[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?
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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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