circuitice | CALL ME OUT

[ it makes too much sense. diluc is wary of anything that makes too much sense. in a way, the city has made paranoia into form, a shadow of substance that haunts and nips and bleeds. diluc looks at kaeya. slowly, he shakes his head - but his answer is sure: ]

Would you be amenable to a late-night dinner?

Is this an impromptu date, Master Ragnvindr~?

[ he teases as he turns more towards him, taking a step backwards to keep the forward pace going ]

[ the barest flinch of an eyebrow. ]

If this is a date, are you not to call me 'Diluc'?

[ he sees the tension. notes it, and plays as though he didn't. ]

Diluc, then. Or maybe just Luc, huh?

[ but it wasn't a denial. and Kaeya would push his luck as far as he could go. ]

[ ... it truly has been some time. diluc is silent. kae, he remembers. kae. ]

... where do you want to eat.

[ it is, in fact, a concession, though diluc wouldn't go so far as to call it defeat. ]

This way.

[ he inclines his head as he turns around, falling in step beside him. ]

I'm so charmed.

[ diluc breathes out - it is a breath much in the way of a sigh. but he begins to steer them. the glitz of night shines along its streets; it is late, but not late enough for those seeking excitement. ]

You were out alone, then?

Mmhm.

I had plans, but I doubt my absence will be noted.

[ he guides them down the street, and cuts through alleyways, fearless of any potential dangers.

aware that he would rather spend time with the man he hasn't seen for years, a practical stranger. that the buzzing of his cell phone has already stopped. ]

But I'm curious-- you seem to be out alone too. I'm not interrupting anything, am I?

[ plans. vague, but not unexpected. diluc has long since lost the right to ask such a thing. ]

My business has concluded for the night. [ he says, because it is the truth. ] You had a call, however; did you not need to take it?

Ahhh, no.

If it's important, they'll leave a message, I assume.

[ he glances back at him, wanting to pry into "business." But, he isn't sure he'd receive the truth. not now, anyway. ]

Your concern for the caller is touching, but I was hoping you would prefer I talk to you?

I was not about to invite your caller to dinner.

[ a soft breath, in the way of an amused scoff. but diluc follows kaeya, his steps as sure as they had been fifteen years ago. ] Though if your caller happens to show up at the restaurant of your choice, it is hardly within my control.

And mine.

[ but he doubts they would. when he finally gets to the spot, it's more of a cafe-- something good for later night drinks and sandwiches.

the sort of place where you might see people working, or playing games, or just existing.

it's quiet. because Kaeya doesn't want noise. he wants a glass of wine, and to continue this conversation in peace. ]

Here. Unless you disapprove?

[ a cafe. diluc observes the ambience - night, spilling through the quiet windows. the drowsy attendant by the counter, a late night salaryman perched over a laptop in the corner. a place that opens late, and therefore will serve alcohol. diluc, who has three exclusive clubs on speeddial, and who owns a chain of high-end restaurants specialising in specialty wines sourced from his international conglomerate, cants his head. it suits. it has an atmosphere and suits tonight.

because he is diluc, he is the one who identifies a seat by the window; he pulls out the chair facing the door for kaeya, and settles himself only after his companion has seated. the attendant brings the menu, diluc glances over it, and quirks an eyebrow from across the table. ]

Recommendations?

I'm fond of the pizza.

[ he nods at the staff-- they recognize him. it's simple, easy. it's a place away from his usual haunts, with none of the same connotations. and he wants to keep it that way.

and so he rests his cheek on the palm of his hand as he studies Diluc. ]

Diluc, why are you taking me out on a date?

[ pizza, then. diluc looks at kaeya from across the table. he puts in an order - a margarita pizza. wine, of a notable mondstadian brand, especially notable for its lack of crossover with dawn winery. and then, after a moment, a glass of grape juice for himself.

he passes the menu over. diluc considers the question. he observes the line of kaeya's palm, the cant of his head - and allows his own head dip in turn. ]

To catch up; and to see how you are. [ an echo of what was said. ] Like you said, it has been fifteen years. Though I expect the start of this conversation to be awkward; it hard to discern where to begin.

I see.

[ he lets those words hang in the air, their weight and promise vs. the silence while he studies Diluc's eyes, watches his head dip. unflinching, his eye searching the man before him as a selfish plan takes root in his mind, like the thorniest of blackberry weeds. ]

Well, my life is humble.

[ he says, gesturing his other hand around. ]

I wouldn't know where to start, honestly. Meanwhile, the only time I get to see you are the rare quotes to the papers.

[ it is as diluc expected. diluc looks. of course he does. ]

So you recognised me. [ from the papers, despite everything. ] I had wondered.

[ it's only natural to - that diluc hadn't known kaeya was alive, but kaeya, who had known diluc, had not thought to reach out. ]

I had thought you'd forgotten me.

[ he says softly. ]

It was a long time ago, and we were children.

[ a leaden beat. ]

Could I have forgotten you? [ could one forget your other half?

the scent of fresh basil intermingles with that of fragrant olive oil. the pizza is no larger than two handspans. it takes up the centre of the table. next comes the wine; a 1970 vintage with a husky, fruit base. a single glass of grape juice covets diluc's elbow.

he pours wine for kaeya, decants it first, and then lest it swirl into kaeya's glass. only when that's done does he lift his own. diluc meets kaeya's eyes over the moonlight silver of its rim. he tips it towards kaeya.

cheers, or so they say. ]

[ he takes the wine glass in hand, after all of that, and considers what an answer to that question might look like.

Yes. Yes, obviously, he could have forgotten him. Most would. He should have been a fragment, an afterthought. A brief interloper that posed as a childhood best friend. All these thoughts swirl around in his head, just like the idle knowledge that he was playing with fire.

he wasn't sure how, and yet, he fully expected that maybe, by the end of the night, he would be scorched down to ash.

but oh, how wonderful it would be. ]

I suppose I didn't want to find out you had.

Cheers.

[ surprise cards through him. kaeya's sole eye looks out into the world, as blue and dark as a far-spun galaxy, and diluc thinks - he doesn't know what kaeya is thinking.

his glass tips. like two, slow-moving tectonic plates, they meet in the middle to the chime of a silver bell. diluc takes a sip of his grape juice. it is sour, and sweet. ]

You know, then, what I have been doing for the past fifteen years. [ diluc sets down his glass. he removes his gloves. the serving knife slides into his hand. ] What about you?

It's a bit much to say that with such certainty.

[ what the papers say and don't say may as well contain an entire universe unto themselves. and yet... Kaeya hums, thoughtfully. ]

Odd jobs. Since my father returned, and then vanished again, I've managed to pick up a few skills to cover the difference on my own. An unbearably boring tale.

[ ... diluc stills. ]

Your father. He resurfaced?

Briefly, yes.

[ he takes a drink of the wine, leaving the pizza untouched for the moment. he could use the dullness it provided to his senses. ]

And?

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