circuitice | CALL ME OUT

[ WOW.

diluc is absolutely going to clutch his slice of pizza with Dignity for a good, long minute. that's right, get it out of your system. ]

Kaeya, what.

[ what!! ]

[ please, please. but he straightens and clears his throat, taking the wine in hand to help calm himself down ]

That was cute. And, I've been proven wrong. Thank you for that.

[ he knows he's being brattish, but he can't help it. there's just something about the other-- he clears his throat and puts the wine glass down. ]

You wanted to give me a ride home?

[ the laughter lingers in the air. diluc looks. kaeya laughs in a way entirely unfamiliar to the schema that diluc has put together of a childhood friend lost. he laughs with the very edge of hoarfrost nipping at his heels, like a precipice waiting to be crossed. he laughs like the very edge of the world.

diluc breathes out. he does not, in fact, put down his pizza. ]

Perhaps this is my impetus to rethink that. [ but he's eating anyway, another prim bite that does little to dent the size of the slice. ] You have not mentioned where it is you lived, in any case.

Mm.

[ he considers that. Seeing where he lives would be-- he doesn't want to think about it so much. What would Diluc think of him? Here, in this cozy place, it was easier for him to look more whole than he was.

maybe even feel more whole.

What would he think if he took him home? or to the place he lived. it was hard to call it a home, as it were. he looks at him, letting his thoughts idle for a second too long (or was it an eternity? no, it must have only been a second, or he would have received another one of those mysterious looks.) and clears his throat. ]

I'll take the escort on one condition.

[ a single condition. the risk is palpable. but they have not reached an agreement. and-

this is kaeya.

diluc's head dips. ]

Which is?

You join me inside to see who loses this game of chicken first.

[ he says, fully prepared to laugh it off, if he refuses.

he expects he will. diluc was better than that. ]

[ a beat. diluc looks. there is only one possible interpretation of that condition. and so it follows that diluc takes time to weigh it. the weight of his gaze is consideration; it is, also, the wariness built only through time and separation. diluc does not need both eyes to see what kaeya can see with one so clearly.

but this is kaeya. perhaps the choice was made for him long ago. ]

If I were to accept, I have a condition of my own.

Oh?

[ he has forgotten the wine and the pizza at this point. focused on Diluc.

he expected him to decline. he's still prepared to laugh it off if only to save his pride. ]

[ bloodless, as if it were mere business: ] That you first come home with me.

[ there’s a pause, a hint of confusion. He contemplates— is this a trap? But what would be the catch…

But he doesn’t let himself contemplate too long. ]

Deal.

[ it comes as no surprise that kaeya would take such a risk. diluc looks, and then, primly, finishes another bite of his pizza. he places the leftover slice onto his plate. he cleans his hands with the handtowel provided. ]

Is that all, then?

[ from this conversation - from this cafe. ]

[ he nods, but not without taking the wine glass, and finishing it with one drink. He hates to be rushed, but also, he wants to rush. Though, he realizes, he should have made Diluc watch as he finished a second glass.

next time.

he flags down the waiter, and states, ]

I think we're done here.

[ kaeya flags down the waiter. diluc's eyebrows quirk. ]

Your treat?

Why not?

I did run into you first.

Is that the criteria?

[ but the amusement is there as diluc sit back. ] By all means, then.

Our circumstances may be different, but I'm not destitute.

[ he will be paying in cash however. with the change and some extra mora left as a tip. ]

You're able to feed yourself. I had wondered.

[ the irony in his tone is a lilt unto itself. but the bill has been settled. diluc rises and gestures for kaeya to follow. the night air is crisp. diluc pulls on his gloves as they walk, trailing the scuffed concrete of the city block to where the parking garage is.

the drowsy valet on attendance stands up at a start as diluc approaches. he nods, and the young man jogs off with keys to retrieve his vehicle.

as they wait: ]

If you had not careened into me tonight, where would you have gone?

I told you.

[ a beat, as he shrugs lightly, placing his hands behind his head as he walked. ]

I had plans.

[ he knows he's being frustratingly vague, but at the same time... Well, he doesn't need to advertise that he was out to get drunk. to go numb for a bit and forget the loneliness.

that would be much too much for what was surely going to be a one night stand with an old friend, who for some reason agreed. ]

And you?

[ a non-answer, but it is to be expected. diluc shrugs a shoulderless shrug. ]

Home. [ the barest flicker of a glance. ] I had no further plans.

[ the car that comes rolling out of the parking garage, as it turns out, can only be described as the kind of car that only assholes would drive. as in, if it pulled onto a lot, everyone observing would immediately think 'ah, asshole'. sleek, black, expensive, with enough raw horsepower to run a circuit and still enough leftover for perhaps a trip to another galaxy. diluc takes the keys from the valet with a nod. mora is exchanged. he gestures for kaeya to get in the passenger seat.

within: black leather. diluc fits himself into the driver's seat with aplomb. the car glides. ]

[ whatever he thinks of the car, he doesn’t comment on it, at least not immediately. His only thought is that it’s a show of wealth. In general.

But as to Diluc’s answer, Kaeya chuckles. He deserved a response like that. Expected it, even. Though, he wonders if this is pettiness on Diluc’s part. Or obfuscation? And so, he pushes again. ]

What were you out so late for?

[ a chuckle ]

Business? Hm? Or did I catch you on your way away from something more interesting for a Friday night?

[ the questioning continues. it's to be expected. two cats squaring off over uncertain territory, and the world simply speeds by. stop lights, lamp lights, the ambient glow of office windows. they fade as diluc takes them towards the freeway. ]

Is this an interrogation? [ a faint flicker of something that might've once called itself amusement. ] I don't kiss and tell.

[ he laughs, as though he were truly surprised by that. but everything in Diluc's demeanor has told him that he would be evasive. perhaps even outright lie to hide his secrets.

and it was more than fair enough-- Kaeya didn't feel like divulging his secrets either. and so, he attempts to dissipate the air with a bit of feigned air headedness.

of flattery, if necessary. ]

Oh my, I suppose I need to be much more thorough in my technique next time, then.

[ and then he glances over. ]

After all, I do like to know how I compare.

[ the insinuation is not lost. the curve of diluc's eyebrows indicate as much. but the existence of bait, however, does not create the necessity to take it. the night is still young.

instead, diluc takes the moral highground. observe: the next red light makes itself known a whole street in advance. diluc, who speeds just enough so that the brakes forces the entire car to screech into a stop.

blandly: ]

Do you, now?

[ really living up to that asshole car stereotype there, huh diluc. ]

Provided I don't meet my tragic end before there's time to assess, I suppose.

[ look, what's the point of owning an asshole car if you aren't going to be an asshole. ]

Do you have issues with my driving? Perhaps you would like to walk instead.

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