[ Guess who is appearing in your place, Kaeya. Since he mentions leaving the door unlocked, he's just going to walk inside. He doesn't look around, instead he stands in the doorway. ]
Kaeya.
[ There's none of the typical tease in his tone. It's just -- a call for his attention. ]
[His voice was muffled since he had his face in a pillow, face down and trying to figure out if what happened the other day actually happened. He dressed in a loose shirt and pants, making it clear he never got out of bed since waking up.
There was a very familiar red streak of hair cutting through the dark blue of his hair, all the way down the rat tail.]
[ He says it again as he navigates to the bedroom and steps inside. That streak of hair stands out and he won't call it out, not yet. But he'll approach the bed and sit down beside Kaeya. ]
[Kaeya finally shifted to lay on his side, flopping back down and sighing heavily. He shrugged. The area around the corner of his mouth was heavily bruised and his lips were scabbed from where they’d split.]
I’m not feeling bad, if that’s what you’re asking. And before you ask, Diluc didn’t hit me. This was just an unfortunate incident down in the lower markets.
[ He brushes his fingers over his hair, sighing deeply. He wouldn't have thought Diluc would have hit Kaeya, anyway. From what he could discern from what he had witnessed, the fists would have thrown instead of the shouting, anyway. ]
Do you? You don't have to tell me anything, but if you want to - you can.
[He laughed self-deprecatingly. He quietly took Venti’s hand and tugged him over. He wasn’t sure why but the sudden need to hold him was strong. He shoved the covers down a little bit to let Venti in.]
He’s willing to give me a chance. He even stayed for dinner. I’m having a hard time believing it’s real.
[His hair also began to glow teal at the tips, not quite overshadowing the streak of red but it certainly seemed to compliment it as much as teal, red, and blue could.]
[ Guess who's gonna crawl right into his sheets and start to snuggle up. He reaches up, a hand pressed to Kaeya's cheek. Kaeya will notice the cool metal touch his cheek when Venti does. ]
I'm glad. That's a lot already, isn't it?
[ He lets out a soft, airy laugh. ]
I tried to talk to him already but it didn't well - it didn't go anywhere.
[ He looks confused for a moment - oh yeah, ring. It's new and he forgets and it's easy for him to not think about it. ]
Oh! [ Oh, that's it. ] No, I'm not getting married. The are kizuna powered and help us find each other if needed. I mean, I am dating someone, but I wouldn't be here if it wasn't okay.
[ There's an easy laugh at that because of the immediate concern. Venti, on the other hand, doesn't even consider the possibility that Xiao could get upset with him over this. He lets out an easy, happy sigh. ]
I'll let him have his space. I made him pretty mad.
[ Big Chaotic Energy. ]
For the record, I'm not here because of him, though. I'm here because of you.
He is. He's from Teyvat, too, actually. I don't think you've met yet.
[ Note to self later. Right now, it's about Kaeya and that's why he's here. There's a soft, amused sound when Kaeya kisses his knuckles. He brings his hands up and gently strokes the other's hair, attention focused on him as he lays there comfortably. ]
Resigned to not getting that? It seems like a pretty big...step.
As well connected as I am, there are going to be those I don’t know or have yet to meet. Especially with how fascinating Teyvat can be.
[A Yaksha was definitely right up that alley, not that Kaeya knew about Xiao or his like.
He sighed softly, shrugged in that careless way again.]
I’m not one to give up, but I also know how stubborn Diluc could be. If I was going to spend the rest of my days poking the bear and hoping Diluc didn’t change his mind about ratting me out then… ahh, seems I never told you why we went from brothers to enemies, have I?
[ Venti wanted them all to get along. The boyfriend he cared for and the friends and people from home. He couldn't guarantee that they would, but he wanted to be optimistic all the same. He moves his hand to Kaeya's face, brushing bangs out of the way, letting out a soft sigh. ]
You didn't. But -- I never asked, I guess. I always tried to be very hands-off, but I see you guys as my friends, not just... my people. I guess.
[ Is that even the proper way. ]
And I think as friends, if you want to share, I'm happy to hear it.
I’ve kept it under wraps for so long, it’s a… bit tricky to suddenly willingly share. Last time I did… well, you know.
[He absently rubbed his eye beneath the patch.]
It’ll have to be abridged. Some of this is actually not my story to tell.
[He waited a few more moments, gathering his thoughts and settling a bit more. He also looked quite nervous at this point.]
I’m not just from Khaenri’ah. I was… planted in Mondstadt. I had a mission, I am… was? the last hope for our people. Being taken in by the Ragvindr’s wasn’t exactly by chance but they never knew. All these years and I heard nothing from my father or anyone, not since he left me on the side of the road. So, I grew up and learned how much I really loved the people of Mondstadt.
When… when our father died, I couldn’t keep the secret inside anymore. I needed to tell Diluc, he deserved to know. Our father’s death, as selfish as it was for me to think, was a relief because I was able to finally make the choice. I just made the mistake of telling Diluc not too long after… ah, well not too long after Crepus’ death. I knew he would be angry and upset but I essentially added betrayal to the mix.
[He couldn’t talk about the Knighr’s cover up, because he would have to tell more that he didn’t have the right to tell. He sighed, rolling onto his back and rubbing his forehead.]
Diluc has kept the secret all this time and he was the only one I told. I don’t believe I have to tell you that nothing about this can leave this room, right?
[ Venti shifts in close, draping one arm over Kaeya's chest when he rolls onto his back. He listened intently. He understood more now than he ever had. He had knowledge about who Kaeya was and where he was from, but that's not surprising. He remembers when Khaenri'ah fell those years ago. It's a long passed memory, but one all the same. Despite that, he had never really been suspicious of Kaeya's intention. The man --
seemed to love Mondstadt. ]
I know you're from Khhaenri'ah, but I've always saw you as one of mine.
[ Which is a way to say it, and he wonders if it is the right way to say it. But it's been said now, and he won't go back on it. Because, of anything he can think of, it's the most accurate way for him to describe how he feels about Kaeya's presence in Mondstadt. He's never really seen him as... anything but a person who loved his city of freedom. ]
Kaeya - I won't say a word. I promise.
[ He lifts a hand, brushing his thumb over the eyepatch. ]
[Kaeya tilted his face into Venti's hand, although he did look a little apprehensive at the touch to his eyepatch. It was a softer kind, easier to sleep with. One would think he wouldn't sleep with it on but surprises happen and he didn't want to be caught off guard without it.]
Thank you. I'm happy to hear that, Venti.
[Not just the keeping secrets but that Venti didn't seem to mind what he just heard. At the very least, he seemed to believe him when he said he loved the place he grew up in. He knew one day his past would come back, he wasn't foolish enough to completely let it go. But for now, he could cherish what he had.
He didn't push Venti's hand away.]
And that's why Diluc and I had been at odds since he returned. And why I'm having trouble believing that this is happening.
[ Kaeya is one of his. One of the people he cares about and wants to be safe. One of the people that, despite his desire to be hands off and let his people have freedom, he couldn't help but desire their safety. His fingers trace over Kaeya's face, soft and gently, settled over the soft fabric of his eyepatch. ]
Did I wake you up when I texted?
[ He sighs. ]
You guys being at odds is so normal. When you start getting along better, you'll stun us all.
[Kaeya didn’t try to push Venti’s hand away. It wasn’t something he wanted to show but he also couldn’t really tell himself that Venti didn’t deserve to see it. After all, it was his and his fellow archons who helped in the fall of his home. He didn’t even think of this in a malicious sense, he just never quite knew what the archons, new and old, thought now of the small amount of people left behind in the wake of the destruction, those Kaeya himself called sinners. It was a very matter of fact thought, but all the same, he conflicted and the confict stayed his hand.]
I didn’t sleep all that much to be honest. Cleaned myself up and then decided the bed was awfully inviting still.
[ He doesn't blame the other. Truth being what it was, he hasn't forgotten what had happened, but he still - Khhaenri'ah was a tricky subject for him. And of his old friends, only Morax was still here. But he wasn't sure it mattered, it wasn't something that they talked about, anyway. He doesn't bring it up, though. Kaeya made his choice - Mondstadt. And that's what matters to Venti.
Kaeya is one of his. ]
I'm confident because you're both good men who have handled something tough already. You did good! It makes me happy.
[ Because he wants the people he cares about to be happy. ]
You guys had the freedom and you made a choice only you could make.
[Kaeya heaved a heavy sigh and turned back onto his side only to press his face into Venti's chest, snaking his arms around the thin waist to hold close. Needless to say, he didn't feel like a good man. The last few days, the tattoos, it's all taken a bit of a toll on him.
Not to mention that, as the reality sank in, Kaeya realized he was utterly terrified. Not just of failing this promise he made, but of the future as well. It wasn't so much if his secret got out, Diluc and Venti would have to tell or perhaps another archon who was there that day would have to see him or what if one of those 'sinners' show up and he finally has to act on his mission?
[ He wrapped his arm's around Kaeya's head and held the other against his chest. The gesture itself is small, but clearly the other man needs some comfort and Venti is here and fine with offering it. His fingers start brushing through the hair on the back of the other's head, stroking gently. ]
I can't imagine it does. But - it's working out. Celebrate the small victories, Kaeya!
[ He sounds...almost cheerful. Almost. Not quite the same high energy you expect from Venti at the mention of a celebration. ]
Don't be so hard on yourself, too.
[ He thinks Kaeya is well loved by the people of Mondstadt. There's no reason for him to think of himself as anything less. Venti fully relaxes, cuddling up against Kaeya feels nice. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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If that's the case, you won't mind me coming over.
Without wine.
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[Of course, the without the wine part let him know it likely wouldn’t be the usual. That was fine as Kaeya was hardly in the mood for that.]
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Kaeya.
[ There's none of the typical tease in his tone. It's just -- a call for his attention. ]
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[His voice was muffled since he had his face in a pillow, face down and trying to figure out if what happened the other day actually happened. He dressed in a loose shirt and pants, making it clear he never got out of bed since waking up.
There was a very familiar red streak of hair cutting through the dark blue of his hair, all the way down the rat tail.]
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[ He says it again as he navigates to the bedroom and steps inside. That streak of hair stands out and he won't call it out, not yet. But he'll approach the bed and sit down beside Kaeya. ]
Hey. So, are you okay for real?
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I’m not feeling bad, if that’s what you’re asking. And before you ask, Diluc didn’t hit me. This was just an unfortunate incident down in the lower markets.
I’m okay. Just have a lot to think about.
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[ He brushes his fingers over his hair, sighing deeply. He wouldn't have thought Diluc would have hit Kaeya, anyway. From what he could discern from what he had witnessed, the fists would have thrown instead of the shouting, anyway. ]
Do you? You don't have to tell me anything, but if you want to - you can.
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[He laughed self-deprecatingly. He quietly took Venti’s hand and tugged him over. He wasn’t sure why but the sudden need to hold him was strong. He shoved the covers down a little bit to let Venti in.]
He’s willing to give me a chance. He even stayed for dinner. I’m having a hard time believing it’s real.
[His hair also began to glow teal at the tips, not quite overshadowing the streak of red but it certainly seemed to compliment it as much as teal, red, and blue could.]
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I'm glad. That's a lot already, isn't it?
[ He lets out a soft, airy laugh. ]
I tried to talk to him already but it didn't well - it didn't go anywhere.
[ Rejected. ]
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Are you getting married or something, Venti? This is new. I hope I’m not getting in between you and someone else.
[He chuckled mildly, his other hand curling under Venti to run his fingers through the shorter hair.]
He probably thinks the same thing I do. Give him a few days and try again.
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[ He looks confused for a moment - oh yeah, ring. It's new and he forgets and it's easy for him to not think about it. ]
Oh! [ Oh, that's it. ] No, I'm not getting married. The are kizuna powered and help us find each other if needed. I mean, I am dating someone, but I wouldn't be here if it wasn't okay.
[ There's an easy laugh at that because of the immediate concern. Venti, on the other hand, doesn't even consider the possibility that Xiao could get upset with him over this. He lets out an easy, happy sigh. ]
I'll let him have his space. I made him pretty mad.
[ Big Chaotic Energy. ]
For the record, I'm not here because of him, though. I'm here because of you.
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[He pressed his lips to those pale knuckles, laughing quietly against them before settling. His smile dropped a little as he sighed.]
I figured, but good to know. He’s probably going to be like that for a few days. I probably won’t be any different.
It’s what I’ve wanted but I just… I think a part of me was always resigned.
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[ Note to self later. Right now, it's about Kaeya and that's why he's here. There's a soft, amused sound when Kaeya kisses his knuckles. He brings his hands up and gently strokes the other's hair, attention focused on him as he lays there comfortably. ]
Resigned to not getting that? It seems like a pretty big...step.
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[A Yaksha was definitely right up that alley, not that Kaeya knew about Xiao or his like.
He sighed softly, shrugged in that careless way again.]
I’m not one to give up, but I also know how stubborn Diluc could be. If I was going to spend the rest of my days poking the bear and hoping Diluc didn’t change his mind about ratting me out then… ahh, seems I never told you why we went from brothers to enemies, have I?
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[ Venti wanted them all to get along. The boyfriend he cared for and the friends and people from home. He couldn't guarantee that they would, but he wanted to be optimistic all the same. He moves his hand to Kaeya's face, brushing bangs out of the way, letting out a soft sigh. ]
You didn't. But -- I never asked, I guess. I always tried to be very hands-off, but I see you guys as my friends, not just... my people. I guess.
[ Is that even the proper way. ]
And I think as friends, if you want to share, I'm happy to hear it.
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I’ve kept it under wraps for so long, it’s a… bit tricky to suddenly willingly share. Last time I did… well, you know.
[He absently rubbed his eye beneath the patch.]
It’ll have to be abridged. Some of this is actually not my story to tell.
[He waited a few more moments, gathering his thoughts and settling a bit more. He also looked quite nervous at this point.]
I’m not just from Khaenri’ah. I was… planted in Mondstadt. I had a mission, I am… was? the last hope for our people. Being taken in by the Ragvindr’s wasn’t exactly by chance but they never knew. All these years and I heard nothing from my father or anyone, not since he left me on the side of the road. So, I grew up and learned how much I really loved the people of Mondstadt.
When… when our father died, I couldn’t keep the secret inside anymore. I needed to tell Diluc, he deserved to know. Our father’s death, as selfish as it was for me to think, was a relief because I was able to finally make the choice. I just made the mistake of telling Diluc not too long after… ah, well not too long after Crepus’ death. I knew he would be angry and upset but I essentially added betrayal to the mix.
[He couldn’t talk about the Knighr’s cover up, because he would have to tell more that he didn’t have the right to tell. He sighed, rolling onto his back and rubbing his forehead.]
Diluc has kept the secret all this time and he was the only one I told. I don’t believe I have to tell you that nothing about this can leave this room, right?
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seemed to love Mondstadt. ]
I know you're from Khhaenri'ah, but I've always saw you as one of mine.
[ Which is a way to say it, and he wonders if it is the right way to say it. But it's been said now, and he won't go back on it. Because, of anything he can think of, it's the most accurate way for him to describe how he feels about Kaeya's presence in Mondstadt. He's never really seen him as... anything but a person who loved his city of freedom. ]
Kaeya - I won't say a word. I promise.
[ He lifts a hand, brushing his thumb over the eyepatch. ]
I'm good at keeping secrets.
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Thank you. I'm happy to hear that, Venti.
[Not just the keeping secrets but that Venti didn't seem to mind what he just heard. At the very least, he seemed to believe him when he said he loved the place he grew up in. He knew one day his past would come back, he wasn't foolish enough to completely let it go. But for now, he could cherish what he had.
He didn't push Venti's hand away.]
And that's why Diluc and I had been at odds since he returned. And why I'm having trouble believing that this is happening.
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Did I wake you up when I texted?
[ He sighs. ]
You guys being at odds is so normal. When you start getting along better, you'll stun us all.
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[Kaeya didn’t try to push Venti’s hand away. It wasn’t something he wanted to show but he also couldn’t really tell himself that Venti didn’t deserve to see it. After all, it was his and his fellow archons who helped in the fall of his home. He didn’t even think of this in a malicious sense, he just never quite knew what the archons, new and old, thought now of the small amount of people left behind in the wake of the destruction, those Kaeya himself called sinners. It was a very matter of fact thought, but all the same, he conflicted and the confict stayed his hand.]
I didn’t sleep all that much to be honest. Cleaned myself up and then decided the bed was awfully inviting still.
[He chuckled.]
You seem so confident it’ll work out.
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[ He doesn't blame the other. Truth being what it was, he hasn't forgotten what had happened, but he still - Khhaenri'ah was a tricky subject for him. And of his old friends, only Morax was still here. But he wasn't sure it mattered, it wasn't something that they talked about, anyway. He doesn't bring it up, though. Kaeya made his choice - Mondstadt. And that's what matters to Venti.
Kaeya is one of his. ]
I'm confident because you're both good men who have handled something tough already. You did good! It makes me happy.
[ Because he wants the people he cares about to be happy. ]
You guys had the freedom and you made a choice only you could make.
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[Kaeya heaved a heavy sigh and turned back onto his side only to press his face into Venti's chest, snaking his arms around the thin waist to hold close. Needless to say, he didn't feel like a good man. The last few days, the tattoos, it's all taken a bit of a toll on him.
Not to mention that, as the reality sank in, Kaeya realized he was utterly terrified. Not just of failing this promise he made, but of the future as well. It wasn't so much if his secret got out, Diluc and Venti would have to tell or perhaps another archon who was there that day would have to see him or what if one of those 'sinners' show up and he finally has to act on his mission?
It was a lot.]
Doesn't make it any less frightening.
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I can't imagine it does. But - it's working out. Celebrate the small victories, Kaeya!
[ He sounds...almost cheerful. Almost. Not quite the same high energy you expect from Venti at the mention of a celebration. ]
Don't be so hard on yourself, too.
[ He thinks Kaeya is well loved by the people of Mondstadt. There's no reason for him to think of himself as anything less. Venti fully relaxes, cuddling up against Kaeya feels nice. ]
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