[And that's all that Chuuya cares about, really. Regardless of choices made in the past, Diluc and Kaeya are happy now.
It was true that betrayal was a sore spot for him after so many times on the receiving end. For someone who valued loyalty so highly, who was so painfully loyal himself... there were few things that hurt worse. He understood the weight of it.
So knowing that these things were long settled between Diluc and Kaeya now, Chuuya was glad for it.]
Good.
[His fingers curl together with Diluc's when the other man laces them together, expression oddly soft at the declaration.] Really now... By now, you've got to know the same goes for me.
[He tucks himself a little more firmly against Diluc, squeezing that hand curled together with his.] No, you haven't. The person you are is what matters most. You made amends, and you and Kaeya are happy. It's a good thing.
[He lets his head drop back against the couch cushions for a moment and breathes out a long, slow sigh. His heart is still racing slightly - Chuuya would be able to hear it from where he is - but it's calming slowly.]
We were always close, but never like this. And I think we have the whole of Mondstadt convinced that we still dislike one another. [Diluc's expression twists in brief amusement - a smile, a grin, then a laugh.] If they knew how closely we still worked together they wouldn't believe it.
[Except maybe Adelinde and Elzer. Neither of them would find it hard to believe and Diluc is quite sure they both know anyway. It's difficult to imagine them not realising with as well as they both know the two young men.]
I'll admit... you coming here with it was a shock, but I suppose we would have ended up having this conversation one way or another. Was Kaeya... all right, afterwards? I think he dislikes having his past put on display even more than I do.
[Chuuya listens quietly as Diluc's heart calms, and he wonders exactly how worried Diluc was about his regard for him changing. He'd made it clear once before that it was hard to shake him from caring about a person, but.... considering what had happened, he thinks it's probably understandable.
Still, seeing his smile, hearing his laugh feels good after such a heavy discussion, and it settles something in Chuuya that's been too tight since he arrived at his door.] Huh... do they just not notice, or do you both keep that tidbit quiet? Not that you necessarily have to like someone to work with them, but still.
[He lets out a sigh though, glancing away briefly.] I didn't quite think this through enough, I guess. I thought coming here as soon as possible so you'd know would hopefully head off any worry, but... maybe I should have let Kaeya tell you, first.
[He slumps slightly against Diluc, now.] I don't know if I'd say he's fine, but I made sure he knew I wasn't going to tell anyone else and tried to reassure him. That's why we went to the fair-- leaving him alone after all that just didn't seem right to me, and distractions and food both tend to help after things like this.
[He runs fingers over the back of Diluc's hand, pensive.]
Maybe it's a little easier, telling someone who's not from his world. I don't know why something that happened 500 years ago makes him a 'sinner', but I can't exactly argue with him about it either. I still think this Celestia place is full of bastards, though.
[There's a reason he and Kaeya don't talk about it to other people, even now. No one would really understand how Diluc's temper had flared or why without knowing things that Kaeya would not be willing to tell, and neither of them wants to damage the reputation of the other with half a story. Even if the dislike is not entirely real, the relationship between the two of them has never quite been the same since that night... and it's too much to explain.
Chuuya slumps against him and Diluc chuckles, rubbing his hand up and down the smaller man's arm. He turns the other hand over while Chuuya runs his fingers over it, letting him explore the myriad of small cuts and burns marking his fingers, then he sighs and shakes his head.]
Khaenri'ah drew the attention of Celestia because one of their alchemists released a hoard of monsters out across Teyvat. I don't know if it was deliberate or not, but it was enough for a godless nation that had until then been tolerated to draw the ire of the gods themselves. It wasn't an unprovoked attack, Chuuya. I'd call it a war, if there was ever any hope of Khaenri'ah winning it. [So much of the truth of what happened back then has been lost... and so few people now study it to piece the fragments together.
It's a lesson on man's hubris.]
Kaeya himself... his feelings on it are complicated. I don't think seeing himself as a sinner comes from his bloodline alone. [Diluc gives a faint smile.] But you'd be better asking him about that.
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2022-08-05 08:46 pm (UTC)It was true that betrayal was a sore spot for him after so many times on the receiving end. For someone who valued loyalty so highly, who was so painfully loyal himself... there were few things that hurt worse. He understood the weight of it.
So knowing that these things were long settled between Diluc and Kaeya now, Chuuya was glad for it.]
Good.
[His fingers curl together with Diluc's when the other man laces them together, expression oddly soft at the declaration.] Really now... By now, you've got to know the same goes for me.
[He tucks himself a little more firmly against Diluc, squeezing that hand curled together with his.] No, you haven't. The person you are is what matters most. You made amends, and you and Kaeya are happy. It's a good thing.
no subject
Date: 2022-08-08 06:37 pm (UTC)[He lets his head drop back against the couch cushions for a moment and breathes out a long, slow sigh. His heart is still racing slightly - Chuuya would be able to hear it from where he is - but it's calming slowly.]
We were always close, but never like this. And I think we have the whole of Mondstadt convinced that we still dislike one another. [Diluc's expression twists in brief amusement - a smile, a grin, then a laugh.] If they knew how closely we still worked together they wouldn't believe it.
[Except maybe Adelinde and Elzer. Neither of them would find it hard to believe and Diluc is quite sure they both know anyway. It's difficult to imagine them not realising with as well as they both know the two young men.]
I'll admit... you coming here with it was a shock, but I suppose we would have ended up having this conversation one way or another. Was Kaeya... all right, afterwards? I think he dislikes having his past put on display even more than I do.
no subject
Date: 2022-08-08 11:06 pm (UTC)Still, seeing his smile, hearing his laugh feels good after such a heavy discussion, and it settles something in Chuuya that's been too tight since he arrived at his door.] Huh... do they just not notice, or do you both keep that tidbit quiet? Not that you necessarily have to like someone to work with them, but still.
[He lets out a sigh though, glancing away briefly.] I didn't quite think this through enough, I guess. I thought coming here as soon as possible so you'd know would hopefully head off any worry, but... maybe I should have let Kaeya tell you, first.
[He slumps slightly against Diluc, now.] I don't know if I'd say he's fine, but I made sure he knew I wasn't going to tell anyone else and tried to reassure him. That's why we went to the fair-- leaving him alone after all that just didn't seem right to me, and distractions and food both tend to help after things like this.
[He runs fingers over the back of Diluc's hand, pensive.]
Maybe it's a little easier, telling someone who's not from his world. I don't know why something that happened 500 years ago makes him a 'sinner', but I can't exactly argue with him about it either. I still think this Celestia place is full of bastards, though.
no subject
Date: 2022-08-13 03:30 pm (UTC)Chuuya slumps against him and Diluc chuckles, rubbing his hand up and down the smaller man's arm. He turns the other hand over while Chuuya runs his fingers over it, letting him explore the myriad of small cuts and burns marking his fingers, then he sighs and shakes his head.]
Khaenri'ah drew the attention of Celestia because one of their alchemists released a hoard of monsters out across Teyvat. I don't know if it was deliberate or not, but it was enough for a godless nation that had until then been tolerated to draw the ire of the gods themselves. It wasn't an unprovoked attack, Chuuya. I'd call it a war, if there was ever any hope of Khaenri'ah winning it. [So much of the truth of what happened back then has been lost... and so few people now study it to piece the fragments together.
It's a lesson on man's hubris.]
Kaeya himself... his feelings on it are complicated. I don't think seeing himself as a sinner comes from his bloodline alone. [Diluc gives a faint smile.] But you'd be better asking him about that.