[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.]
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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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