circuitice | CALL ME OUT

[ the squeeze is centering, he could almost thank Diluc. the littlest lack of kindness did wonders for the clarity of his mind. ]

You can't threaten me this way while holding me so tenderly, Master Diluc. It's just simply not fair.

[ he tilts his head, examining what he can of his eyes. an unspoken invitation. ]

[ not fair, he says. diluc breathes out in much of a way of a sigh. he leans in, each word dropped along the contour of kaeya's cheek, against the curve of his mouth. ]

I should know better than to be fair when it comes to you. [ only an idiot would, when it's kaeya. but it is, after all, temptation. diluc allows their lips to brush together again. it's a moment's grace. ] Well?

You really should know better.

[ kaeya teases, allowing their breaths to continue to dance together. and it's at this point, he allows his free hand to drape across Diluc's shoulder, his fingers carding through the wild mane of red. ]

But, since you've asked so nicely, I might consider.

[ kaeya's fingers slide through diluc's hair. and diluc, who has only ever suffered kaeya's hand through it, gives him a dry look. ]

Consider faster. Or the night will while away before you finish.

[ he laughs, deep and sultry. he could appreciate this. ]

Push someone to make a decision before they can consider all apparent possibilities. Or, while they think they'll miss the opportunity.

Very well, Master Diluc. Just tonight.

[ diluc's lips curve, just so.

the hand in kaeya's grips firm - one last thing. ]

And you will stay for breakfast.

Appending a condition after I agree? Isn't that more than a bit unfair?

[ he realizes the problem with this, as he says it. and so he appends, ]

What if I were to tell you I have patrol?

I would tell you that you are not the only cavalry captain to ever have had patrol in the mornings. Breakfast will be early.

...

[ he pulls back, a petty retribution for the added condition ]

I see.

[ and yet, there's an uncertain flustered tone in his voice, a hint of pink in his cheeks. ]

[ diluc's hand tightens. he is, in fact, going to enforce a no-pulling-away zone. ]

Breakfast, Kaeya.

[ and in the red of his eyes - there may or may not be a hint of good humour. ]

You're a devil.

Very well, Master Diluc.

[ like the reluctance of a scalded cat. diluc, however, is pleased to let go. he returns kaeya's personal space to him with the grace of a single step backward. the distance between the opens up ince more like an inexorable chasm -

the shore on the other side no longer seems so far. ]

Rinse out your glass, then, Sir Kaeya. We can then go.

[ he glances at him, and then exhales softly, mentally preparing himself. home... a concept that he has inexplicable mixed feelings about. he struggles with it, struggles against it.

but the pettiness of Diluc's next move gives him something else to latch onto, other than the churning in his stomach, ]

Is that the cost of a free drink, then? I should propose it to Charles next time.

[ as he picks up the glass, and travels behind the bar, further out of Diluc's immediate reach ]

Charles would be happy to have you rinse your own glass and pay for it. If you would prefer that, I can make the arrangements.

[ in turn, diluc's gaze tracks kaeya's circuitous amble - before he, too, focuses on what needs to be done. the last few chairs are hoisted onto the counter. the floor is checked, the shutters on the windows closed. the angel's share is finally at rest in the dim shadow of the final lit lamp. diluc douses that too on their way out.

mondstadt's night air is crisp, the sweetness of autumn's first apples. the darkness unveils stars. diluc looks, and waits for kaeya to emerge before he locks the door behind them. ]

Was Sumeru everything you thought it would be?

Haaah...

[ he exhales, and glances back at Diluc easily as he performs the last bits of locking up on the tavern. Mulls over that question, before he realizes: he doesn't want to talk about sumeru anymore.

he doesn't want to talk about khaenri'ah anymore. it's a sour subject, one he prefers to mull on his own. one that he doesn't expect anyone to understand. ]

The drinks were nice, but the atmosphere was stuffy. Probably an improvement over the past.

But is that really all you want to talk about? To worry about my attraction to another land?

Surely, even you can come up with more interesting topics, Master Diluc.

[ kaeya's logic rounds. diluc looks, and walks past him. ]

Is that your way of saying that you don't want to approach this topic anymore?

Yes. Unless you want to get to the heart of why you're so curious.

[ he watches him pass, and then takes up space beside him. he wishes he felt a little less mixed emotions. should he back out? should he pretend all is well?

he wishes Diluc was a simple matter for him.

he's not. maybe he never will be again.

no, he definitely will not be again. ]

After all, you're far more well traveled than I. Shouldn't I be the one interrogating you?

I was clear as to why I am curious. And no matter where I have travelled, I cannot answer my own questions.

[ but kaeya's reticence is clear. diluc looks to the stars, and continues to walk. the night is long. ]

Fine. Change the subject, then.

Hahaha, very well.

[ small mercies. he would be okay with silence, or he would have once. but now, silence is a quick way to invoke darker thoughts, and he'd lose his will to keep side by side with Diluc if he allowed that.

and so, he brings up the actual topic of discussion that he'd... ostensibly wanted to tease Diluc with. ]

I did have a contact from Sumeru I wanted to give to you. But given your hard negotiations, perhaps I should extract more of a price, hm~?

[ kaeya's voice lilts. diluc prickles up with a hunting look, eyes narrowed - on guard, but not quite sure why he needs to be. the reason becomes clear soon enough. ]

This is about the spiced wine again.

It is. You're a businessman, and this is a business opportunity.

Don't look so serious, I wouldn't ask for something that might wound your pride.

[ probably ]

And yet you seem all too happy just thinking about it. And? Is this Sumeru contact one that I can't find on my own?

Hahaha. I just want a bottle of the finished product.

But, you're welcome to try, and to start negotiations all over again, if my help is that anathema.

You help is typically suspect. Is a bottle all you want?

[ really. ]

Master Diluc, I'm hurt!

I only have the best in mind for you and Dawn Winery!

[ he places his hand over his heart, in a mock wound. how much is an act? how much is truth? it doesn't matter. ]

Surely, repairing the relationship between yourself and the Knights is enough?

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