the bonds I have here. I'm connected to Teyvat, but I wouldn't change what I have here.
[ His attention lifted up to Kaeya. ]
I have you, Diluc, Jean... I have my oldest friend, Zhongli, here. I have Xiao here. Oh - he's the one who has the other ring in this set. He's from Liyue, too.
I don't think I could have what I have here at home.
[ Like - well, someone he loves. ]
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I agree. I'm... not so sure Diluc and I would have proposed a truce had we still been home. Or maybe it would have just taken longer, I don't know. I can't say I don't want it though, considering my hair would just out the lie before I even tried.
[It was with a wry smile that he said this. He sighed softly, leaning his chin on his hand, probably his elbow on a folded knee.]
I'm just not sure about these bonds as a whole though, there's a lot we don't know about them.
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[ He moves delicately as he braids the other's hair. Enjoying the feel of it under his finger tips. He feels...good with Kaeya because the other makes him happy. He's special to Venti, and he likes that he barely has to say a word to say it, too. ]
Especially...when someone is hard to read. Or understand.
[ Like Xiao. Like Diluc. Like Zhongli sometimes, too. ]
To see the effect I have on someone so clearly...it speaks of a truth that words sometimes can't tell me. I think you and Diluc would have gotten there in time. Just...all it would take is time.
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[Kaeya gave Venti a smile though as the other continued to braid down his hair. He understood what Venti meant. Diluc couldn't deny their bond anymore because of how visible it was. It allowed for things to start when it likely would have taken a bit more time.
He just wasn't sure he appreciated the speed yet. It all seemed to move so fast!]
I like our bond. Yours and mine. It's... been a very long time since I could feel like myself around someone. No pretenses, no façades, no lies... it feels almost foreign to me.
[It scared him as much as it excited him, but he had to temper himself nonetheless. It was only around Venti right now that he acted like this. Even his bond with Aether didn't allow this much just yet.]
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[ He's getting towards the end of Kaeya's hair, and he starts to move his hands slowly, only half-focused on the braid he's working on. Instead, his attention is on Kaeya's face. He's watching him - the way he expresses himself. The way he responds to everything he says -- without needing the words. ]
I tend to love in the most wholesome way one can as a god. I love my people wholly, no matter who they are or what they've done. Because they are my people. Because they are human and I love humans.
[ He pauses his hands. ]
But I love you as a person. As my friend. It's not just because you're my people or a human. It's because you're Kaeya. I love you because you're Kaeya.
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[Kaeya said softly, turning his head slightly to gaze out the window for the moment. He listened to Venti's words, but he supposed he would never truly understand them. Love was a complicated thing and people reacted to it differently. Moreover, Venti was a god and a god's mind was different than a human's, at the end of the day.]
But I'm glad you do. It's comforting. I rather like Mondstadt, after all. It wouldn't do if its god didn't at least like me back.
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[ He supposes what he said was reassuring enough, so he just utters the word back quietly. Maybe is better than no he supposes. But only by a slim margin. He's right to know that how Venti thinks probably is nothing like that of a mortal. He can pretend to be a human, and is even good at being one now, but he's never actually been one. ]
Well, that's never a concern you'll have to have. I can't think of a reason I'd dislike you. Ever. Unless you steal one of my drinks from me.
[ He's teasing. ]
But then I might just hold a grudge for awhile.
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[He made sure to put on his finest
smoulderpout that, when he was younger, had much of the Ragnvindr staff give in to his requests (usually for more sweets, to be honest).]no subject
Hm - probably.
[ He's teasing, of course. He probably couldn't resist Kaeya's face if the other pouted at him and looked as adorable as he does now. Especially if he was sincerely doing it.]
I'd put my best foot forward. Ah - I'm done, by the way.
[ With his hair, of course. ]
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A very good braid. I guess this is better than Klee's.
[His smile widened.]
Perhaps I should leave it like this. It would certainly get less tangled this way.
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[ He moves his fingers gently over the completed braid. ]
I won't tell you how to keep your hair, but it does look nice on you.
[ He leaned up to place a soft kiss on Kaeya's cheek. ]
Although, to be fair, you're always really attractive. And no, I'm not just flattering you.
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I'm teasing, Venti. But I will admit, it would probably look better if I had more hair. But thank you for the not flattery.
[He chuckled quietly, taking the hairbrush to place back on the dresser for now.]
Would you mind staying here a little while longer, though?
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[ He is comfortable here waiting for Kaeya to return, watching the other with a bright smile. ]
I'll stay as long as you'll have me.
[ He'll let Kaeya decide when he wants him to leave. ]
And I think...in time, you'll have more to braid.
Forward-dated to September 30
[But he can't just ignore all of this. Kaeya means too much to him for that -- perhaps more so now than back in Teyvat. He'll just have to hope that this is the right choice.]
Kaeya, are you free right now?
I'm a little late, but I did promise I'd tell you everything, didn't I?
Can we meet somewhere private?
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[ROMANTIC-- but also, far from anywhere they could easily be overheard.]
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I’ll see you there.
[Of course he’s going to try and keep it lighthearted even as he is now feeling quite anxious. He had only ever told someone the truth once before and that ended incredibly poorly. He hoped the same didn’t happen here.
Still, he knows of the park Aether is talking about. He lived in Kyoto so it took a little bit of time for him to arrive but arrive he did. He raised a hand in greeting.]
Hey.
1/2
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[After all-- he has no idea how Kaeya will react to what he's learned of her back in Teyvat. And as much as he'd like to just push it all away and pretend it never happened and never will happen, it wouldn't feel right to hide it from Kaeya.]
[When Kaeya arrives, he'll find Aether sitting peacefully on the grass, gaze pointed at the stars. And when he sees Kaeya, he smiles -- his hair immediately fading to an icy blue at the ends.]
Hey, yourself. Sorry to make you come out all this way.
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[Kaeya wasn't exactly fond of the five hour train ride but aside from meeting in the middle somewhere or making Aether come all the way to Kyoto, there wasn't much choice. Besides, he could always just browse the Markets or something to pass the time before the next train out.
Well, depending on how long this conversation will be. They had a lot to tell. So, he sat down and leaned back on his hands. The rat tail faded to blond at the tips, the ombre reaching about halfway.]
So, did something happen to suddenly remind you of this? I admit, I almost forgot myself.
[More like he had been stalling.]
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It's not like I forgot. It's just-- there's a lot. So I was trying to think of the best way to approach it, but... things have changed a little.
[There's a smile on his face, as he turns and looks at Kaeya -- his heart doing a little flutter in his chest when he sees the blond strands woven through the end of his hair.]
My sister is here now.
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Oh? Looks like your search is over, then, I'm glad!
[He reached out and ruffled that blond hair of his, pleased at the icy blue appearing at the braided tip.]
I'll have to meet her, sometime.
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I'd love to introduce you to her. She and I are pretty similar, so I'm sure you'll get along.
[Not that this is really what he came to talk about. Maybe he has been stalling, worried about what he might learn, or perhaps worried about what Kaeya might think. After all, even now, those words spoken to him in his soul can't help but linger in the back of his mind sometimes -- even if the reality of that particular situation had been rather different from what Kaeya saw.]
[His smile wanes then, as he turns his gaze up towards the sky. Somehow, it always felt easier to talk when sitting beneath the stars like this.]
But... she's part of the reason I knew I had to talk to you as soon as possible.
[...]
Because she might be able to tell that you're from Khaenri'ah when she meets you.
I coulda swore I tagged this! Ugh.
Did he do something wrong?
...
Ah.
So, it was that. Of all things, Kaeya honestly hadn't expected that. He couldn't help the soft sigh and this time, his hand did leave Aether's hair completely to rest on the ground beside them. He leaned back, resting both hands on the grass.
The blond was also beginning to recede a little from his hair.]
And just what does my unfortunate heritage have to do with your sister, Aether?
[While he knew he promised he would explain himself to Aether about Khaenri'ah, there was something cold about his tone of voice that he hadn't planned to have now there was another variable in the mix. Venti knew what he was from the very beginning and Diluc also knew, but kept his secret despite their previous animosity. Those who knew or already knew, had their reasons for knowing.
Aether's sister did not (as far as he was aware, anyway) and he wasn't sure what to do about that.]
Kyaa
[But with the new memories he's received since their promise to talk, it just felt wrong not to tell him everything. Even if telling him everything might break what trust he's managed to earn thus far.]
Right now, she's missing memories of Teyvat. Of everything that happened after we were separated. I still don't know what happened to her in that time either, but...
[...]
Whatever happened... led her to become the Princess that's currently leading the Abyss Order.
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However, it sort of slotted things into place for Kaeya.
He opened his mouth to speak, and then thought better of it. Instead, he leaned forward to cross his arms and tap his chin in thought. It would be best he organized his thoughts first because that was definitely a hell of a bombshell to drop.
But it did, possibly, maybe, explain one thing. It could very well be why he had heard practically nothing from his father or anyone from his family since he'd been planted with the Ragnvindrs. Was it because they had found Aether's sister and found she could do better what he was supposedly destined to do? Being the "last hope", as his father put it. He clicked his tongue with a scowl.]
Well, that certainly explains a lot. [He sighed, running a hand through his hair.] I suppose it's my turn and to give you context. But I need to be very clear, Aether. What I tell you here stays between us, only two others know and the fewer people that know, the better. Do you understand?
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[Something about that is almost immediately alarming. Had there been clues leading up to this? Did Kaeya already know about Dain? About the connection between Khaerni'ah and the Abyss Order?]
[He's not expecting Kaeya to ask to switch off, but-- he'll hear him out. And so, he nods.]
I won't tell anyone about what we talk about tonight. And... I'd hope you'd offer me the same.
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[Where to begin. It was easier with Venti, who had already known who Kaeya was just by looking at him. Hell, this felt easier with Diluc despite what the aftermath was. He shook his head.]
As you already surmised, I am from Khaenri'ah. One of the few remaining from that place, although I have no idea how many remain now. The rest have long since become a part of the Abyss Order, likely through the curse that helped destroy the last dynasty. [Now came the tough part... he sighed heavily, clearing his thoughts.] I was planted in Mondstadt. The Ragnvindrs found me and raised me as one of their own, but it was no accident that they found a lost little boy in the woods. My father left me there as "the last hope" of Khaenri'ah. To infiltrate Mondstadt in order to help bring revenge for what happened during the cataclysm.
And no, Diluc and his father didn't know at the time. Diluc's father sadly never knew, I only told Diluc after our father passed and, as you can now guess, it's why we were at each other's throats.
I never heard from my actual father or anyone from Khaenri'ah since I was put in Mondstadt and eventually came to love and protect Mondstadt as if I were a native of the place. [He leaned back on his hands again, looking up at the starry night sky.] And I suppose in the end, it didn't matter. I'd heard that something had renewed the Abyss Order's vigor for revenge. I just never knew what and it wasn't like they were willing to tell me despite my obvious Khaenri'ahn looks. Considering I'm part of the Knights, it's likely they think I've turned traitor to them. If your sister is somehow leading them, then yes, it does explain a few things. Not everything, but...
[He turned to Aether, eyebrows raised in question and a small shrug.]
So, now you know. I'm a traitor to two nations and in the end, I'll have a choice to make now that your sister is apparently moving forward with whatever plans the Order has. Whenever it comes to fruition, anyway. [He laughed humorlessly.] I'll understand if you don't trust me anymore. Diluc certainly doesn't, although I appreciate that he hasn't told Jean and the others and if you don't mind, I'd like to keep it that way.
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[But while it answers some questions he's long had about just why a rift exists between Kaeya and Diluc, at least to some extent, it only spawns further questions. Kaeya, left in Mondstadt as Khaenri'ah's last hope... but then, what was the Abyss Order doing? What of Lumine's plans to fight destiny? Or of the mechanized God, that's seemingly been in the works for decades, if not longer? What kind of "hope" could they have, with a plan like that?]
[Could there be two factions working for different causes? ]
[It feels like too much to wrap his brain around right now. But maybe, with everything out in the open, they might just figure things out, at least a little.]
...why wouldn't I trust you, when you're trusting me with all of this?
[The thought doesn't even cross his mind. It would take a lot to shake the trust that Aether has in Kaeya. Surely if he had any ill-intentions towards him, he would have taken advantage of that while diving into his soul. For all that it was hardly a positive experience, in the end, it did leave a positive impression.]
But there's a part of the story that you're missing. Because there's no way my sister joined the Abyss Order recently.
It's possible... she's been with them from the very start.
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Nonetheless, there was a warmth in his chest at the answer and the blond ombre returned to his hair, sliding upward and fading midway.
He let out a self-deprecating laugh.]
Diluc didn’t once I told him, although there were other extenuating circumstances at play, I’ll admit. But I couldn’t really blame him, I expected the anger.
[But there were plenty other things he didn’t expect and it wasn’t his story to tell. He already said enough in regards to Diluc, anything more would overstep his place.
He listened to Aether’s reasoning to why Kaeya was wrong in his theory and he let out a thoughtful hum. It wasn’t that he disagreed with Aether, he certainly didn’t know enough or as much as he would like to even be able to say that. It was merely a calculation based on the Order’s recent movements. That being said…]
Define "from the start".
[It was Aether’s turn.]
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...you already know part of the story, from when you were in my soul. My sister and I aren't from Teyvat, or... even the same world. Before that, we'd visited countless worlds together, traveling through the skies like a pair of shooting stars.
[A metaphor that may be more literal than anything.]
I don't know how much time Lumine spent on Teyvat before she woke me up. But my first memories were of her pulling me out of the meteorite we arrived in, and... telling me that the gods destroyed Khaenri'ah and threw the world into chaos. And that we had to leave.
[Which answers why Lumine might recognize Kaeya's heritage -- as she may very well have been there during Khaenri'ah's height, as well as during its destruction.]
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With the fall of the Dynasty, there was no ruler anymore. So, they would need a new one. But what about Aether’s sister made her be the prime candidate? Actually, the fact that she wasn’t originally Khaenri’ahn would easily mean she can’t fall to the curse so he supposed that would make the answer obvious. But there had to be more to it than that, not all of the Abyss Order were mindless monsters.
Kaeya shook his head and took a deep breath.]
That’s certainly a lot to think about. But if she’s firmly on the side of Khaenri’ah, then what threat would my being Khaenri’ahn pose? Being part of the Knights aside.
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When we tried to leave, but were stopped by a god who called herself the "sustainer of heavenly principles".
[The powerful being who appeared for only an instant at the end of his dive into Aether's soul. With a title like that, just who could it be?]
I was captured and sealed away. I lost all of my original powers, and... spent the next 500 years trapped in a nightmare. But Lumine... I don't know what happened to her. But whatever happened changed her enough to where... when we finally did meet again on Teyvat, she didn't even look happy to see me.
[The way he so quickly glosses over what he was subjected to in that time isn't unintentional. Because for him, none of it compares to how much it hurt to finally find Lumine, only to be brushed off.]
[He's been holding himself together so far, but this-- this causes a tremble to his voice, as his hands tighten into fists.]
I don't want her to remember any of it. Maybe it's not the right thing to do, to keep it from her, but I... I can't lose her again.
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I once said, during the lowest point of my life, that Teyvat was truly fascinating. And I didn't mean that in a good way.
[Regardless of where his allegiance lied, one thing was still pretty clear. Khaenri'ah's fall was an incredible tragedy that should not have happened. Perhaps it would have fallen on its own due to Gold and her Khemia, but with the gods intervening as well...
There was just a lot to unpack there and even he didn't know the complete story given how young he was when he learned of it. The rest of his days having been filled with much more happiness than he could have ever hoped for once he was taken in to the Ragnvindrs.]
I can't promise that we won't meet, Aether.
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[But to think this happiness could still be ripped away from him someday, like waking from a dream... he doesn't know if his heart could handle that.]
I'm not asking you to avoid her. I don't think that would be possible anyway. And-- I don't want to lose you, either.
[Since realistically, taking Lumine somewhere far away in the land of Nippon where he'd never see his friends from Teyvat again is really the only means he'd have of ensuring she'd never remember. But just the thought of that is too sad to seriously consider.]
Just... I don't know if she ever would, but if she ever asks... if her memories ever start coming back... don't say anything about it to her. Not about Khaenri'ah, or the Abyss Order, or... anything they're involved with.
The only reason I remembered finding her on Teyvat at all is because I was talking about her with someone. And the memories just suddenly came back to me, as if I had gone and come back from Teyvat and experienced all that lost time in an instant. If that happened to her... I wouldn't even know what to expect.
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[He said it matter of fact, it was the truth. He may have been accused a lying a lot in his life, especially when that in itself was a truth, but he knew went to be honest. When it benefited him rather than hindered him. It may hurt Aether's feelings to know that Kaeya would have continued on with his secret for some time yet, but it was to also give context.
Aether didn't need to ask him to not talk about Khaenri'ah or the Abyss Order because he generally wouldn't.]
My apologies if that was harsh.
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[--is what he says, but he does pull away, sitting upright with his hands neatly folded in his lap.]
I guess... I'm just panicking a little. And trying to find something I can do to just-- keep things the way they are.
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The truth hurt and this is why he rarely told it. Either he hurt himself or he hurt others. He hated this, but what Aether was saying was something that he couldn't let Aether believe.]
You can't. And it will be much worse for you if she finds out you intentionally tried to keep it from her.
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[The words are-- half-hearted. It's not like he disagrees with Kaeya, after all.]
If the end result is going to be losing her either way... then I'd rather it be while protecting her from something painful. Even if it means lying to her.
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[Because he truly didn't know. Kaeya had the same predicament not four years ago when Crepus died and he decided to come clean to his brother. What he did had consequences. He could have continued on with the lie, only to be found out later and disowned by Diluc or come clean and get disowned by Diluc. Despite their recent truce, Kaeya wasn't sure if the result would have been any different had he waited until Diluc had enough time to grieve.
Aether was going to have to figure out when and if he can tell Lumine.]
But it sounds like you've made your decision. Just be prepared for the inevitable. Besides, the secret your keeping is not quite like mine, I'm sure she'll understand.
[It was the only hope he could give Aether.]
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I... should probably get back to her now. If I'm gone too long, she might come looking for me.
[There's a smile on his face when he looks down at Kaeya -- but the blue has long since faded out of his hair.]
Thanks again for coming out all this way. I'll... see you around?
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He nodded, but he didn't rise from his spot. He lifted his hand in a wave, a smile on his face that didn't reach his eyes and was at fake as all could be. His usual mask for a time like this.]
See you.
[If he was certain a bar was still open, Kaeya would probably go get himself a drink or three. As it were, he stayed where he was.]
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[As Aether makes his way back, boarding the train back to where he's been temporarily staying with Lumine, he plays their conversation in his head over and over again, trying to figure out when it went wrong. It was the very start, wasn't it? When Aether said he already knew of Kaeya's heritage. Or was it when he mentioned Lumine's missing memories? Or maybe the conversation was just doomed from the start?]
[Maybe he should have never opened up about himself at all--]
[The pain that surges through his chest is so sudden and so painful, that he doesn't even realize that he was screaming. It felt like his heart was being torn in half, and in an instant, he's flat on his back as concerned passengers circle around him to ask if he's okay. But just as quickly as it struck, it was over. And all Aether was left with was a distinct emptiness in heart.]
[Ah... he knows this feeling. That's twice now he's severed a bond in Nippon. He really wasn't very good at this, was he?]
[He picks himself and dusts off his clothes. And then quietly makes his return to their room, falling into bed and into a dead sleep.]
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He sighed, his mind still wandering back to the conversation instead of the intended distraction he wanted. This was the very reason he hated telling the truth. Someone always got hurt. Usually himself, but this time it was Aether and--
Kaeya abruptly curled up, clutching his chest as the pain struck him hard with a sharp cry. But, it seemed to end almost as soon as it began, leaving a horrible emptiness behind.
He didn't understand what had happened, as this was the first time a bond had broken with him. But he had a feeling it had to do with Aether. He carefully uncurled himself, flopping back onto the grass. The stars blurred as tears welled up as well and he cursed.
He had a call to make, he wasn't going to be able to go back home like this.]
September 30, stupid time in the morning
Just letting you know in case you were concerned.
[Since he knows that Kaeya is aware of when he's home as much as he's aware of when Kaeya is... and he doubts the man has actually quit keeping tabs on him regardless.]
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I appreciate it.
[He does keep track of Diluc a lot of the time, but even he knows late nights happen. One evening wasn’t a concern usually, as long as Diluc was actually home by morning.
But still, it was actually really thoughtful of Diluc to let him know.]
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Sorry if I woke you.
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Not playing Darknight Hero again, are we?
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Don't call it that.
But no, I'm working over in Tokyo as a favour. The owner of one of the bars I'm employed at is short-staffed in his second location just for tonight and he's going to owe me after this.
It's going to take me five hours to get out there, so I'll find somewhere to stay over night and come back tomorrow.
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And it isn't that early.
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Yes it is, the sun's barely just started rising.
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Fine. Hurry up. I'm making eggs.
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But he also knew if he really didn’t hurry Diluc would leave on whatever ridiculous schedule he got himself on today. So, he managed to get dressed quickly in something casual and easy before heading on over to Diluc’s that was all of a two second walk or so.
He was yawning even as he knocked.]
I still don’t get why you think it’ll take you that long to find a place to stay overnight.
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I'm not sure if this is going to be too much for you so I'll explain it slowly. It's going to take me over five hours to get there, so I expect to arrive in the early afternoon. [He pauses a moment to flip the steak.]
I don't know the area that well, so I'll need to find somewhere that isn't entirely disreputable and leave my things there, then get ready and get to work at five, until beyond midnight. I don't want to have to rush.
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If you leave right after breakfast, it would still be morning when you get there but fine. Whatever you say.
[He still thought it was a bit overkill. Wasn't there going to be some morning rush as well with all the people leaving to go to work and stuff too? Not he figured a lot of people went to Tokyo and vice versa to work but still.]
Hope you're being paid double for all this trouble.
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[Sometimes a favour can be worth more than actual payment, depending on whom owes said favour. Diluc doesn't mind having one of his employers owe him for something, because he already has a plan of exactly how he's going to use it. The dandelion wine is going to have to make a start somewhere, after all, isn't it?
He casts a quick glance Kaeya's way and then moves to pull down two plates and glasses.]
I have orange juice, if that's fine. Otherwise it's water or tea.
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[Kaeya could already see it. It was the second time Diluc mentioned it. It stood to reason that Diluc was already formulating what he wanted out of it and likely when to cash in on it. Smart man.]
Orange juice is fine.
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Of course I already know.
[And less than a minute later he's setting down a plate and glass of juice in front of Kaeya, then sitting down with his own.]
I wouldn't be so focused on it otherwise. I'm going to ask him to put dandelion wine on the menu.
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Really? Did you already try to start making a small batch?
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[He picks up his knife and fork and digs in to his breakfast, not waiting on ceremony for Kaeya to decide he wants to begin. Diluc is far more than simply a passable cook, so he knows the food will be good.]
Don't worry. When I have some ready, you'll be the first to know.
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I had thought it was too soon for the wine to be ready. I'm glad to hear that though.
[And not just because it was wine. As uneasy as this truce was, there were some things Kaeya was always going to enjoy. He just hadn't gotten to experience even simply having breakfast with him in several years.]
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[He falls silent for a minute while he eats, then slows thoughtfully and sits back in his chair as he swallows a mouthful of food.]
It's funny... I never cared to involve myself much in the day to day of the winery, yet now I'm here... [Diluc trails off, then shakes his head and sits up straight again.]
I suppose it doesn't matter.
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[It wasn't like Kaeya had been any better. For all the time he spent at the winery, there wasn't much he knew about running one. He knew some just by osmosis but he knew he likely would not have been successful at all had he been there to run things while Diluc was gone.
Honestly, the staff was just that good.]
For what it's worth, I'm sure it'll come out great.
🎀
And to focus on the protection of Mondstadt.
He smiles faintly, not looking up.]
Thank you, Kaeya. As promised, you'll be the first to know.
mid-October
It had been raining when he'd fallen asleep and already showing signs of a storm, but such things rarely bothered him. He shuts his eyes and makes an attempt at going back to sleep, to no avail as another rumble disturbs him.
He lies there quietly for a few long moments before a thought occurs to him.]
Mnf. [Diluc mutters to himself, quite elegantly, before blindly reaching for the device set beside the bed. He squints at the screen and then taps out a message, sending it only a few apartments down the hall.]
Are you home?
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Yes.
[Kaeya has been awake the entire time. He could always tell when the rains were going to be just rain and when it was going to turn into something much fiercer. It was something he unconsciously learned and he hated it. He wished he could just sleep through the damn things, but it was never going to happen.
So, he stayed huddled under the blankets, an unfinished cup of tea beside him on the tatami mat, and his device that suddenly lit up. He hadn't been at all surprised who texted him, but he was surprised as to why.]
Go back to sleep.
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No chance of that with this noise.
[The text goes back over as he pulls on a robe and goes to the kitchen with the full intention of making himself a drink. Maybe he'll sit out the worst of it with a book and go back to sleep when the sky has stopped being so damned loud.]
I'm making tea, do you want to join me?
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[He was already mildly irritated but most of all, he was anxious and nervous. He dealt with these feeling before during the storms in Mondstadt, he could do it here. Although he wished a surge would go through and the weather would just suddenly clear up. Wishful thinking.
He jumped as that thunder rolled again, body beginning to shake lightly as his heart rate continued to stay up. He hated this.]
Thanks for the offer.
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I'd like if you'd come over anyway.
[And he taps his thumbs idly to either side of the small keyboard, drawing his lower lip in between his teeth before he adds-]
Please?
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There was something about him lately that had him just following through with whatever was going on. Similar to how he got clingy around Venti and had, once upon a time, acted far more intimately around Aether despite his usual MO keep everyone at arm’s length.]
Fine. Since you asked so nicely.
Give me a few minutes.
[Because the mental preparation for wandering around an empty hallway with a storm going on in a place that wasn’t quite as cozy as his home in Mondstadt was a lot. But he managed, not bothering to change out of his sleeping clothes but putting on a pair of sandals. He made sure his Vision was at his waist and his eyepatch was on before finally heading over. He was gripping his sleeves without even realizing it.]
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He does wait a few minutes, and then opens the door out into the hallway to look down towards Kaeya's place. And-- ah, there he is.]
Hey.
[The redhead hadn't bothered too much to make himself look presentable - his hair is down and falling around his shoulders in thick, blue-streaked curls, he's barefoot and in loose long pants and an open robe. Kaeya has seen him looking worse, but he's rarely seen Kaeya looking so much like he wants to disappear.
It doesn't take a genius to see that he doesn't look at all like himself. Diluc frowns very slightly and looks him up and down, and then he holds a hand out to him.]
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Kaeya looked up and found Diluc frowning at him. This suddenly felt like a bad idea but he was rooted in place. The past month and a half with Diluc had just been so tumultuous and weird and exciting but Kaeya felt very out of sorts nonetheless. And yet, he finally let go of one sleeve and placed his hand in Diluc’s.
He wasn’t going to bite the hand this time.
His grip suddenly tightened when he flinched rather harder, the lightning and thunder crashing nearly simultaneously and his heart was in his throat, shoulders up to his ears for that moment. Why was it suddenly louder out here than when he was inside?]
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Neither of them had been much fond of storms when they were children, but he had always thought they had both grown out of it. His mind goes to the reaction Kaeya had had to his phoenix, and then to the last time he had used it against him, and... it isn't difficult to put the pieces together.
He squeezes his hand around the one in his and then, uttering a very quiet 'come here', he pulls Kaeya in and wraps one arm around his shoulders. The other hand, still clasped around his, is pinned lightly between their heartbeats.]
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He shuddered lightly and finally let himself relax, if only a little. His head lowered until his chin rested on a strong shoulder, his free arm hesitantly reaching up to grip at the robe from behind, just between Diluc's shoulder blades. It was another breath through his nose and his muscles lost their tension completely, shoulders lowering as his head tilted lightly to rest against his brother's.]
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Archons, just how much damage had he done?
Diluc shuts his eyes for a moment and rubs his thumb softly against the back of Kaeya's shoulder just as he had when the other man had been asleep beside him in the hospital. He tips his head softly against the touch against it, keeping the hold warm but nothing that couldn't be easily wriggled out of.]
I've got you. [He says quietly.] You're all right now.
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But another crackle and crash and Kaeya felt himself clinging tighter, his heart racing once more. He hated this. Hated feeling so vulnerable and scared over something he had originally grown out of.]
Perhaps we should go inside.
[It wouldn't exactly make it any better with how loud it is, but being inside a home felt marginally safer than in a hallway. He reluctantly pulled away.]
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Everything after that was history.
Kaeya clings to him in answer to that noisy crash of thunder and he tightens his arm around him, feeling his racing heart against the back of his hand.]
... Mmn. [He murmurs, feeling suddenly chilly with the distance between them and stepping back to let Kaeya walk in to the apartment ahead of him.]
I was making tea, but I can do something else. Or something stronger.
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Do you... have anything sweeter? Not juice.
[It could be fruit tea for all he cared but... something sweet was always kind of nice and it reminded him a bit of their childhood. When Adelinde would make the two of them hot chocolate or even warming up some milk and honey. Being warm and cozy and helped Kaeya acclimate to his new home back then. Why not now?]
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Right. [After a little thought he grabs a saucepan and starts to gently heat some milk, and while it's warming he walks quickly to the bedroom and grabs a thick, soft blanket that he drops off beside Kaeya on his way back to the stove.]
You can stay here until it's over if you like. I--.. I wouldn't mind.
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Well, you did invite me over. Why... did you want me over, anyway?
[He felt a little awkward on the couch like this, but as the thunder rolled again he was in the blanket and resting his chin on his knees before he really knew it. He really was pathetic, wasn't he? Some kind of Knight he was. He leaned back a little against the arm, his head resting on the back of the couch he idly watched Diluc stir whatever was on the stove.]
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[It sounds so simple when he puts it like that, but with the weight of the last years of anger between them still hanging it means a lot for Diluc to say so easily that he just... wanted to have Kaeya around.
He stirs the milk lightly to make sure it doesn't burn and brushes his hair back over his shoulders. A few rogue curls bounce forwards again within moments.
When he glances over and sees Kaeya so swiftly bundled up under the blanket, that small frown flickers over his brow again before he quickly shifts his attention back to the milk.]
And you look like you need the company.
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[It was a soft murmur of a protest. He was certain it was only the two of them in this apartment so it would have been unthinkable to ask anyone to wonder out in this storm. Again, why couldn’t there just be a convenient time surge right now?
He watched Diluc absently work on whatever he was heating up. His eye caught Diluc’s for that moment and he looked away. He didn’t like feeling as though he were being studied. He knew Diluc didn’t mean it, Kaeya was acting in a manner reserved for when he was home alone. No one had ever seen this. He sighed through his nose and then caught sight of a hair tie on the table at the end of the couch.
He looked back over as Diluc tried valiantly to keep his hair from sliding forward but that hair of his was always wild and there was a reason the redhead was rarely seen with it not in some kind of tail. After another bit of thunder rolled on through, Kaeya forced himself to calm as he scooted over to the table and grabbed the hair tie, getting up from the couch and leaving the blanket so he could go into the kitchen and gently gather the red and blue locks.]
Hold still, you’re going to burn your hair at this rate.
[It wasn’t going to be anything fancy, not without a brush, but Kaeya gathered it all and pulled it through the hair tie. He also took a glance at the milk heating in the saucepan and couldn’t help the small smile pulling up one corner of his lips.]
Milk with honey? I didn’t think you remembered that.
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[And a lot of people aren't people he would think to send a message to after waking up in the middle of the night. Until recently, even Kaeya wasn't someone he would thik to send a message to in the middle of the night. Things have certainly changed.
He hears the other man moving around but doesn't look over at him again. While he's keeping half an eye on Kaeya's condition, he doesn't want to make it seem as if he's... watching him. Bit too late for that, probably, but he can still avoid making it worse. So it's a surprise when he feels hands in his hair and he visibly flinches, only the fact he knows who it is keeping him from pulling away entirely.]
It isn't that long. [Diluc mutters, but he tips his head back slightly to make it easier then gives it a little shake once his hair is tied. He glances over his shoulder and smiles faintly.]
I don't know why you'd think I'd forgotten. Adelinde would make it for us.
[And Elzer, too, if he was around in the evening.]
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No, she made hot cocoa most of the time because someone requested it over hot milk all the time.
[Which certainly didn’t help the two kids already being wide awake for whatever reasons. But Adelinde indulged them at times but she’d go with honeyed milk when she could so the two rambunctious boys could get some sleep.]
Not that I can blame you. She made very good hot cocoa and I can never do it justice myself.
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Ah. Guilty as charged.
[So he'd had a preference! And Kaeya had never tried too hard to argue against that preference, for reasons which become clear with what he says next. The hot chocolate that Adelinde made was indeed very good, and Diluc had never quite been able to replicate it either.
But she was still his head housekeeper, and every so often when he was feeling particularly nostalgic for the past, he would ask her to make it for him.
She would never refuse.]
The honey is in the cupboard there, would you mind?
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He reached into the cupboard that his brother indicated, rummaging only for a moment before pulling out the glass jar and setting down on the counter next to the stove.]
…thank you. You didn’t need to go that far for me, you know. I would have been fine with some fruit tea or something.
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He smiles and shakes his head to dismiss what the other man says, and picks up a couple of mugs to portion the milk out into. With that done he adds some honey to each and stirs them, the spoon ringing lightly against the side of each cup.]
It wasn't any trouble. Besides, [And he picks up the mugs, offering one to Kaeya while he takes a sip from the other.] It's been a long time since we did this.
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[He took the mug, only to set it down really fast when the lightning flashed. He knew he was going to jump and while the milk spilled a little, it was better than the alternative that would have happened once the thunder hit as well. He closed his eyes, willing himself to calm his heart.]
Sorry.
[He looked for a towel to clean up the mess he made.]
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[The storm is moving over them and since there's a delay between the flash and the noise, Diluc remains unfazed. He still looks a little concerned though, when Kaeya reacts like that again.
He hands him a towel, sensing that he needs to be able to clear up his own mess rather than have it done for him, and while he deals with that Diluc makes a point of pulling the tie out of his hair again and shaking it entirely loose.]
Let's sit down. [Diluc suggests, nodding towards the couch and Kaeya's abandoned blanket.] After you.
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He had the blanket draped over his lap and handed some of it to Diluc as well, taking a sip with a raised brow. Aren't you cold, Diluc?]
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Diluc hums softly as he sips his drink, closing his eyes as fond memories come rushing in. Memories he used to try to avoid, but now tentatively allows.
When the next flash from outside brightens the room up, he shifts and puts his arm around Kaeya's shoulders.]
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It was nice even if the nostalgic feeling left him saddened that they likely would never get those times back. But, assuming things went in the direction they seemed to be headed, new memories were never a bad thing.
He saw the lightning and the sudden feeling of Diluc’s arm around his shoulders distracted enough that when the thunder hit (notably not quite as loud as the storm was finally moving along), he didn’t jump so much as tense. His eyes closed, grip on his mug tight, but overall much easier than before. He settled again once he forced himself to relax, almost sagging against Diluc. He was tired. He sighed heavily, his head landing on Diluc’s shoulder before he realized what he was doing.]
The storm needs to move faster.
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[Not for his own sake - he doesn't mind it, even if it did wake him up - but he finds he hates to see how much it bothers Kaeya. Part of that is undeniably the knowledge that he caused this, in no small way, and that this fear wouldn't exist if he hadn't lashed out so furiously those years ago.
Kaeya's head drops to his shoulder and he grows quite still. His heart jumps up to his throat and he looks silently down into his drink as his pulse feels as if it momentarily stops before racing on.
... What was that?
He exhales softly, slowly, and tips his head to rest it against the top of Kaeya's.]
Try to get some rest, Kae.
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[He can deal, he’s had to for the last four years. And this time, no Knights of Favonius work which meant less worry about dumb mistakes while tired. Although it also meant he was going to have to figure out another way to keep his mind occupied so he didn’t do a midday nap and ruin his sleep schedule.]
I don’t want to keep you up on my account though.
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[He's not the one petrified of the weather. Diluc wouldn't have suggested such a thing if he hadn't heard the exhaustion weighted in that sigh Kaeya had let out. He shifts his arm to make it more comfortable around his brother's shoulders, having the unintended effect of tucking him in all the closer.
It feels strange to do this now. His memories of when this would happen involve them both being a lot smaller.]
And you don't have to try to sleep. Just try to rest.
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For a moment, he felt like he was a kid, experiencing his first moment of brotherly bonding over being without his biological father during another storm and realizing he had a new family to keep him warm and safe.
Kaeya pulled his legs up, curling them right on top of Diluc’s as he sleepily pulled the blanket up to his shoulders. He let out a contented sigh through his nose, closing his eyes completely now.]
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He makes a soft sound of surprise when Kaeya moves and curls up on him like that, but he doesn't have it in his heart to push him away. Instead he shifts him very carefully to make things more comfortable for them both, and moves the blanket so it's less tangled up. With one arm under the blanket around Kaeya's back and the other over the top, draped lightly over his curled legs, he's all but cradling the man against him.
Diluc sighs softly, closing his eyes and pressing a gentle kiss to Kaeya's hairline. Something warm swells in his chest and he murmurs very quietly.]
... I love you, Kae.
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Kaeya didn’t know what to make of it.
His hand shifted around his stomach to where he felt Diluc’s hand under the blanket at his back and gently curled a couple fingers into it. He couldn’t reach all around, of course, but he managed to snag a few digits, just a subtle and quiet way to let the other know he heard and he was responding in some fashion.]
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Diluc smiles faintly to himself as he feels Kaeya's fingers curling around his hand. He gives the other man's body a gentle squeeze with both arms and relaxes into the back of the couch.]
I know. Go to sleep.
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[Without the thunder constantly jumping his heart and the feel of being wrapped up in comforting warmth, it wasn’t too difficult to follow that request. He was asleep within a few minutes.
He awoke to the morning light in his face, it seemed the storm passed over completely and the sun was shining. He snuggled back deeper into his blanket, closing his eyes to catch a few more ZZZs… only to open them right back up with his brows furrowed as he realized he was now laying down rather than being upright. He lifted his head and that’s when he realized that at some point during the night, both he and Diluc had gone from sitting up to laying down… with Kaeya using Diluc’s chest as a pillow. He was still being cradled between the couch and his brother’s warm body.
He honestly didn’t know if he should be embarrassed, mortified, or utterly pleased at this. His face heated right back up and slowly, delicately, he tried to push himself up to disentangle himself from the blanket and Diluc’s arms without waking him.]
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When Kaeya wakes up Diluc is fast asleep, one arm hanging off the couch and his hair in complete disarray. His chest rises and falls softly with each breath, and Kaeya's nerves are at least spared the fact that the robe he fell asleep in is still covering most of his bare skin up.
He has one arm around him and when the other man decides to try and move, he gets a soft, sleepy grunt of protest and that grip around him tightening just a fraction.]
Five more minutes. [Diluc mutters with a sigh.] Then I'll... I'll get up.
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But he was still met with resistance and he sighed louder.]
Diluc, you can sleep five more minutes but I need the restroom.
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Mm. Sorry.
[Immediately, he shifts to get out of Kaeya's way and busies himself with tidying the mugs up off the floor. It's a distraction, of course... to try and take his mind off how wildly his pulse is suddenly racing.]
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He handed it back to Diluc once his hands were free and rubbed the back of his neck.]
…I should get going but uh… [Smooth.] Thank you. Again.
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He's deep in his own thoughts when Kaeya finally emerges and he looks over his shoulder before he turns to take the blanket. The folding of it is almost immediately undone with the way Diluc fidgets it between his hands.]
... Right, hm... You're welcome. [Diluc looks away, a tiny but obviously troubled frown worrying a faint crease between his eyebrows.] You don't need to wait for me to ask next time.
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...oh. He sighed and nodded, although he looked unsure all the same.]
I'll... think about it.
[It wasn't that he didn't appreciate it but Kaeya just had habits now. Much of it came from being a lonely person and keeping people at arm's length in the process. And he wasn't used to Diluc being... well, being a brother to him. So, his instincts were at war with his buried deep needs that he had had to keep there in order to protect himself after their fight.]
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All right.
[It's funny how he did enjoy the company, and specifically because that company was Kaeya, but... there are still things about how having the other man tucked against him like that made him feel that he needs to sort through.]
I'll see you later, then.
text; early November
Ugh.]
I'm looking at moving out of here and into one of the empty houses in a quieter area of Kyoto.
I wondered if you'd want to come with me.
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Just easier this way.
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[Pause.]
That was a joke. Text is weird and you can't hear my lovely voice through this. See, this is why asked. But all joking aside, I would actually like living with you again. [He had been lonely back in Mondstadt and even here, to an extent.] A quiet place in Kyoto, hm? Did you already purchase the place?
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He takes a minute to recover from the way that makes his heart race and he's glad that this is text so Kaeya didn't hear the horribly undignified noise he made.]
Not yet. I have a few in mind.
But I thought I'd ask you if you'd be joining me before I made a final decision.
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Do you mind if I tag along to see? I never did take a look at those when I first arrived.
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And when Diluc is sure by this point that he's...
He's staring at the wall. He blinks and gives himself a little shake.]
No that's fine. I was hoping you'd ask.
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[Please, Kaeya has been no different. Every time they’ve been around each other, he had to fight to not trip over himself or…
Ahem.]
When?
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[It's a generous offer. Possibly more generous than Kaeya would have expected.]
Early next week. I'll let you know closer to the time.
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[He really did.]
Alright, I'll be sure to keep my schedule clear.
[Kaeya, what schedule?]
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[Did Kaeya actually get a job that Diluc somehow doesn't know about?]
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[He then proceeded to describe said schedule which mostly consisted of when he woke up, when he got food, when he got a drink, looked at bounties, maybe even doing said bounty or odd job, it's all tough work, you see.
And total bullshit.]
But I'm sure I can fit you in there. :)
🎀
[It's exciting. Both to be getting out of here and to be doing so with the thought that Kaeya wants to come along.
Gods, he might actually be in trouble here.]
some time when they aren't together
[And that's it, that's the text. Just a little something to brighten Kaeya's day, whatever he's doing.]
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Not that I don't love you too.
[Thank goodness for text because he was feeling a little blindsided right now. He was never any good with this kind of directness or attention.]
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I love you too. What are you up to? Obviously not working if you're doing this.
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That and being able to make you blush from several miles away.
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[He's totally blushing.]
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I see. Then you've made your choice.
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[But he's definitely laughing.]
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I still love you though. ♥️
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And I love you too.
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text | un: matsukaze
I don't often use this, but I was thinking of you. I was doing some work today and as payment I was provided an nice bottle of junmai sake. It's too fine to be had alone and you were the first I thought of.
You wouldn't happen to be available for some drinks, would you?
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u wanted cute right
oh no
I've been gone for only an hour.
[He's assuming it's going to be some sappy 'I miss you' text that only Diluc seemed capable of sending with a completely straight face.]
hehehe
I know.
But I consider every moment of the time we have here to be precious.
And I want you to know, right now, that you are my entire world.
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He felt his cheeks burn with every word read, stopping him in his tracks as he had been browsing the herb and spice vendor. The vendor herself couldn't help the small giggle at Kaeya's face and politely looked away.]
Something you weren't expecting?
Ah... [cough.] Something like that. Please excuse me, I'll be right back.
Of course, take your time.
[She likely thought it was much spicier than the text really was but that didn't matter because Kaeya knew it got the job done nonetheless. Why did Diluc insist on doing this to him?!]
That's awfully nice, buttering me up because you did something bad? Did you break a vase that I bought?
[Not that it stopped Kaeya from pretending that he wasn't as embarrassed and flushed as he really was.]
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I didn't.
I just wanted you to know how precious you are to me.
It feels important to tell you when the thought strikes me.
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And why not when I'm home? Surely the impact would be more meaningful if you said it to my face directly.
[His ears were burning.]
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Diluc tells Kaeya these things when he can because he can never be sure if it will be the only chance he gets.]
Indulge me with this one thing, won't you?
I love you and I want you to know it.
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I'm not entirely sure how this 'indulges' you, Master Diluc. But I'll take it, I suppose.
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Pick up some tea while you're out, won't you?
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What kind of tea?
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[He won't because that would be a waste of tea.
But then, perhaps a few moments later...]
I love you.
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You put me in mind of it actually.
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Although now I'm wishing we did do that on your birthday instead of the picnic.
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But I think it might have been a little much for me. The picnic was perfect.
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Good, but in any case, when do you want to go? I assume you know a place already that allows civilians to do this.
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And you say I gave you the idea. You could have just said you found it and want to go gather some!
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I didn't. But I have an idea of where to look, and thought we could go together. Like we used to with father.
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When are you free?
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[Godsdammit.]
Where am I meeting you?
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o look it me again | action some time late May
In one way that's true. He isn't angry about it. It hasn't changed how he looks at Kaeya or how he acts around him. But... it still plays on his mind. Most of the time he can push it aside but when he's asleep and unguarded the scenarios his mind is able to cook up would be enough to disturb anyone.
It's on one such night when, in the very early hours, the redhead sighs in his sleep. The sigh is followed by a deep breath in, then another, and then a soft pinch of his expression as his shoulders press into the mattress and the base of his spine arches up slightly. Diluc turns his head and mutters something, his fingers twitching, then he seems to settle... though only for a few seconds until the discomfort shows itself again in earnest.
Diluc does not have visible nightmares often, usually waking soundlessly and just pulling Kaeya in closer to him afterwards. This time does seem a little different.]
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The soft sounds and the fidgeting had Kaeya rousing from his sleep to figure out what was going on. The early hours barely had any light as he opened his bleary eyes. When Diluc twitched next to him again, the confusion turned into concern and he turned over in the bed to figure out what was going on. Diluc wasn't getting out of bed and it looked like he was still asleep.
It was barely there in the darkness, but Kaeya saw the pinched look on Diluc's face. He shifted onto an elbow, his other hand going to his boyfriend's chest to gently jostle him awake.]
Luc. Luc, wake up.
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He looks unfocused and confused for a moment, softly panting for breath. His eyes - which had been red when he opened them - slide to a bright ice blue as he looks over to his boyfriend.]
Oh... [Still breathing unsteadily, he raises a hand and rubs at the corner of one eye.]
Sorry, Kae... did I wake you up?
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[He shook his head, scooting in close to lay his head on Diluc's chest. He could hear his heart beating fast.]
...bad dream?
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... Yeah.
[It's been a while, actually, since he last had one that he can remember.]
It's fine. Go back to sleep.
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Want to talk about it?
[He would understand if not, but it had been awhile since Diluc woke him up like this.]
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I think... what happened with those flowers is bothering me more than I thought.
[The idea of almost losing him, of coming home that night to find him unconscious or worse on the kitchen floor, choking on flower petals... He hates it, but it's dug its way into his head.]
It--... It scared me. To know what might have happened, and I wasn't here.
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[So, it had been because of him. He held Diluc a little tighter.]
I'm sorry.
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I'm not blaming you.
[Diluc squeezes Kaeya's slimmer body in against his. The important thing is that in the end, he was completely fine. But the thought of what might have happened is still there.]
I'll be fine. It's okay.
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[Kaeya muttered with a soft sigh. He reached over for Diluc's other hand and squeezed it.]
Let me be sorry about this and just... Know that I'm okay. What ifs are hard to forget but...
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[And as often happens these days when they're cuddling like this, kizuna takes over and he has to shift with a slightly aggravated grunt to free a wolf tail from under his back. It curls halfway around Kaeya's leg once it's unpinned, tickling lightly against the bare skin.
He doesn't need to raise his hand to check to know the ears on top of his head are slightly pinned back, displaying his current state of mind. The faint awareness of a reorientation of his hearing tells him that they're there.]
If you're sorry, then... You should know I forgive you, as well.
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Being forgiven went a long way and Kaeya snuggled a bit deeper under Diluc's chin.]
Thank you. How about I make us an early breakfast? I don't think we're going to go back to sleep any time soon.
[Not that he really wanted to get out of bed. He was very warm and comfortable like this.]
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[And perhaps that in itself is telling. Diluc often grows restless within minutes of waking, pulling himself out of bed and setting himself to going about his day. Right now he's content to lay there and hold Kaeya against him, and as the man tucks in under his chin he rests a hand against his partner's hair and slowly rubs one thumb behind one of the long ears poking out through the strands.]
I can hear your tail wagging... [He murmurs, voice tinged with amusement.] You're cute when you're like this.
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It was certainly a surprise that Diluc hadn't wanted to get out of bed already, so Kaeya continued to take advantage.]
Shut up, you know I can't control it.
[There was no heat in his voice and he didn't even try to stop his tail.]
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[He brushes a kiss against the edge of one of those soft ears, then runs his hand down Kaeya's back under the sheets all the way down to the base of his wagging tail. There, he slides two fingers against each side of the tail's base and lets his hand rest there, the heel of his palm against the base of the other man's spine.]
I thought I'd always hate this, but I don't mind so much when it's with you. [Diluc muses out loud. If he happened to start popping animal features with anyone else he isn't sure how he'd feel about it, but so far it's only happened with one person.
His voice softens as he nuzzles gently against the top of his boyfriend's head.]
Do you want me to wake you next time I have a bad dream?
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You just can't resist petting my pretty tail, can you?
[At the question, his tail slowed down and his finger reached up to trace a scar on Diluc's chest. He nodded silently. He always felt bad when he awoke to Diluc having pulled him in, because he didn't always wake up from the movement.]
You're always there for mine.
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[He moves his hand, stroking it over the silky pelt of Kaeya's fox tail. There was no need for him to resist, was there, when all of this was for him? The fingertip trailing across the scar on his chest makes him shiver, a whole new set of memories welling up along with the rush of goosebumps that scatter across his chest.]
And I know I am... and I'm happy to be.
[Diluc shifts. Maybe it is time to get out of bed.]
I'll remember next time. But no complaints that I woke you up.
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He chuckled softly and pushed himself up, leaning on his hand and looking down at his partner as the sheets slid off his shoulders. His ears twitched lightly as he tilted his head.]
Just remind me if I do. But this is early even for you, no? What do you plan to do?
[Kaeya actually had an idea himself of what they could do at such an early hour, but it depended on Diluc.]
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If we're not going back to sleep, I could make us some tea and a snack. [And they might just fall back to sleep in the living room, curled up on the couch together like a couple of tired pups. It did happen, sometimes, when they were like this.]
Unless you had something else in mind?
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It's a little early for a snack for me, I can never eat so soon after waking up. Tea would be good though. [He twisted around a little to leaning over the beside and dig into his discarded pants from yesterday. He tossed a pack of cigarettes over his shoulder towards Diluc.] Tea and a smoke sound really good right about now. How about it?
[Neither of them smoked all that often, but sometimes they did. When the time was right and it was even better when they were together.]
Outside, of course.
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The two of them did smoke now and then - Kaeya more often than himself - but he hadn't expected a pack of them to be so readily to hand.]
... Mm.
[He fiddles with the cigarette packet, flipping the lid open and closed, then slides out of bed and pushes his free hand through his hair, ears twitching while his deep red wolf tail swishes idly back and forth.]
Come on, then. I'll make the tea before we go into the garden.
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He grinned when Diluc agreed, watching him and his wolf ears and tail twitching and swishing.]
Alright.
[He slid out of the bed as well, thick fox tail that was the same blue as his hair but rather than a white tip, it had a red tip. He stretched for moment and set about getting himself better dressed for going outside. His sleeping clothes weren't things he wanted to outside in.]
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He can still feel his tail swishing in simple pleasure at his current company as he follows Kaeya out of the room, and he links their hands together as they walk across the house.
His tail curls against the back of Kaeya's thigh. He doesn't notice.]
Which tea shall we have? Something strong might be too overpowering this early.
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I prefer coffee anyway if I wanted caffeine. Why not one of the fruit teas? The mixed berry one is good.
[His large ears twitch lightly as he tilted his head at Diluc, hoping to get a yes from him. Something sweet with a cigarette was actually pretty good. Probably because he always went for the menthols.]
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[When these features emerge, it's easier than ever for them to read one another. Not that Diluc has ever found it hard to read Kaeya, even when their relationship was at its lowest. He sends a smile his way as he answers and nods, and fruit tea would be far easier to put together anyway.
He doesn't waste time standing around in the kitchen. Diluc heats some water up quickly with a little application of pyro energy and sets the teapot and two cups on a small tray, ushering Kaeya out to the garden door and the engawa outside.
When they're settled on the edge of the porch, he sighs and hands the cigarette packet back over to the other man after pulling one out for himself.]
Lean in. [Diluc murmurs, and he gently lights the ends of both of their cigarettes where they touch.] Mm. Been a while.
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Kaeya took the pack back and pulled out his own, leaning in as told so Diluc could light them both up before settling back with a sigh. He took another draw, sighing it out and watching the wisps of smoke dissipate in the air for the moment.]
Mmhm. Sometimes, this [He gestured to the cigarette between his index and middle finger as he flicked it lightly over the edge of the engawa.] just feels right.
[It wasn't necessarily a habit, he wasn't interested in making it one, but it was still a way to relax some days when wine just didn't cut it. He reached over for the tea, pouring himself a cup and taking a sip. Sweet and hot, so good.]
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Diluc draws on his own cigarette, hissing in through his teeth as he lets it linger and burn in his chest. He probably should be coughing, but he lets the smoke out in a steady stream and watches it drift away on the light breeze of the early morning.]
Sometimes. [He murmurs in quiet agreement. Like Kaeya, Diluc is not interested in making this a habit... but it's nice to just sit and indulge in it once in a while.]
Remember sneaking out into the vineyard to smoke so father didn't catch us? [He asks after a few silent moments pass, tilting his attention towards the younger man with a small smile.] And the one time Elzer did?
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Kaeya smiled broadly at the memory, leaning back on his hand as he huffed out a laugh.]
He was more mad that we were too close to the grapes than he was at us smoking. I was honestly so surprised, especially when he didn't tell on us. I was so certain we were going to get a lecture after dinner.
[He took another drag with a contemplative tilt of his head.]
How much you want to bet he'd known the whole time and just never said anything?
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[Elzer, along with the rest of the staff, had always been indulgent of the two young man growing up around their feet. Diluc had been aware of this to the point of occasionally taking advantage, though he never pushed it to a point that he would cause any disappointment to his father.]
Nothing happens around the winery that Elzer doesn't know about. [And though Diluc might not say it now, he knows that he could not run the place without him. He smiles, gently bumping his shoulder to Kaeya's.]
Been thinking we could open our own place here.
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He grunted at the shoulder bump, turning his head away to blow out the smoke and flicking the cigarette over the side again.]
Oh? We? You sure you want me as a business partner?
[Kaeya didn't need to ask to know what kind of business Diluc had in mind. While he may have been out of the game for several years now due to dedicating himself to the Knights, it wasn't like he learned nothing while growing up at the winery.]
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Good question.
[He doesn't give details about what he has in mind because he is sure that Kaeya knows. There's really only one thing that it could be.]
I think I could manage it. The real question is, could you handle working so closely with me?
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You're the one who spent so long just barely tolerating my presence while I more or less brute forced my way back into your life, I hope you remember. Shouldn't I be the one asking you that?
[He even playfully slurped the tea, loudly, while looking over the rim of the mug with a raised eyebrow. Can you tolerate him being a bratty business partner?
Except he wouldn't be bratty, he would take it seriously as much of a greenhorn as he was regarding the actual day to day business. He only remembered so much by this point in time, but he was willing to learn.]
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You know I had my reasons. Even if they weren't very good ones. [That's something he can at least admit now. Keeping Kaeya at arms length for so long had only served to hurt them both, when the other man's only real crime was poor timing.
Diluc rolls his eyes and takes another drag of his cigarette, sighing out a breath.]
And if I didn't want you to do this with me, I wouldn't have asked. I just don't want you to feel you have to spend so much of your time stuck to my hip if you have other things you want to do.
[He might joke about it later, but it seems he's looking for a serious answer first.]
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I don't feel like that at all. My schedule is erratic because of the bounties so having something a bit more consistent would be nice. Besides... [He tilted his head toward Diluc, smiling lightly as he pulled the cigarette from his mouth, putting the rest of it out with a bit of cryo magic.] If you and I hadn't become Knights all those years ago, I imagine this is the thing you and I would be doing by now. Don't you think?
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He does see now, though, that it had mostly been the result of a grieving teenager being pushed utterly to his limits by a perceived betrayal of all the values his father had died for.]
Maybe. [Probably. He had always known he would take the winery when his father wanted to retire, though they had both no doubt thought that would be some years in the future when his best years in the Knights were behind him.
He finishes the last of his own cigarette and shakes his head, holding it up for Kaeya to snuff it out as he exhales the smoke.]
Do you think you would have joined if I hadn't?
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[The answer came so easily as Kaeya reached out with frosted fingertips to put out the cigarette with a soft sizzling sound. He took it from Diluc after and set it next to his own.]
When we joined, I only did because you did. I wanted to follow you wherever you went. The Knights hadn't held my attention like they had yours, but I wanted to be with you anyway. It was a risk to join in the first place, but it was a risky choice I was willing to make.
[He leaned back on both hands, looking up at the morning sky as his fox ears twitched lightly.]
You and M-... And Father made me feel warm and safe. I figured it would stay that way even within the Knights, should anyone find out. [He tilted his head in Diluc's direction, one ear tilting down.] Seems like I was right.
I'll still follow you, Diluc. Whether you want me to or not.
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He settles next to the other man, placing his hand close enough to Kaeya's that their pinkie fingers can link together.
Back then, Kaeya had been his best friend, his confidante, always in his shadow but never complaining, always supporting him in everything he could have ever needed. Diluc had been the confident one, charming, always smiling, while Kaeya had always been slightly more eccentric in manner... but none the less well-liked.]
I wouldn't have it any other way. [He replies with a gentle warmth, softly bumping their shoulders together.] And I know... it's not the most pleasant of topics... but did they ever tell you why I resigned?
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No, they didn't. I figured it out on my own. It's why I took your Vision from them. They didn't deserve to hold onto it. [He probably would have gone to grab it regardless of the truth, but he had been unsure at the time. He wanted to respect Diluc's wishes but at the same time, something had nagged at him. So, being the sly little fox he was, he investigated and figured out the truth himself. It was long after that Eroch had been expelled from the Knights too. Fancy that.] I thought about what to do with it after that. Never came to a decision so I just held onto it hoping you'd come back for it one day.
[Come back to him. But when Diluc did return, he was Sir Kaeya. And the Knights were useless and inefficient. Diluc never called him that, but it certainly had stung as if he had and it hadn't been easy to not take it to heart (he still did, at times).]
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[He breathes out the words, almost sighing, and despite what he says he doesn't sound particularly angry now. Of course Kaeya knows already either way, thanks to Amber's excited explanation of her youthful eavesdropping during the Black Fire Incident (something Diluc himself had not been present for, but had inevitably heard about later from Lisa), but he had always wondered if he had been let in on any of it back then. It's no surprise that the resourceful man had worked it out for himself.
Hearing that Eroch had been expelled as a traitor while he was gone had done little to soothe the sharp sting of being betrayed by the Order he had put so many years of his life into.
Diluc smiles, soft and bitter all at once. What would Crepus have thought if he had known that the Knights of Favonius, who he had always regretted never being a part of, had been able to turn their back on him so easily? He could still get angry about it now if he let himself, and perhaps Kaeya might be able to see it coming, but instead of those barbed emotions welling up Diluc simply takes a breath, holds it for a moment, then sighs it slowly out again.]
But thank you, Kaeya... for keeping it safe for me. And for not pushing it into my hands at the first opportunity. [His smile turns wry.] I don't think I would have been able to accept it if you had.
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[Kaeya had been, when he found out. Even contemplating quitting the Knights. Maybe he should have. Would Diluc have received him better? He didn't know. But the Knights were all Kaeya had left at the time, so he stayed.]
I wanted to. But settled for a gaudy vase instead.
[It wasn't that he knew Diluc wouldn't accept it. Because at the end of the day, he hadn't been sure. So, Kaeya kept it to himself for awhile, contemplating and feeling Diluc out. It was then he knew he had to be sneaky about it. Find the opportune moment.]
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It doesn't look good no matter where you put it.
[And yet!!
He's sure Adelinde found the Vision tucked inside the thing long before he did. Diluc wasn't going about cleaning the place after all. She hadn't told him, and eventually he had found it himself. Some consideration had been given to simply tossing the thing right at the man, but by then it had been so long that doing so felt ridiculous to do that. And besides, he'd missed the warm weight of it at his hip.]
Why a vase of all things? It's hardly subtle.
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Why not a vase? I never said I wanted to be subtle about it. Besides, I doubt you even knew the Vision was in there at first, hm?
[It had taken a bit after Diluc accepted the vase to start showing up with the Vision at his hip. He knew it wouldn't happen overnight, but the amount of time it took let Kaeya realize that Diluc likely hadn't known it was in there. He wondered what triggered to look inside of it, unless it was Adelinde. Probably Adelinde.]
One must be a little forceful with you.
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[Not the first time Kaeya has expressed such a sentiment, though Diluc rarely denies it. When it comes to him one must be a little forceful, particularly if trying to get him to do something that he might not wish to. Back then he wouldn't have wanted to have his Vision presented to him and he would not have wanted to feel like he owed Kaeya a debt for keeping it safe as he had, so the younger man had chosen the right course of action in the end.
His own tail swishes from side to side, occasionally bumping against Kaeya's as the movements synchronise.]
I expect that Adelinde found it before I did. She never told me, one way or the other. [The winery's staff had always respected Diluc's wish to not speak about the past and they did not mention it, at least not in front of him.] I actually discovered it in there myself in the end.
[His expression turns thoughtful for a few moments, then he leans a little of his weight against Kaeya's side.]
I'm still tired.
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Sleep a little more then. I can clean up here. Maybe get breakfast started before Lumine takes over the kitchen. Hm?
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[He doesn't relish the idea of going back to bed by himself. When had he become so dependant on Kaeya's company? The thought occurs to him as he glances sidelong at the younger man, then he nods with a soft sigh and pushes himself up.]
Yeah, all right. [It's also not like him to go back to bed once he's up, but his sleep had not been restful at all and he has no pressing concerns that day.]
Wake me up in a couple of hours.
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Anything in particular in mind you want for breakfast? So I know when to start.
[He didn't need a couple hours to make breakfast, but if it wasn't something quick then he was going to need to prep a little bit.]
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[He idly laces his fingers into Kaeya's while they head back to the bedroom, but when he sits down he doesn't try to pull the other man after him. Instead he leans forwards, pressing his forehead gently to Kaeya's sternum.]
We can go out and get something, how does that sound?
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He saw nothing bad about it, aside from having to actually put on more appropriate clothes and it would probably be enough time for the animal features to disappear so putting in proper pants on particular weren't a hassle. He would have to think of a place then.]
Sure, why not? I will think of a place unless you think of one in your dreams, hm~?
[He would probably just spend the next couple hours doing some light cleaning. It was his turn coming up anyway.]
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I'm sure there are plenty of options. [He says, though he is mildly amused by the idea that he might wake up spontaneously having an idea of where to go.
With a sigh he sits up, coaxes Kaeya down to kiss him, and then smiles.]
And I mean it. Wake me up. Don't let me sleep all morning.
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[He chuckled softly. He wanted to pick a good place but he needed to mentally catalog what was out there and what seemed to be the best choice for a day like today.
He leaned down to kiss the other man, smiling all the while.]
Yes, yes. 8am, on the dot.
[He didn't look at the clock but he was only guessing that it was around 6am by now. Either way, he would do as asked. He gently pushed Diluc down to the bed with a hand on the his chest.]
Now, get some sleep and be sure to wake up with an appetite.
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[He goes down easily, not resisting the push against his chest, and settles himself comfortably with one eye half-open and his gaze slanted towards Kaeya. Though it doesn't happen often, these times when the other man can confidently look after him like this are always nice.]
Love you. [Diluc says then, the words half-muffled by a yawn as he shuts his eyes entirely and lightly grips the corner of the pillow in one hand.]
See you later.
UN: Chuuya, text; 6/16??? maybe?
So whenever Diluc makes his way home, you should get some ice on his ribs. He ate a kick straight to the torso during a spar with me just to get a throw in, and now his ribs are probably bruised to hell.
Of course, he's tossing 'I'm fine' out, but I figure if anyone has a chance to get him to sit still and get it taken care of, it'll be you.
[Will Diluc be annoyed by the tattling? Probably. Does Chuuya care? Not a damn bit. Diluc is frankly lucky he's a friend and not a mafia member.]
Sounds about right haha
Don't worry, I'll figure something out. Who won?
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[And Chuuya less 'won' and more glued Diluc in place with gravity manipulation until he yielded once he realized the spar was about to get out of hand, but hey. It's fair to be cautious.]
It was a dumbass move, but he's your dumbass, so if anyone can get him to sit his ass down and accept some aid, it'll be you. He told me you can do stuff with ice, so freeze him to the couch if you have to.
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[They did finally come to a draw back at the Kamisatos, which was enough for him. Especially because it had made Diluc proud.]
I can't freeze him to the couch, he would just melt it and ruin the furniture. Fire and ice aren't compatible in the slightest, but I know another way, not to worry~
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[Chuuya is, unfortunately for everyone, always eager to test himself against people in a fight. He loved a challenge.]
....Guess that's true. Damn. But if you've got a way, then that's fine.
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Me? I am not quite like you and Diluc are in unarmed battle, so I'm not sure I would be able to give you a sufficient fight. It isn't really my forte, not unless a sword is involved.
[He knew his limits and learning any sort of martial arts just had not been his priority. He knew the basics, of course, but that was about it.]
I do, don't worry. Diluc will probably hate it, but that's the fun part.
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[Diluc's consideration was cute, really. A little unnecessary, but cute nonetheless.
...But also maybe that says way too much about Chuuya. Does he really have any place to judge Diluc for his injury here?]
So if you're less hesitant about fighting a martial artist while armed... well. The offer still stands. This place gets dreadfully boring, compared to my hometown. If it makes you feel better, I do know how to use a knife?
[Honestly, he was worried he'd get rusty without any fights in this world. A real problem, given his job.]
Oh? How fun are we talking? Gonna get the drop on him?
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If you insist, however, then I'll oblige. I'll use my ice sword instead then, rather than my actual sword as compromise, yes? Or a bokken.
Speak of the devil, hold please.
[Diluc had just come home and even without the warning from Chuuya, Kaeya noticed the subtle difference. Still, the heads up made it all the more easy to spot and while he didn't have the device set to audio or video, Kaeya was quite pleased with himself as got the drop on Diluc.
Very cold, frosted hands right up his shirt and pressed against those bruised ribs. After some fussing later, Kaeya returned.]
He is now seated on the couch with an ice pack that will take longer than normal ice to melt and looking adorably grumpy.
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But an ice sword sounds like fun, actually. Would love to see what you can do with that.
[He wonders about the durability and efficiency. Is it as sharp as a real blade? Is it sharper? How much force could--
..Oh, looks like Diluc's home. Chuuya waits for Kaeya to come back, letting his mind wander a little bit before the next text comes and a grin settles on his lips.]
Good. If he complains, it's only what he deserves. Though I'm almost sad missing out on his grumping, that sounds fun.
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I use it as I would a normal sword, but it's a bit more versatile and allows me to use my Cryo abilities with far greater accuracy if need be. Also, if it breaks, I can make a new one, easy.
[He wasn't going to go into further argument over fighting an unarmed man while armed, so he had left it at that. Fighting dirty was not out of the question, but in a friendly spar, he certainly didn't like to resort to such tactics.]
I'm sure you will have your chance some other time. You're very persistent when taking care of others, after all.
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[Far greater accuracy, huh... He's terribly curious to see what Kaeya can do.]
Oh probably. And you say that like it's a bad thing! I like to look out for my friends, that's all. Surely you'd agree that's fine?
['That's all' he says, as if he doesn't practically bully people he likes into getting taken care of or taking better care of themselves.
...Okay, he's been protecting his people since he was a kid, it's pathological.]
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Ah, I'm quite touched that you consider me a friend.
[Did they sound a little insincere? Probably. Kaeya was still in the "unsure" phase with Chuuya, no matter how well he got on with Diluc. It was just in his nature to take a little time to warm up to another person and truly consider them a friend rather than simple acquaintance.]
I slide in here again
[He's used to this now. The sensation of hot fullness and Kaeya moving over him, pressing him down into the bed, kissing him breathless until he's the only thing Diluc can think about. The way he'll hook his thighs against the more slender man's hips has become natural instead of awkward, and he is far less conscious of the volume his voice can reach as his lover hits every sweet spot in him.
He climaxes with a noisy groan, pulling Kaeya down against him and holding him tightly as he trembles through his orgasm. Then they settle, exchanging warm kisses and soft words until the mess grows too uncomfortable to ignore.
Once they're cleaned up and the sheets are changed, Diluc flops down onto the bed with a contented huff and stretches out, his hair fanned out under him and several bite marks blooming into bruises on his collar bone. He glances over to Kaeya, smiles, and Kaeya grins at him.
He grins in that wide, toothy way that shows off his teeth and the slightly over-pointed canines. The way that goes all the way up to his eyes and makes him glow. Diluc feels an immediate flush of heat through his entire body and lets out a strangled sound, and not for the first time he immediately grabs a pillow and launches it right at Kaeya's face.
Gods, that fucking smile!]
We always slide into inboxes all day erryday
Kaeya let out a (muffled) startled cry when he was promptly hit with a pillow after a rather amazing (if he did say so himself) round of sex. It was always a lovely change of pace when Diluc let him top and it was always a lovely sight to see. Diluc in the throes of passion will never not be beautiful to him, after all.
But that all went out the window as he shoved the pillow aside to pout at Diluc.]
What was that for? I thought we had an amazing time.
[Not to mention that felt oddly familiar... Not that Diluc made a habit of smacking him with pillows but it was far from the first time.]
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[Diluc, currently mired in his own mortification, has his head shoved into the remaining pillow on his side of the bed and his arm tucked under it to pull it up over his face.
His voice is muffled but audible enough, and he draws his knees up slightly as he realises that Kaeya... probably deserves an explanation for suddenly being beaned with a pillow.]
That stupid grin of yours does things to me.
[Help.]
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[Kaeya understood Diluc regardless of him trying to smother himself with another pillow. But he was still at a loss on what was going on because the other man just confirmed it had all be great, they had cleaned up and were still basking in the afterglow, but now it seemed like one of them was going to die due to lack of oxygen by pillow if this kept going.
He scooted closer, then, when Diluc continued to speak. He even turned his head to hear better and once he did, abruptly frowned in confusion.]
Eh? My stupid-- What does that mean?
[But then, his face dawned a little of realization as he figured out just why that felt so familiar. Diluc used to do this a lot when they were kids, usually when Kaeya was smiling happily about something or other. For whatever reason that confused the heck out of kid!Kaeya, Diluc would blush hard and then smack Kaeya with a pillow! The pillow distracted him from the blushing enough to not think anything of it afterwards.
But now...]
...oh no, you're adorable, Luc. You had a crush on me for that long?!
[He promptly scooted over until he was straddling Diluc and he leaned onto that pillow (after trying to wrestle at least a part of it off his poor lover's face) to grin down at him.]
I'm so flattered.
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But it wasn't proper. Kaeya was his father's ward, they were being raised side by side, they had the Knights to think about and Diluc, of course, would be expected to marry and produce an heir.
He relents enough that Kaeya can pull the pillow back and see at least half of his face. It's enough to show how hard he's blushing.] Shut up.
[Then he flips them both, a clumsy tangle of legs, and pins Kaeya down to the bed with a peculiar gentleness.]
Just shut up. You're insufferable. [Utterly. That's why he's kissing him of course.] How could I not have had a crush on you?
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Needless to say, he really was flattered at this revelation. Mostly because it also validated his own feelings growing up, but never having acted on those feelings because his life was complicated even before he told the other man the truth about his origins. Still, he returned the kiss and then, purposefully, grinned a toothy grin at him.]
Well, I mean, I am irresistible. I suppose it would have only been a matter of time...
[He was a complete wiseass and he knew it.]
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You're terrible.
[Terrible, but very much loved regardless.
Diluc deliberately drapes his entire weight against Kaeya's chest, grinning right back at him.]
I can't help but think I've given you a weapon.
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He returned the kiss now that he was able and shrugged as best as he could while pinned down like this.]
Like you don't already have a weapon of your own. This just evens the playing field.
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[Maybe he didn't want the playing field to be evened! It honestly feels like it puts him at a disadvantage, for Kaeya to know what that specific expression can trigger in him. Still, he can't really be angry about it... it would be silly to be angry about it.
He shifts his weight to settle next to Kaeya instead and presses his nose against the younger man's neck.]
Well, now you know. I'm only surprised it took you this long to figure it out.
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[He grumbled a laugh, curling his arm around Diluc's shoulders to pass his fingers through the thick red mane.]
You stopped doing it when we couldn't share rooms anymore and the last four years wasn't exactly conducive to getting smacked with a pillow just for smiling...
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[It's become easier to think back on those times of late. The sting that always came with reminiscing has gone as his love for this man has grown stronger, and he thinks that even if their relationship had not taken this turn they would still be able to look at their past with more fondness than before.
Diluc drops a kiss to the other man's shoulder, smiling into it.]
Shall we get some sleep?
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[Kaeya teased lightly but settled in all the same. Honestly, he was a little flattered Diluc had a crush on him since their were kids. It validated his own crush, certainly.
But now was time to sleep he settled in easy as the drowsiness of the evening and their late night activities finally washed over him.]
Love you.
🎀
Love you too, Kae.
[Gods, with all his heart, he loves him.]
text; un: bard
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[ And it doesn't take him long to show up because that's how he does things. He was already on his way when he asked the question; having the feeling Kaeya would tell him he could come by. He's happy to see the young man. Really happy. But he doesn't jump right in for a hug because - well, if the other is hurting he doesn't want to make anything worse. ]
You don't look that bad at all.
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Kaeya just gave him a small, rueful smile. Yeah, he wasn't so sure about that. His chest was wrapped for his cracked ribs and his knee was wrapped and splinted to keep in place while he healed. Otherwise, he had quite a few cuts and bruises and a split lip.]
Not sure I believe that even from you, but come here.
[He opened his arms up for a hug. It's fine, Venti, just don't squeeze too tight.]
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[ It's true! But he's more or less just happy that Kaeya is safe and can recover from this. He has that much to be grateful for. He's gentle when he moves forward, moving to wrap his arms around the other's shoulders rather than his middle. Venti presses a soft kiss to Kaeya's temple. ]
I'm happy you're safe.
[ And he opts against asking too many questions about how it happened. Things get...crazy here sometimes. ]
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I hate this place sometimes.
[He kept his arms around Venti. He wasn't going back on what he told Chuuya, he wasn't blaming the man for what happened as it had been largely out of his control. But they weren't fooling themselves either, had Chuuya succeeded in killing Kaeya then he wasn't sure what would have happened with Diluc or even Venti.
He knew they wouldn't forgive Chuuya at that point. There was no coming back from that. But he also didn't exactly appreciate having yet another near death experience at the hands of someone he cared about too. His arms tightened around Venti.]
It's a wonder how this place even survived with all this nonsense happening.
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[ Well, and time loops plus Sora magic. There's a lot more to it than simply because people lived. He knows that. He knows Kaeya does, too. ]
Can I join you?
[ He'll climb right in next to Kaeya and take up as little space as possible. He'll get close and cuddle up to him. He will give him all the love that he could possibly want and then some. ]
And next time, though there better not actually be a next time, I can heal you, you know? Just ask. I'd do it with everything I got. Not without questioning how, though.
[ Or who does he have to beat up. ]
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[It was a very bratty and pouty answer that Kaeya replied with, but there was no heat or malice behind it. He was just tired and in pain.
He lifted the blanket for Venti to slide in and cuddle in close. Kaeya eagerly buried his face against the archon's chest. He sighed softly.]
I don't want there to be a next time either, but duly noted. I don't think I've gotten in this much trouble even in all my years in the Knights.
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You are getting in an awful lot of trouble. I'm just happy you're safe now, Kaeya.
[ And that is said sincerely. ]
Don't know what I'd do if you had been seriously injured.
text; un: ragnvindr
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[Duh. The reply came very fast and easily.
But then a few moments later (please imagine the double take)]
Wait. Why?
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Silver or gold?
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[May as well change it up a little but what is this man up to?]
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Now pick a number between one and seven.
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This is weird.
7
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What could it be?
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I think you'll like it.
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I don't mind presents, mind you, but it does feel a bit out of the blue.
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[Fair enough, though.]
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Clearly you're a good influence.
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[to be fair, it wasn't like Kaeya was all that afraid of them now. He certainly had outgrown that fear, but he is wary of them regardless.]
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[He was making it clear he was merely pouting and not actually hurt or upset about all this. Kaeya was just being bratty through his embarrassment.]
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If you're still scared of ducks, I have bad news about swans.
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[Gods damned murder birds.]
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...how did we get to geese, anyway?
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What ever happened.
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Yes, that would explain everything wouldn't it.
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[Nevermind that now it's Kaeya who tells that story and the nuns hate him for it.]
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That's okay. Adelinde and I know the truth and your secret is safe with us.
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But was it really such a bad one?
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text; un: chuuya
missing you this morning.
[Which might be a normal enough message from Chuuya if not for the image attached, that... certainly changes the tone of things. It looks like it was taken while he was getting ready for his day?]
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That's lovely, but I'm fairly certain this was not for my eyes. ;)
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Before his expression freezes at the image attachment he apparently sent. Except--]
I didn't send that!!!
[He's so glad Kaeya can't see his face right now, since the blush is only partially from the weird snafu. A bit of it is definitely at the 'that's lovely' bit.]
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[And while Kaeya can't see his face, it might be easy to tell he's flustered, because--]
I'd at least ask first, geez!
[His filter is even less than usual. excuse him while he stares at the text he sent and just. dies.]
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[Sorry, Chuuya.]
It's okay to admit you sent it to the wrong person, you know. I won't tell~
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[Listen he considers it a blanket permission okay--]
I might have sent him some at work though.
[But STILL--]
But I swear, I didn't send it at all! My phone's been in my pocket since I left for the day!
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Well, alright, maybe a little. I wasn't the intended recipient, after all. Alas.
But tsk tsk, being risque while on the job! Whatever shall I do with you?
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[Wow, Kaeya is probably the last person allowed to judge him for messing with Diluc--
That being said... beneath Chuuya's embarrassment for the whole mess, there's something he's noting in that response.
And zeroing in on.]
'Alas'? So if I had sent that to you, you'd welcome it?
[oh.]
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I would, actually. I wasn't lying when I said it was a lovely picture.
[As lovely as it can be given the picture quality but Kaeya can imagine just fine.]
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[And oh, Kaeya-- that was permission, in Chuuya's mind. He's going to have to Do Something with this.]
Well now... I'll have to keep that in mind for later. It's quite flattering, coming from someone like you.
I'll have to take a nice one, just for you.
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[Of course it was permission! Not that he would outright say that, but the message was pretty clear.]
Well, I do try.
Oh-ho, really? At least take me out on a date first before you start wooing me with your body!
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[He can only imagine what kind of flirtations Kaeya might send, though....
He's caught himself flirting a few times, just barely.]
And would you let me?
Take you out on a date, that is.
[It's impulsive and poorly planned, but that feels so much like an invitation, like Kaeya might welcome it.]
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[He is pretty sure Diluc would be mad if he told someone that a certain kind of smile randomly flusters him.
But speaking of getting flustered, Kaeya felt his face abruptly flush when he realized that Chuuya was actually being serious. Maybe. Possibly. Kaeya had been teasing because that's just what he does and figured Chuuya was just playing along.
And it wasn't that Kaeya wouldn't date Chuuya, he just always figured that between himself and Diluc, Chuuya only had eyes for Diluc. But apparently not.]
I.
[Oops, sent that too early. Ugh, this was embarrassing.]
I would.
If you're actually serious.
Are you serious?
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fuck.
And yeah, okay, the lack of skill to the asking is definitely why Kaeya thinks he isn't serious, isn't it?
But he can work with this. He's nothing if not honest about how he feels.]
Absolutely serious. I wouldn't ask you out as a jest.
['Sorry, I don't have a lot of experience at this' is an excuse, so he doesn't send it. he deletes that response before sending, types again.]
You've become really important to me. I like spending time with you a whole lot, and you're so easy to talk to I forget myself sometimes. I've worried I've crossed a line for awhile, with some of the things I say... hell, things I've thought. But...
[He is never ever ever going to live down the fact that one of his first thoughts on seeing Kaeya after he tried to kill him was how beautiful he was.]
Well, it's all true. You're fun to spend time with, you're funny and smart. I lose track of time when we're hanging out. And I don't know if you realize how rare that is with me, but it's a big deal to find someone I'm that comfortable with.
And I really would like to do something special with you. If you're interested.
[Thank fuck this is over text, it means he's at least semi-coherent.]
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I'm interested. You certainly have a way with words.
So... When this is all over?
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I've never asked someone out before, okay? I don't got a lot of experience.
But yeah, after this curse business is over and done with seems like the best idea.
[Since running afoul of well, any of the carnage going on in the streets would probably put a damper on the date.]
I'll be looking forward to it.
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But yes, I will be looking forward to it as well. I suppose I'll take this time to plan what we could do.
text; un: bard - this comes late one night.
Are you awake?
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[ No room to talk. ]
Making me feel like such a lucky bard. I should write a song of your beauty so all in the future will know.
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Besides, I want all of your attention on me.
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What is keeping you awake, darling? Hmmm...deciding if I like that pet name. I'll have to try it in person, too.
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Diluc and Chuuya aren't home so I'm lonely and I can't sleep. I am cozy in bed with a book, though. So it is not all bad.
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action;
Did you say apple pie?
text; un: ragnvindr
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[Of course, he was excited so it was a little less than 30 minutes that Kaeya was walking through the door.
He sat down to untie his boots and shrug off his jacket.]
I'm home!
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There's excitement and nervousness buzzing in the pit of his stomach, but he manages to keep it off his face as he meets Kaeya at the door and waits for him to finish with his jacket and boots before he gives him a kiss.]
Hey.
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He stood up and returned the miss, none the wiser to Diluc's actual plans.]
My, you certainly went all out. What's the occasion?
[A small tease and a chuckle.]
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[And he hasn't over-cooked, there's enough for the two of them. Diluc smiles and pulls a box out from behind his back, offering it over to the man.]
Remember all those strange questions I asked you? This is what that was for. You can open it now, if you want to.
[And this, of course, is completely a diversion for the other thing he has planned, but he thinks Kaeya will like it anyway.]
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He took the box offered, very curious given he had nearly forgotten about those silly questions due to the conversation turned into his hilarious fear of aquatic birds.]
Ah, I had been wondering what could have you asking those-
[He stopped short when he got the box opened, gasping even. Oh, this was gorgeous! He held up the hairpin to the light.]
This is beautiful, Diluc. Did you want us to match one of these days?
[An affectionate tease as he eagerly went to the kitchen table and held it out for Diluc as he sat down.]
Put it on, I want to see how it looks. Please?
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[He rearranges Kaeya's hair before he takes the pin, making sure there's enough for him to push it into, then he plucks it from Kaeya's hand and sets it into his hair with a smile.]
I knew you'd like it. It looks beautiful.
[As Kaeya always does.]
There's something I've been wanting to talk to you about, as well. [His voice wavers faintly on the last word. Diluc clears his throat and turns away to attend to his cooking.] Something important.
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He tilted his head in curiosity.]
Oh? This sounds serious. I'm not in trouble, am I?
[The room didn't grow tense and he didn't get that feeling from Diluc, he doubted he was. He let out a soft laugh, propping his chin on the table with his hands.]
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[Diluc is rarely so roundabout when Kaeya is in trouble, though the two of them rarely argue about too much anymore and even more rarely anything serious. He looks over his shoulder to where the other man is sitting and smiles, chuckling at his innocent expression.]
I've just been thinking... about what happens when we go home. [It's inevitable. They both know it, but it's not something they allow to hang over their relationship. Simply enjoying things in the now is something that they have both learned together. Diluc has never really brought it up.] I've been so happy with you here, Kaeya, and it isn't something I want to lose.
[He takes a breath, and turns around with one hand pushed into a pocket.]
You know, I'd not given too much thought about spending the rest of my life with somebody. There were always other things... other priorities that would always come first. I didn't think I'd find someone who would be able to understand that. But... [A few more strands of his hair flush blue.] You do. You always did. You understand me better than anyone.
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He froze a little, at the mention of what might happen when they go home. If they go home. There was a chance they lose what they had here, wasn't there? But Kaeya wasn't following why it was being brought up, they generally didn't think too hard on it. It was something for them to worry about if or when it happened.
His eye followed Diluc's hand for a moment, before blinking back up to the other man. He was confused by now, but there was a flutter in his stomach as he watched more blue flush into Diluc's red hair.]
Ah... you... er, well, we did grow up together. That much was always a given. You taught just about everything I know. Stands to reason I'd know you well.
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... Mmn. You know me, you make me the happiest I've ever been, and that's why--
[That's why--
He closes the distance between them and takes Kaeya's left hand with his free one. He squeezes it, rubs his thumb over the other man's knuckles, then kneels down next to the chair. His hand comes out of his pocket, holding a slim ring.]
I want to make a promise to you, right now, that-- that when we go back, I'm going to ask you to marry me. And I hope you'll say yes.
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He found his vision blurring, eyes welling with tears and easily spilling over. He didn't quite know what to say, his words caught in his throat. So, he nodded. Vigorously.]
Yes.
[His chest hiccuped right then, embarrassingly. But he couldn't do much else right now. He couldn't even see the ring properly and he reached up with his other hand to scrub at his eyes.]
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I love you so much.
[He stands, though he's still bent over as he cups Kaeya's face in both hands and kisses him again, and again.]
So emotional. What am I going to do with you?
[Never mind that Diluc sounds just on the edge of tears as well.]
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[But he let out a wet laugh despite the whine. He shoved his eyepatch off to properly scrub at his eyes but he really couldn't stop crying at how happy he felt.
Kaeya simply gave up and wrapped his arms around Diluc. His voice was muffled now into his shoulder.]
Love you too.
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You wouldn't know what was going on if I stopped teasing you. [He says as he cups the back of the other man's head and presses a few kisses along his hairline and against his temple.]
Should I have waited until after we'd eaten?
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[He couldn't deny that if Diluc stopped teasing he wouldn't know what was going on. It was just how their relationship worked these days and he wouldn't have it any other way.
He pulled back with a huff and a sniffle.]
'm going to go clean my face while you finish up with dinner. It smells nice.
[He looked very embarrassed now, but he wasn't regretting it. But he also didn't want to continue looking like a mess, even if seeing the ring was threatening to make another fresh wave of tears fall.]
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[When it comes down to it, that all went... pretty much entirely to plan. Diluc stands up to let Kaeya up as well, then lands a kiss on one of his damp cheeks before he can get too far away.
While he's gone he finishes cooking and setting out the plates, and when the other man gets back he will find a meal waiting for him and Diluc seated, ready to open a bottle of wine.]
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But both had been here for well over a year now. There was no hint of when they would go home. The promise made sense and perhaps something to revisit the following year.
With that thought, Kaeya felt himself finally calm down enough to walk back to the kitchen to find the dinner already set and plated and a fresh bottle of wine ready to be opened.]
This looks wonderful, Diluc. Am I to assume this is in combination with my birthday tomorrow?
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Once the other man comes back everythihng is ready, and Diluc is waiting. He smiles brightly when his partner enters the room.]
No, of course not. I did it today to keep it from overshadowing your birthday.
[The thought had occurred to him to do it then, but he had decided against it.]
But I promise there are no more emotional shocks in store.
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[Kaeya couldn't help but comment wryly even as he smiled. He still had no plans for tomorrow, though.
At least he could spend it relaxing, maybe. Admire the ring way too much. Get some good, hot food and maybe a slice of cake. Kaeya was never one to bring attention when it came to his birthday.]
I love you, Diluc.
[Kaeya felt his face grow warm and he looked away, playing a little with the ornament in his hair.]
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[Tomorrow, Kaeya was going to get to spend the day being utterly spoiled by Diluc and he was going to like it. It would probably be easier to make him give in, since he'd likely still be reeling from this little surprise.
No overdoing it, but he would be getting a lot of attention from his boyfriend.]
I love you too, Kaeya.
[He reaches across the table to take hold of his hand and gives it a gentle squeeze. Diluc can see how overwhelmed he is. It's easy to read it.] Shall I open the wine? It's one of the bottles I was hiding from Venti.
backdated to november bc winter sucks
The closest he's probably managed is asking a coworker out for some casual drinks and the occasionally just as casual sex that happened afterwards. It's never meant anything.
And this thing with Kaeya is just the opposite. Which means he's nervous about everything.
He might have bugged Diluc for tips on what and what not to do, and fussed over his wardrobe more than a little. He'd spent a few days debating on if flowers would be too much for a first date, and what type. He checked various restaurants and locations, trying to find a place he thought Kaeya would definitely enjoy.
So on the day of, when he shows up at Diluc and Kaeya's place, he's doing his best to seem collected and self-assured. He knocks on the door with a small bouquet of winter flowers in blues, whites and purples in his hand, dressed sharply in a black jacket and vest, with a shirt a rich shade of red.
There's a bright smile on his face when Kaeya opens the door, but there is no hiding the slight flush to his cheeks that betrays the nervous energy buzzing through him.] Hey.
You're fiiine
But, he managed to keep it together as he slid the door opened. He was dressed in a similar manner rather than the Eastern styles he had adopted lately. A rich blue vest with a white shirt and coat. Unbottoned, of course, even in the cooler weather. He smiled brightly and reached out for the flowers.]
Hello. For me?
[His hair was also pulled up in a high ponytail. Most of his bangs fell to one side, the rest pinned by decorations in the shape of shells. Actual shells, too. Diluc had found some small enough and sturdy enough, in a solid color, to have crafted into hair accessories.]
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Though the pause between Kaeya's words and Chuuya's response is noticeable, because of it.]
Yeah. A lil bird told me roses were off limits, and those're cliche anyway. But I thought these flowers suited you.
[He hands the flowers to Kaeya, a giddy light in his eyes.]
You look amazing.
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Thank you. I could say the same about you. In fact...
[He got his wits about him and lowered the flowers to lean forward. Yes, he was using his height to his advantage.]
You look absolutely stunning.