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Are you busy tonight?

I'm honored you're asking. I'm not busy at all.

I assume that means you have an evening off?

I do, and I'd like to take you out.

Then the answer is yes, of course. I'll take any and all time you'll happily give me. I love my time with you.

So... it's a date. I can meet you somewhere.

I have a place in mind.
And yes, it's a date.

Can you be here at seven? It's close by, we can walk there.

Then I'm delighted to be asked.

I can be there at seven exactly. I look forward to seeing you then, Diluc.

I'll see you then, Venti.

[ Venti has decided to dress lightly, given the warming weather. A white button up featuring some small floral designs throughout and a pair of green shorts. He is carrying a shoulder bag where he's keeping his device, the little bit of money he has managed to keep. He'll teleport to Diluc's place, though he is sure to do it outside.

he does first checked if the door is unlocked - if so, he'll simply walk in and announce himself.

If not, he'll knock and wait for the other to answer. ]

[How polite.

Truth be told he would not have minded if Venti had teleported into the house, and he had been sure to be ready in case that did happen. The knock on the door surprises him and as he unlocks and opens it he almost looks as if he doesn't expect the archon to be standing there.

His expression softens though, visibly so, when he sees him.]

Right on time. Shall we?

[And he offers his hand, inviting Venti to take it.]

[ Of course he's being polite - he got invited on a date that he's excited for. He reaches for Diluc's hand the moment that it's offered. Venti steps in close, leaning into the taller man and smiling up towards him. ]

Of course! I'd never be late for a date with you.

[ A bold thing to promise, but he does mean it sincerely. He enjoys and treasures his time with Diluc. It's precious to him to have these opportunities here. He cares about these moments. ]

Let's go. I'll gladly follow you~

[ Anytime. ]

Then I'm honoured.

[Both at the determination to be on time and the declaration. Diluc knows he and Venti would likely never have a relationship like this in Mondstadt - even Venti's status as the anemo archon aside, their lives were simply too different - but being able to have this here is... nice. He wouldn't trade it for anything.

He plants a quick kiss at the corner of Venti's mouth (bending down to do so) before they set out, and keeps the other's small hand tucked into his while they walk.]

Did you make a special effort just for me? You look stunning.

[ It's hard not to feel delighted by even the small things like the kiss on the corner of his mouth. To be granted such level of affection by one of his favorite people here and in Mondstadt is an honor, too. He can't help but smile and tighten his hand just a little around Diluc's before they start to walk. But then the other's compliment, sincere as it sounded, hits his ears. The blush starts at the tip of his ears and spreads across his face, making him feel immediately hot. He keeps walking, but his answer takes a few moments.

Amazing at his age that such a thing would hit him like this. But it's not like he gets called stunning often. ]

I -- [ And he trips over his words. ] I mean. Yeah - of course.

[ Hah. For a guy who is good with words, he's at a loss. Totally flustered. But of course he did put in special effort for a date. ]

[Things could have been different, but the time Diluc has spent here has worn away at the walls he put up around himself to keep people away and Venti was always going to be one of the first people who got through those barriers. His sheer persistence saw to that.

What Diluc doesn't expect is to see the way that the bard - the archon - stumbles in the face of a genuine compliment. He glances down at him, idly skimming his thumb across the back of the hand held in his, and a wry smile quirks at his lips.]

Really? [He says, his tone gently teasing.] All those ballads and songs, all the poems, the way you tease and flirt, and you're overcome by someone telling you that you look nice?

[Oh, he knows he didn't just tell Venti that he looks 'nice'... but he's still going to be a little mischievous about it.]

[ He knows a tease when he hears it. He has all of the oldest tricks himself when it comes to teasing other people. He's a master of the art, he'd even say. And Diluc is teasing him. He huffs a little, leaning into the taller man. Of course he's flustered. Being told you look nice is one thing. He gets told that he's cute frequently. He's even gotten pretty. But the sheer genuine nature of it coming from someone who truly matters to him when it matters was the key. ]

You know that's not what you said.

[ It's harder to explain the why than he realizes. ]

And yes, but that's all for fun.

[ Teasing and flirting is just a part of who he is, but it rarely meant more than that. ]

[He knows that isn't what he said, and yet he hadn't anticipated that Venti would be so affected by it. His expression softens as he squeezes his fingers around the smaller hand clasped in his and he makes a mental note to do things like that more often in the future.]

I suppose it is. [And this? Fun, yes... but Diluc means it more intimately, too. He's grown far closer to the capricious bard than he ever would have believed he could and is both emboldened and humbled by it in equal measure.

He supposes, given Venti's nature and the length of his life, he hasn't really had much opportunity for relationships like this.]

But I meant it. [Diluc draws Venti to a stop, kissing the back of his hand and then the top of his cheek. Then he tugs him along again, smiling to himself.] I'm glad to have you all to myself this evening.

[ It's nice to feel as cared for as Diluc makes him feel. That feeling comes to him rarely and with only a couple of people. It makes it easy to accept the affection offered to him, and to not turn such a compliment into a way to tease the other. It's nice to have a chance to get as close as he has. He wouldn't trade it. ]

I know you meant it. You're thoughtful. You wouldn't say things like that as a way to joke with me. [ Venti doesn't think Diluc would even say things like that back when they were at home, before they got as close as they did here. ]

I am, too. I'd be glad to be with you anytime and it's just me and you. I feel spoiled to have your attention.

[ And delighted. He's definitely delighted. ]

[True enough, he wouldn't have said anything like that at all when they were back in Mondstadt. What a pity that Venti had never known him as a younger man, the charming and often flirtatious teenager that he had been before his father died, when he and Kaeya would draw the eyes of everyone simply by walking around Mondstadt in their uniforms.]

You feel spoiled to have my attention? Careful, that kind of flattery might go to my head.

[He's teasing. He knows that Venti's status as an archon means little to him when it comes to interactions with people that he cares about, but Diluc still can't help but feel he is the privileged one here.]

It's here. I'll get the door. [And he does, letting Venti pass through it before he does. The restaurant isn't too fancy, but just walking into it brings an immediate assault of delicious smells. Once they're greeted by a friendly hostess and seated, Diluc reaches out to take Venti's hand on the table.]

You know... I do love seeing you like this. Relaxed.

[ He hoped the flattery went to Diluc's head. He deserved to hear it. In Mondstadt, Venti didn't get to spend a lot of quiet one-on-one time with the people he cared about. He knew Diluc was also a very busy man at home, too. So to have the chance to make time for just one another should be treasure - regardless as to how old Venti was or how old he would be. He would live so long.

He steps in when the door is offered and takes a seat, reaching out immediately to take Diluc's hand. He is relaxed, isn't he? He's happy, too. Being in Nippon has proven to be an experience for him. ]

You make it very easy for me, Diluc. This place has made it easy, too. But I assure you that the company isn't hurting my mood.

[ His smile is easy. ]

I love my time with you and being around you just as much as I simply just love you.

[ It's that simple. It's not as an Archon, either. He means this as Venti and Venti only right now. And he hopes that is clear. ]

I'm very free with you.

[ To be himself. To not put up a front. To not pretend and fake it through anything. He has no need. He's relaxed because he's free. ]

And I hope you at least feel some of the same.

[ He never really has expected the way he is with others to be fully returned to it, but he's also at peace with that fact. But he does want to Diluc to feel happy and free with him, too. ]

[Though it never quite leaves his mind that this person is the Anemo Archon, Diluc has been able to see Venti as simply 'Venti' more and more as they have grown closer. The thought barely pops up at all these days, and he does understand what the bard means when he talks about love. Diluc can be himself with Venti too... and that's important.]

Of course I do.

[He knows that he has relaxed here, to a point that it might be shocking to people who only know him from home. He's been able to resolve so many things that were keeping him unhappy that he even surprises himself sometimes.]

It's hard for me to put it into words sometimes, but... there are many things that have happened here that I wouldn't change. Including this. [In spite of everything else.]

Come on, let's sit down.

I wouldn't, either.

[ He's happy and comfortable, and he gets settled into his seat, admiring the man he's with. Diluc is beautiful to look at, but he's even better company. It's so great to get past the surface and get to know the more relaxed man. ]

I don't think you always need to have words for things. Some things are best felt and simply known.

[ A small laugh. ]

Must sound weird coming from a bard.

Not at all.

[It sounds a little strange coming from Venti, admittedly, when the bard is someone he has always known to have a word for every occasion - and sometimes when he would rather the other man be quiet - but he finds himself unsurprised in the end that he has that kind of opinion.]

I've always thought you'd have a song any time one might be called for, but you're right. Sometimes things simply are.

[And that's fine. Besides, Diluc doesn't think he would relish the idea of putting some of his experiences here into verse. He reaches across the table and takes Venti's smaller hand in his, giving in a small squeeze.]

This is my treat, so have anything you want.

[ He normally does have words for every occasion, but he knows that sometimes what's unsaid is best. There's always going to be some feelings that are hard to describe. Venti grasps Diluc's hand when the other took his, smiling towards him. It's easy to be here with the other, just sharing space with him. Venti loves him, and he loves his company. ]

Anything...

[ He says the word and knows Diluc means it. He's going to do his best to not take too much advantage of the kindness. ]

What are you getting?

Mm... I may just get udon... Hm, this one. [He taps his finger to where it's written on the menu. Though he doesn't expect Venti to get the same thing, it's a dish he's had before and that he knows he likes. Noodles don't tend to fill him up for long but the one he chose has plenty of meat and vegetables along with it.]

If you're not sure, they'll usually put a few things in sample bowls for you.

[Diluc is fully ready to dote on Venti this evening. Absolutely anything he wants, he can have without question.]

Oh - that looks good!

[ Hearty, too. It's very Diluc. This place seems very nice, and on a glance, things look good here. He looks over the menu for a few quiet moments before he speaks up again. ]

I think I know what I want, though, so no need for them to go through extra effort.

[ Plus if he starts trying samples, he doubts he'll eat any ordered food because he won't be hungry. That would be pretty awkward on a date with someone, he thinks. He wouldn't want that. ]

There's a nice rice bowl that looks like it has a lot of vegetables.

[ And it looked to be pretty light but filling. ]

[It does sound like a fun thing to try one day, though. A little bit of everything, if they could find somewhere to cater to something like that.

(Nippon, clearly, needs to be introduced to the concept of 'tapas'.)

He glances over to what Venti has in mind and nods - it's not too surprising a pick given what he knows of the bard, though he's happy enough to share some of his own meal if Venti wants to give it a try.]

Is that the one you want? We can order when they come by.

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text; un: ragnvindr | mid-may

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