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[So much for a date...]
[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.]
[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.]
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.]
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 -- ]
Let me braid your hair sometime.
[ 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.
Of course, and he's going to owe me a favour.
[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.
[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.
[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.]
And why do you want to braid my hair?
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?
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.]
Orange juice is fine.
[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.
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.
[ 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.]
Yeah, I'm not seeing the experience.
[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.
[He chuckles dryly.]
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.
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.
I do!
[ 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. ]
[ 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.]
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.]
Edited 2021-10-09 21:53 (UTC)
Mm, not yet. But I like to keep my options open.
[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 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.
[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.]
Are you home?
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?
[The response is almost immediate.]
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.
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.
[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.]
I'm making tea, do you want to join me?
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?
Already had tea. I’d just be poor company.
[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.
[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.
[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-]
Please?
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?
[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.]
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 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?]
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.]
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.]
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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