[He hadn't meant all-out in a sense that Diluc made too much or anything of the sort. Just the fact that he could smell that there was more than one of his favorite foods in the house.
He took the box offered, very curious given he had nearly forgotten about those silly questions due to the conversation turned into his hilarious fear of aquatic birds.]
Ah, I had been wondering what could have you asking those-
[He stopped short when he got the box opened, gasping even. Oh, this was gorgeous! He held up the hairpin to the light.]
This is beautiful, Diluc. Did you want us to match one of these days?
[An affectionate tease as he eagerly went to the kitchen table and held it out for Diluc as he sat down.]
[He rearranges Kaeya's hair before he takes the pin, making sure there's enough for him to push it into, then he plucks it from Kaeya's hand and sets it into his hair with a smile.]
I knew you'd like it. It looks beautiful.
[As Kaeya always does.]
There's something I've been wanting to talk to you about, as well. [His voice wavers faintly on the last word. Diluc clears his throat and turns away to attend to his cooking.] Something important.
[Kaeya was still thinking this was all an early birthday thing and he waited patiently as Diluc rearranged his hair to get set the ornament in. He was quite pleased and the food smelled amazing. It didn't all appear to be done yet, but he could wait.
He tilted his head in curiosity.]
Oh? This sounds serious. I'm not in trouble, am I?
[The room didn't grow tense and he didn't get that feeling from Diluc, he doubted he was. He let out a soft laugh, propping his chin on the table with his hands.]
[Diluc is rarely so roundabout when Kaeya is in trouble, though the two of them rarely argue about too much anymore and even more rarely anything serious. He looks over his shoulder to where the other man is sitting and smiles, chuckling at his innocent expression.]
I've just been thinking... about what happens when we go home. [It's inevitable. They both know it, but it's not something they allow to hang over their relationship. Simply enjoying things in the now is something that they have both learned together. Diluc has never really brought it up.] I've been so happy with you here, Kaeya, and it isn't something I want to lose.
[He takes a breath, and turns around with one hand pushed into a pocket.]
You know, I'd not given too much thought about spending the rest of my life with somebody. There were always other things... other priorities that would always come first. I didn't think I'd find someone who would be able to understand that. But... [A few more strands of his hair flush blue.] You do. You always did. You understand me better than anyone.
[That's why Kaeya was simply all smiles and curiosity, instead of tense and anxious.
He froze a little, at the mention of what might happen when they go home. If they go home. There was a chance they lose what they had here, wasn't there? But Kaeya wasn't following why it was being brought up, they generally didn't think too hard on it. It was something for them to worry about if or when it happened.
His eye followed Diluc's hand for a moment, before blinking back up to the other man. He was confused by now, but there was a flutter in his stomach as he watched more blue flush into Diluc's red hair.]
Ah... you... er, well, we did grow up together. That much was always a given. You taught just about everything I know. Stands to reason I'd know you well.
[He did have it planned out in his head. What he'd say. How he'd say it. But all of that unfortunately went right out of the window the moment Kaeya walked into the house. Diluc is entirely winging it right now and just hoping it makes sense.]
... Mmn. You know me, you make me the happiest I've ever been, and that's why--
[That's why--
He closes the distance between them and takes Kaeya's left hand with his free one. He squeezes it, rubs his thumb over the other man's knuckles, then kneels down next to the chair. His hand comes out of his pocket, holding a slim ring.]
I want to make a promise to you, right now, that-- that when we go back, I'm going to ask you to marry me. And I hope you'll say yes.
[As soon as Diluc knelt down beside him, Kaeya felt his face from the tips of his ears down to his chest. It wasn't exactly a marriage proposal, but a promise of one for when they returned home. He wanted to ask what if they never did go home, but he couldn't find it in himself to ask. Because he wanted to believe, too. That it was simply a matter of when, not if, they go home.
He found his vision blurring, eyes welling with tears and easily spilling over. He didn't quite know what to say, his words caught in his throat. So, he nodded. Vigorously.]
Yes.
[His chest hiccuped right then, embarrassingly. But he couldn't do much else right now. He couldn't even see the ring properly and he reached up with his other hand to scrub at his eyes.]
[Never is a long time. Perhaps, if another year from now they were still here and still happy, he would revisit the idea of waiting until they returned to Mondstadt. He had not truly expected that Kaeya would say no, but as that choked out agreement leaves him Diluc feels a snapping of tension that he had barely realised was there. He breathes out a laugh, pushes the ring in his hand up onto Kaeya's finger, then shifts up to kiss him warmly.]
I love you so much.
[He stands, though he's still bent over as he cups Kaeya's face in both hands and kisses him again, and again.]
So emotional. What am I going to do with you?
[Never mind that Diluc sounds just on the edge of tears as well.]
[But he let out a wet laugh despite the whine. He shoved his eyepatch off to properly scrub at his eyes but he really couldn't stop crying at how happy he felt.
Kaeya simply gave up and wrapped his arms around Diluc. His voice was muffled now into his shoulder.]
[It's a little awkward to lean down and hug him like this, but Diluc wraps his arms around his partner and nuzzles fondly against the side of his neck with a warm smile.]
You wouldn't know what was going on if I stopped teasing you. [He says as he cups the back of the other man's head and presses a few kisses along his hairline and against his temple.]
[He couldn't deny that if Diluc stopped teasing he wouldn't know what was going on. It was just how their relationship worked these days and he wouldn't have it any other way.
He pulled back with a huff and a sniffle.]
'm going to go clean my face while you finish up with dinner. It smells nice.
[He looked very embarrassed now, but he wasn't regretting it. But he also didn't want to continue looking like a mess, even if seeing the ring was threatening to make another fresh wave of tears fall.]
[When it comes down to it, that all went... pretty much entirely to plan. Diluc stands up to let Kaeya up as well, then lands a kiss on one of his damp cheeks before he can get too far away.
While he's gone he finishes cooking and setting out the plates, and when the other man gets back he will find a meal waiting for him and Diluc seated, ready to open a bottle of wine.]
[Kaeya cleaned himself up in the bathroom, the cool water helping with the warmth in his eyes as he got himself to calm down over the whole thing. This wasn't a marriage proposal, but it was a promise of one. There was always the chance of their return home, after all, and it made more sense for it to happen there than here.
But both had been here for well over a year now. There was no hint of when they would go home. The promise made sense and perhaps something to revisit the following year.
With that thought, Kaeya felt himself finally calm down enough to walk back to the kitchen to find the dinner already set and plated and a fresh bottle of wine ready to be opened.]
This looks wonderful, Diluc. Am I to assume this is in combination with my birthday tomorrow?
[He does consider that maybe he should not have sprung it on Kaeya like that, but... in the end, he did want it to be a surprise. Of course it does occur to him that regardless of how he had gone about it Kaeya would have never seen it coming anyway. He's just like that.
Once the other man comes back everythihng is ready, and Diluc is waiting. He smiles brightly when his partner enters the room.]
No, of course not. I did it today to keep it from overshadowing your birthday.
[The thought had occurred to him to do it then, but he had decided against it.]
But I promise there are no more emotional shocks in store.
[Kaeya couldn't help but comment wryly even as he smiled. He still had no plans for tomorrow, though.
At least he could spend it relaxing, maybe. Admire the ring way too much. Get some good, hot food and maybe a slice of cake. Kaeya was never one to bring attention when it came to his birthday.]
I love you, Diluc.
[Kaeya felt his face grow warm and he looked away, playing a little with the ornament in his hair.]
[Tomorrow, Kaeya was going to get to spend the day being utterly spoiled by Diluc and he was going to like it. It would probably be easier to make him give in, since he'd likely still be reeling from this little surprise.
No overdoing it, but he would be getting a lot of attention from his boyfriend.]
I love you too, Kaeya.
[He reaches across the table to take hold of his hand and gives it a gentle squeeze. Diluc can see how overwhelmed he is. It's easy to read it.] Shall I open the wine? It's one of the bottles I was hiding from Venti.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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[And he hasn't over-cooked, there's enough for the two of them. Diluc smiles and pulls a box out from behind his back, offering it over to the man.]
Remember all those strange questions I asked you? This is what that was for. You can open it now, if you want to.
[And this, of course, is completely a diversion for the other thing he has planned, but he thinks Kaeya will like it anyway.]
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He took the box offered, very curious given he had nearly forgotten about those silly questions due to the conversation turned into his hilarious fear of aquatic birds.]
Ah, I had been wondering what could have you asking those-
[He stopped short when he got the box opened, gasping even. Oh, this was gorgeous! He held up the hairpin to the light.]
This is beautiful, Diluc. Did you want us to match one of these days?
[An affectionate tease as he eagerly went to the kitchen table and held it out for Diluc as he sat down.]
Put it on, I want to see how it looks. Please?
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[He rearranges Kaeya's hair before he takes the pin, making sure there's enough for him to push it into, then he plucks it from Kaeya's hand and sets it into his hair with a smile.]
I knew you'd like it. It looks beautiful.
[As Kaeya always does.]
There's something I've been wanting to talk to you about, as well. [His voice wavers faintly on the last word. Diluc clears his throat and turns away to attend to his cooking.] Something important.
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He tilted his head in curiosity.]
Oh? This sounds serious. I'm not in trouble, am I?
[The room didn't grow tense and he didn't get that feeling from Diluc, he doubted he was. He let out a soft laugh, propping his chin on the table with his hands.]
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[Diluc is rarely so roundabout when Kaeya is in trouble, though the two of them rarely argue about too much anymore and even more rarely anything serious. He looks over his shoulder to where the other man is sitting and smiles, chuckling at his innocent expression.]
I've just been thinking... about what happens when we go home. [It's inevitable. They both know it, but it's not something they allow to hang over their relationship. Simply enjoying things in the now is something that they have both learned together. Diluc has never really brought it up.] I've been so happy with you here, Kaeya, and it isn't something I want to lose.
[He takes a breath, and turns around with one hand pushed into a pocket.]
You know, I'd not given too much thought about spending the rest of my life with somebody. There were always other things... other priorities that would always come first. I didn't think I'd find someone who would be able to understand that. But... [A few more strands of his hair flush blue.] You do. You always did. You understand me better than anyone.
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He froze a little, at the mention of what might happen when they go home. If they go home. There was a chance they lose what they had here, wasn't there? But Kaeya wasn't following why it was being brought up, they generally didn't think too hard on it. It was something for them to worry about if or when it happened.
His eye followed Diluc's hand for a moment, before blinking back up to the other man. He was confused by now, but there was a flutter in his stomach as he watched more blue flush into Diluc's red hair.]
Ah... you... er, well, we did grow up together. That much was always a given. You taught just about everything I know. Stands to reason I'd know you well.
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... Mmn. You know me, you make me the happiest I've ever been, and that's why--
[That's why--
He closes the distance between them and takes Kaeya's left hand with his free one. He squeezes it, rubs his thumb over the other man's knuckles, then kneels down next to the chair. His hand comes out of his pocket, holding a slim ring.]
I want to make a promise to you, right now, that-- that when we go back, I'm going to ask you to marry me. And I hope you'll say yes.
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He found his vision blurring, eyes welling with tears and easily spilling over. He didn't quite know what to say, his words caught in his throat. So, he nodded. Vigorously.]
Yes.
[His chest hiccuped right then, embarrassingly. But he couldn't do much else right now. He couldn't even see the ring properly and he reached up with his other hand to scrub at his eyes.]
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I love you so much.
[He stands, though he's still bent over as he cups Kaeya's face in both hands and kisses him again, and again.]
So emotional. What am I going to do with you?
[Never mind that Diluc sounds just on the edge of tears as well.]
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[But he let out a wet laugh despite the whine. He shoved his eyepatch off to properly scrub at his eyes but he really couldn't stop crying at how happy he felt.
Kaeya simply gave up and wrapped his arms around Diluc. His voice was muffled now into his shoulder.]
Love you too.
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You wouldn't know what was going on if I stopped teasing you. [He says as he cups the back of the other man's head and presses a few kisses along his hairline and against his temple.]
Should I have waited until after we'd eaten?
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[He couldn't deny that if Diluc stopped teasing he wouldn't know what was going on. It was just how their relationship worked these days and he wouldn't have it any other way.
He pulled back with a huff and a sniffle.]
'm going to go clean my face while you finish up with dinner. It smells nice.
[He looked very embarrassed now, but he wasn't regretting it. But he also didn't want to continue looking like a mess, even if seeing the ring was threatening to make another fresh wave of tears fall.]
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[When it comes down to it, that all went... pretty much entirely to plan. Diluc stands up to let Kaeya up as well, then lands a kiss on one of his damp cheeks before he can get too far away.
While he's gone he finishes cooking and setting out the plates, and when the other man gets back he will find a meal waiting for him and Diluc seated, ready to open a bottle of wine.]
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But both had been here for well over a year now. There was no hint of when they would go home. The promise made sense and perhaps something to revisit the following year.
With that thought, Kaeya felt himself finally calm down enough to walk back to the kitchen to find the dinner already set and plated and a fresh bottle of wine ready to be opened.]
This looks wonderful, Diluc. Am I to assume this is in combination with my birthday tomorrow?
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Once the other man comes back everythihng is ready, and Diluc is waiting. He smiles brightly when his partner enters the room.]
No, of course not. I did it today to keep it from overshadowing your birthday.
[The thought had occurred to him to do it then, but he had decided against it.]
But I promise there are no more emotional shocks in store.
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[Kaeya couldn't help but comment wryly even as he smiled. He still had no plans for tomorrow, though.
At least he could spend it relaxing, maybe. Admire the ring way too much. Get some good, hot food and maybe a slice of cake. Kaeya was never one to bring attention when it came to his birthday.]
I love you, Diluc.
[Kaeya felt his face grow warm and he looked away, playing a little with the ornament in his hair.]
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[Tomorrow, Kaeya was going to get to spend the day being utterly spoiled by Diluc and he was going to like it. It would probably be easier to make him give in, since he'd likely still be reeling from this little surprise.
No overdoing it, but he would be getting a lot of attention from his boyfriend.]
I love you too, Kaeya.
[He reaches across the table to take hold of his hand and gives it a gentle squeeze. Diluc can see how overwhelmed he is. It's easy to read it.] Shall I open the wine? It's one of the bottles I was hiding from Venti.