circuitice | CALL ME OUT

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?

He left again.

[ he swirls his drink, as his eye takes in the stillness from Diluc. And so, he offers with a light lilt in his voice, ]

Relax.

... you know who your father was.

Yes.

But I don't think we should waste anymore breath on him.

[ he reaches out across the table, and places his hand over Diluc's, to pull the conversation back in the direction he prefers. To connect with him before this goes in a direction he doesn't want.

He keeps his touch light, his fingertips barely pressing against his skin. ]

The night's young, and it's too early for dark feelings.

[ the cool tips of kaeya's fingers barely skim diluc's. diluc, who has always run warm, stills beneath its touch. nostalgia is the bane of reason. diluc has had no defense for it; diluc has never had enough reason. but the kaeya of tonight glitters like something in snowfall, and diluc hands allow him to do as he pleases - but no more than so.

he shakes his head. ]

You won't speak of him, then.

[ like a burning brand; diluc has never once not cut to the heart of things. not in the dark. ]

No.

Not now.

[ he says, taking stock of the reaction. Diluc-- doesn't flinch away from him. and so, he takes another drink, another bit to dull the senses, and does not move his hand. ]

I hope it won't bother you.

[ his finger draws along the back of his hand, his touch still light. he would never trap him, if he wanted to get away. ]

And this?

[ his gaze dips, first to their hands, and then up to kaeya's face. the level heat of diluc's eyes: ]

Do you hope this, too, won't bother me?

Edited 2023-05-13 05:34 (UTC)

Does it? You're free to pull away from me, of course.

[ Diluc was the opposite of a romantic.

sometimes, cutting to the heart of things ruined the fun of the chase, and yet--

he meets Diluc's fire with his deep blue, unafraid of his ultimate answer.

and yet, terrified at the same time. ]

[ it is not the first time that diluc has been flirted with. it won't be the last. being in a certain strata of society means existing in what is essentially a vat of snakes - it's not the existence of desire that is the issue, but the intention. what intention would a childhood friend from fifteen years ago have to place his hand over his? diluc looks.

there is something kaeya wants. diluc does not know what it is, yet. diluc holds kaeya's gaze. ]

We played a game much like this when were younger. I believe the game was called 'chicken'. [ diluc's eyebrow quirks. slowly, diluc's wrist turns. his palm faces kaeya's, his fingers slide into his valleys. ] Was I ever the first to turn away?

[ a game of chicken? It’s Kaeya’s turn to quirk his eyebrow. He stills as he considers this idea. It’s… interesting. Is that what he wants?

And he lets a lazy smile cross his face. It’s— probably about the best he could hope for. And so, he plays along. ]

We’re not children anymore. And I’m braver than I used to be, you know.

[ he considers the man across from him. Perhaps Diluc is also more reckless than he used to be. The type of person who refuses to be reigned in, even if it would be best for him. After all, they are near strangers.

He lets his hand curl over the other’s, his gentle stroking stilled. ]

I might just finally be able to beat you at a game like this.

[ they are not children anymore. it had been diluc who had first called it a game. kaeya's stroke stills, and diluc considers the night and the implications, the secrets and the dark. he concludes: kaeya is no longer the child he once knew. it is too soon to know how diluc ought to feel about it.

there is a cant of his head. and then, deliberately, diluc allows his hand to retreat from beneath kaeya's. his serving knife carves through the pizza; he slides a slice onto kaeya's waiting plate. ]

Your pizza. After a night of drinking, you must be hungry.

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