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[notgrande]

[ TEXT | ACTION* | VIDEO | VOICE ]

* or just ask for him and he can appear, because you know, he can do that

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[notgrande]

I couldn't say. I've gotten some feathers a few times. And scales with Xiao. You know, like a dragon.

Why? What were you hoping I'd be?

[icepatch]

I wasn't hoping for anything.

But perhaps a bunny. Your little twin tails could turn into floppy rabbit ears or something adorable like that.

[notgrande]

Oh? A bunny. That sounds pretty cute. Are you sure I wouldn't be too adorable like that?

[icepatch]

You already are, so I don't know what else to tell you.

[notgrande]

I'm already too adorable? From the mouth of a drunk Kaeya.

Maybe one day we'll know for sure what it looks like since it changes up sometimes.
Although I have to say I kind of like when I know what to expect.

Like when my hair and eyes change colors around you guys.

[icepatch]

Only slightly.

I think anyone would love a warning before the change occurs.

That being said, are you available at the moment? I feel like I haven't seen you since the party.

[notgrande]

Slightly? :(

Well, I suppose I am slightly available. :) Though I would love to see you. Do you want me to come to you?

[icepatch]

What's with the face? Did you want me to be more drunk?

Only id you're in Kyoto. No need to go out of your way for me.

[notgrande]

No, it's fine. I'm teasing you~

I can teleport, remember?

[icepatch]

No, I didn't. But thank you for reminding me. I'm at home, Diluc's working late and I didn't feel like being by myself at the bar tonight. I could definitely use the company.

action.

[notgrande]

[ Guess who teleported until he found the room Kaeya was in, and immediately moves to wrap his arms around his waist into a hug. Yes, he absolutely appeared and went right in for a snuggle. ]

Kae~ya.

[icepatch]

Oof.

[Kaeya playfully stumbled when he was suddenly hugged. He had been standing out on the back porch, wrapped in a blanket while sipping the wine that had him drunkenly texting Venti. He was careful not the spill and he nudged Venti to back up a little so he could open the blanket and let Venti back in.]

Good evening, Venti.

[notgrande]

Kaeya.

[ His voice is light and happy when he sees the other and is invited to join him under the blanket on the porch. He tucks himself against Kaeya's side, immediately cuddling up close to him there. ]

I didn't expect you to be outside, wistfully staring into the distance.

Or something like that.

[ He lets out a small Ehe. ]

[icepatch]

[He has to be careful with the glass of wine now that one his arms was occupied. Thankfully, there isn't much left and he was barely even a third third or so through the bottle. He didn't have to worry about spilling, although he does tip the glass carefully in Venti's direction, offering a sip.]

Just wanted to look at the stars, that's all. I feel a little less lonesome, even if it's cold out.

[He was a little more resistant to the winter weather, but not immune. He still needed a jacket even in Dragonspine. No one was as good as Albedo in withstanding that particular cold.]

[notgrande]

[ Venti accepts the sip, and takes a small one. He knows they can always get more if they want it, but he's more concerned with tucking him up against Kaeya's warm body. He is apparently feeling quite affectionate (which isn't particularly unusual for him around Kaeya). ]

Ah - do the stars make you feel less lonesome? Are you hoping for a star man to come keep you company? I hope I suffice.

[ He hums. ]

[icepatch]

[Honestly, he was a little surprised that Venti didn't take more than a sip but he didn't comment. Instead, he hummed quietly in contemplation.]

Not particularly. I quite like the people from home, rather than from other stars.

[Not that he disliked anyone not from Teyvat, but the sense of familiarity was a little more comforting than a total otherworldly stranger at times.]

But I suppose knowing that there are others on those stars is what gives the sense of company for me.

[notgrande]

Ah, I agree. I always feel the best when I have someone from home at my side.

[ Kaeya, Xiao, Diluc, Zhongli - they are all among Venti's most trusted people. He loved and cared for many people, including some he met here, but no one was quite like those who were from home. ]

I would think it's pretty lonely any place out there instead of here with people I love.

[icepatch]

[He bent down to pick up the bottle by its neck and refill the glass. He set the bottle back down and offered it to Venti.]

Mm, I feel bad for those who don't have those they know here.

[Like Dohalim, although Kaeya was unaware that one of his comrades was here.]

But it still depends on who is here, either way. Just because they're a familiar face doesn't mean I would have opened like I have with you and Diluc. As I said, you're special. Those from the stars have nothing on you two.

[notgrande]

[ He takes the bottle and holds it in his left hand and he takes a small sip. This time, though, he keeps his hands on the bottle - definitely intending to have more. ]

I guess it depends on who they are. I'm just glad we don't have to.

[ He likes the love he feels from many people at home. ]

You guys do make me feel pretty special. Like...me placing my trust in you wasn't any mistake because you trust me, too. Not just you, but Diluc, Xiao, Vennessa, Zhongli... It's been a long time since I've had so many people.

[icepatch]

You and me both.

[The most he had really ever had was Diluc and the Ragnvindr household. Maybe the Knights as well, although they were more comrades that close companions, as much as he did care about Jean and Lisa and Klee.]

So, what have you been up to since I last saw you?

[notgrande]

Been up to? Nothing, I guess. I don't think I told you we got a house, but we did. But...not much. Did you have a good birthday?

[ Because a little time has passed. ]

I noticed Aether wasn't there. Did something happen?

[ He's...straightforward, at least. ]

[icepatch]

Did you? I'd like to see it sometime. Is it here in Kyoto or in Tokyo? Mm, I did. It was certainly a surprise, I should have known Diluc would be able to slip that passed me.

[It wasn't that Kaeya always caught on to things of that nature, but he usually knew what to look for when someone was keeping a secret. However, Diluc knew Kaeya better than anyone so he also knew how to keep things under wraps.

At the question about Aether, though, the smile dropped a little and he sighed.]

I wasn't the one who sent the invitations, but I'm not surprised Diluc didn't give him one. Aether decided we shouldn't have a bond anymore. But, let's go inside and sit, it's a bit of a story and I'm drunk enough to tell it.

[But he'd rather sit down in the warm house under the kotatsu to do it.]

[notgrande]

It's in Tokyo. Xiao and I can both teleport so it all works out for us. Diluc can be very mysterious sometimes, so I'm not surprised he managed to surprise you.

[ He holds the wine bottle close to his chest, and takes Kaeya's arm with his free hand so that the two of them can move inside and take this conversation indoors. ]

Ah -- he decided? Alright, since you're drunk enough. I'm here to listen. I'm always here to listen, regardless as to whether or not you're drunk.

[icepatch]

[It wasn't that he didn't want tell Venti and needed to be drunk to do so. It was just easier for him when with the wine in his system. Rosaria was one of the few that always caught on to that about him, strangely enough.

He slid the door shut behind them to keep the warmth inside and got the kotatsu going so they could warm back up underneath. He set the wine glass down, waiting for Venti to get comfortable as well. There was a moment where he simply swirled the wine in his glass silently, thinking about how to start all this.]

Aye, he decided. I honestly had no idea he had that ability when it came to kizuna and bonds. I suppose it saved me the trouble of feeling the pain of it breaking like it had previously.

[He opted to not take another sip and set the glass back down, finger idly stroking the rim instead. Despite the fact that it was pretty obvious that Kaeya was a bit tipsy, his eye showed that he was sobering up.]

A couple weeks before my birthday, he confessed to me. He did so after I told him about Diluc and myself. I told him on account of the fact that we had never gone on a proper date and while I wouldn't mind being with him, I also didn't want to lead him on. My feelings for him would never be like they are for Diluc's, as I'm sure you can imagine.

[His hand dropped to the table top. Even after the couple of months that had passed, that afternoon was still so vivid, the feelings he felt that day still rather painful, even in retrospect.]

I'll admit, it may not have been the best time or place and I certainly could have worded it much better than I had but it is what it is. I couldn't return his feelings. Ultimately, he seemed accepting... until he asked if we could still date and he could continue to fall in love with me regardless if I returned his feelings or not. I said no. Had it just been the dating, I would have likely said yes. It wouldn't be anything unusual or different than what you and I do.

He said it's because the bond was straining when he and I spoke again weeks later and I'll get to that later but... Venti, he removed our bond and then left me. I think that hurt more than when our bond broke.

[And that had been the crux of the issue, at least for him. That Aether had decided their bond just wasn't worth it anymore, took it away, and left. He had been undoubtedly hurt, anyone would be after being rejected. Kaeya knew what it felt like to be rejected, even if for a different reason. But that didn't make it any better. Understanding didn't make it right. That's why Kaeya never really believed the traveler when he said why he removed the bond. How could he?

Kaeya had been honest with Aether, twice now. And both times, Kaeya was rejected in some fashion. Kaeya's bond was rejected. 'Fool me once...']

It made me question my relationship with Diluc. If Diluc would ultimately leave me as well, leave me again. He caught onto my worries, of course. He knew the cause of it, too.

[And thus, Aether wasn't invited to the birthday party.]

[notgrande]

[ His heart aches for Kaeya when he hears what had happened. It was a pretty deep cut he knew Aether had made. Kaeya's place in Mondstadt had always been different due to where he had come from. Maybe he never felt quite like he had belonged or that the cityw as truly his. Venti had never asked. He never really thought of Kaeya any differently than his people, even back before they were as close as they are today. And now, as much as he loves him - he couldn't imagine abandoning and hurting him like that.

How -- could someone say they love someone and then sever a bond? Regardless as to how Aether had felt about how Kaeya or how little Kaeya could return those feelings. He simply cannot grasp not wanting to keep someone you treasure close to your heart, regardless as to where that leads. ]

Aether is immature. I understand why you were honest, though. Sometimes...you have to hurt someone a little to keep from hurting them a lot later. And a little heartbreak now is better than if you had led him on.

[ He gets it, too. He can't imagine loving someone else the way he loves Xiao. He's never felt that way. Not once. ]

Kaeya.

[ He sounds serious. He's concerned because he doesn't think Kaeya would ever need to question his relationship with Diluc. Diluc is loyal and loving deep down. So he feels he needs to make something clear. ]

I never want you to ever feel like you need to question how much I care about you. I may be Mondstadt's Archon, but I am, above all - your friend.