![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
[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.]
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.]
I know. Go to sleep.
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.
Mm.
[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.]
[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.]
Tell me again about my cute face, Kaeya~
[ 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.
[ 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?
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'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.
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.
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.]
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.
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.
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.]
...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.]
You have appeased Barbatos.
[ 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 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.]
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.]
It does~!
[ 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 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. ]
I see...
[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?
[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?
[ 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.
[ Like - well, someone he loves. ]
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. ]
[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.]
I'll see you later, then.
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.
[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.]
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.]
[It's oddly difficult to put this message together. Why does he feel guilty about it? And yet oddly excited too. And... anxious.
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.
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.
I wouldn't ask you if I didn't want you there.
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?
[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?
[By the seven just kill him why don't you.
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.
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.
Page 6 of 18