[He shakes his head, understanding very well why Kaeya decides to make that jibe. Nothing taken personally, though, and while he doesn't laugh he doesn't look too irritated by the prodding either.]
I didn't learn that one, so I'll leave it to you.
[Diluc could, in truth, probably make that drink here if he had such an inclination... but the rice wine had been enough of a lesson. He won't be drinking anything so strong for a while.
The redhead smiles faintly to himself.]
Apple cider, I can do. With a touch of cinnamon perhaps.
Unfortunately, I only know how to drink it, not make it. A shame, really.
[It was certainly his favorite of the bunch but with how often he and Venti bar hop, he's certain to find something that can hopefully match it. Dandelion Wine was definitely going to be up there once Diluc makes it too.]
Oho~ Getting fancy, are we? I'm definitely calling first dibs on it.
[Diluc lets out a soft breath through his nose. He sits back and pushes a hand through his hair, making a face as his fingers catch on a snag and pull through it, and then he softly clears his throat.]
I could teach you.
[He doesn't look up at Kaeya as he makes that offer, not quite sure he wants to see his response written across his face, and instead sets to finishing off the soup.]
[It took him a moment to realize what Diluc was saying. He had just said he didn't know how to make Dead After Noon but there was still Dandelion Wine. He wasn't sure how to answer. It was... incredibly forward and thoughtful of Diluc to offer so soon after agreeing to try again with... well, whatever would become of them.]
Are you sure? Not that I wouldn't want to know just...
[Some things he was still having trouble believing right now. Helping Diluc through his hangover was one thing but this? It was surreal, still.]
[He knows as soon as he says it that it's a lot. And maybe he's just...
He's not sure.
Diluc closes his eyes just for a moment and gives his head a tentative little shake.]
Am I sure? No, Kaeya, I'm still not sure about any of this. [Since he'd extracted that promise to tell him the truth from Kaeya, he feels it only... fair that he do the same in kind. It would only make things worse later on if he didn't.]
I'm sure you think I've forgotten how things used to be between us, when father was alive. [His voice stays low and level as he says this, and he looks up.]
I haven't. And as much as I've disliked you since, I remember many more years when--
[When I loved you.
He gives another little shake of his head.]
When things were different. That's what you want, isn't it? And I think-- I suppose I want that too. [Softly, he clears his throat.] If you don't want to learn the process I won't be offended. It was just an offer.
[Kaeya listened and he wasn't sure how he really felt as he did. Diluc was at least being a bit more forthcoming with how he felt about all this, but he still just... wasn't sure. It was really a lot in such a short time. It's what he had wanted and yet...
Especially because it still hurt to be told Diluc disliked him. It was hardly a secret, of course. But it wasn't like Diluc went around saying it to his face a lot. But he couldn't help but look up at the mention of their past, how Diluc had felt about him then. He was pretty sure his eye showed his hope and surprise because Diluc had been somewhat correct, he really had hoped that Diluc hadn't just thrown away their past. That was perhaps what had hurt the most about all this. That it felt like Diluc had thrown away a decade's worth of love because Kaeya wanted to clear the air and come clean.]
...is there a time limit on the offer?
[He didn't want to say yes or no right away. But just because Kaeya was getting what he wanted didn't mean he wanted to rush either. This was an incredibly delicate and fragile time now.]
[He looks across the table at Kaeya for a few long moments, then a short chuckle bubbles up out of him and he shakes his head again.
Maybe it's the sheer surreality of it that makes it so easy. Diluc can barely believe they had managed to talk, to air out those things that had needed saying, and that they had been able to agree to at least try to rebuild those burned bridges between them both.
Or maybe it's that he realises he'd never really been fair to Kaeya to begin with. The other man had been hurting too, and Diluc's rejection of him could have only caused him pain when they used to be so close.]
No, there's no time limit. Consider it open-ended.
[And finally, he manages to finish the last of the soup. Not bad at all.]
I'll need to source the ingredients to begin with, in any case.
[Kaeya nodded at that. Well, as long as he had some time to think about it.]
I'm sure you can ask any of the natives where to find dandelions, at the very least. I haven't been here long enough to know if the climate here is suitable for them but it'll be easy enough to figure out.
[He drained the last of his juice, standing up to go and rinse the glass. He looked over his shoulder to nod at the empty bowl.]
[It's the weight of them that he needs that will be the tricky part. Diluc doesn't really want to have to collect several pounds of dandelion heads by himself, but if he has to... well, it's going to be a few sunny days out in nature for him.
And then--]
Ah? [Oh. He looks down mildly, then picks up the bowl and holds it out.] Please.
[It was good soup. When the bowl is out of his hands though, he does go for one of the egg rolls. Because... why not.]
You didn't have to go to so much effort. I, um... appreciate it.
Then I'd say look for a florist and see if you can buy some in bulk. Gathering will take awhile.
[He set the glass upside down in the sink and reached out to take the bowl, going back to the pot to ladle some more in after giving it a stir.]
You're welcome. I didn't know what you would be able to stomach so...
[Shrug. He didn't mind. Besides, now Diluc had leftovers that would be easy on him for the day. He set the bowl back down since Diluc went for the egg rolls.]
I didn't put any seasoning in those since I wasn't sure about your stomach. So it'll be a bit bland.
[It's... nice. Despite the still-shaky feeling he has overall, he does feel better and just spending time casually with Kaeya like this is... nice.
He doesn't realise he's watching the other man until the bowl is being put down again and he abruptly finds he had been quietly, almost fondly observing him with his chin resting on his hand while they idly talked shop about dandelions.
Diluc straightens up and blinks, and gives a little nod.]
No, that's for the best. [Thoughtful. He tries one, and though it is bland it still tastes good.] I'll need to be careful for a couple of days, I expect.
[Kaeya took a seat again, this time taking a roll for himself. He wasn't hungry but watching Diluc eat gave him the urge to at least munch on something and he made quite a bit. Eggs were always easy.]
I think you're over the worst of it. But it wouldn't be bad idea to be cautious.
[Diluc was a bit of a special case when it came to hangovers.
It was... really nice to be so casual about all this though, Diluc being sick aside. Just talking over breakfast, discussing wine and dandelions. It felt familiar and nostalgic.
He looked down at his food abruptly, stealing a bite to give himself another distraction.]
[The only thing that would have made it complete was their father being there, Diluc realises with a pang of sadness. He wonders what Crepus would have thought of what became of his two sons after his death.
Would he even recognise them now.]
You're thinking about something.
[He doesn't look up and states the observation casually while in the middle of neatly snipping an egg roll in half with his chopsticks.]
Nothing for you to worry your frizzy little head over.
[Deflecting was just habit at this point. Habitual and easy. But while he probably should be more forthcoming, Kaeya wasn't totally ready to. He was thinking and his thoughts were everywhere right now.]
Besides, I'm not the only with their gears turning.
[He frowns as his hand comes up automatically to a thick, messy curl that's slipping forwards over his shoulder. It's a disarmed gesture that he allows himself to go through with if only for the sake of subtly letting Kaeya know that it's fine. As difficult as it is not to rise to his teasing like he has done for the past year or so, it's fine.
And the time it takes for him to chew and swallow the section of egg roll is ample for him to sort his thoughts into some kind of order. At least enough to not blurt out the first thing that comes to mind.]
I suppose that's fair. We both have a lot to think about right now, don't we, Kaeya.
[His grin broadened at the reaction, but secretly glad Diluc didn't take it too much as a slight. His bedhead really was adorable though and it reminded him of happier days when he was allowed to touch it and brush it. He sighed softly in nostalgia and nodded.]
I suppose we do. In any case, I suppose I should get out of your hair now that you seem to be doing better. Just take it easy for the day.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2021-09-18 03:45 pm (UTC)[He shakes his head, understanding very well why Kaeya decides to make that jibe. Nothing taken personally, though, and while he doesn't laugh he doesn't look too irritated by the prodding either.]
I didn't learn that one, so I'll leave it to you.
[Diluc could, in truth, probably make that drink here if he had such an inclination... but the rice wine had been enough of a lesson. He won't be drinking anything so strong for a while.
The redhead smiles faintly to himself.]
Apple cider, I can do. With a touch of cinnamon perhaps.
no subject
Date: 2021-09-18 04:18 pm (UTC)[It was certainly his favorite of the bunch but with how often he and Venti bar hop, he's certain to find something that can hopefully match it. Dandelion Wine was definitely going to be up there once Diluc makes it too.]
Oho~ Getting fancy, are we? I'm definitely calling first dibs on it.
no subject
Date: 2021-09-18 04:24 pm (UTC)I could teach you.
[He doesn't look up at Kaeya as he makes that offer, not quite sure he wants to see his response written across his face, and instead sets to finishing off the soup.]
How to make it, that is.
no subject
Date: 2021-09-18 10:27 pm (UTC)Are you sure? Not that I wouldn't want to know just...
[Some things he was still having trouble believing right now. Helping Diluc through his hangover was one thing but this? It was surreal, still.]
no subject
Date: 2021-09-18 10:42 pm (UTC)He's not sure.
Diluc closes his eyes just for a moment and gives his head a tentative little shake.]
Am I sure? No, Kaeya, I'm still not sure about any of this. [Since he'd extracted that promise to tell him the truth from Kaeya, he feels it only... fair that he do the same in kind. It would only make things worse later on if he didn't.]
I'm sure you think I've forgotten how things used to be between us, when father was alive. [His voice stays low and level as he says this, and he looks up.]
I haven't. And as much as I've disliked you since, I remember many more years when--
[When I loved you.
He gives another little shake of his head.]
When things were different. That's what you want, isn't it? And I think-- I suppose I want that too. [Softly, he clears his throat.] If you don't want to learn the process I won't be offended. It was just an offer.
no subject
Date: 2021-09-18 10:54 pm (UTC)Especially because it still hurt to be told Diluc disliked him. It was hardly a secret, of course. But it wasn't like Diluc went around saying it to his face a lot. But he couldn't help but look up at the mention of their past, how Diluc had felt about him then. He was pretty sure his eye showed his hope and surprise because Diluc had been somewhat correct, he really had hoped that Diluc hadn't just thrown away their past. That was perhaps what had hurt the most about all this. That it felt like Diluc had thrown away a decade's worth of love because Kaeya wanted to clear the air and come clean.]
...is there a time limit on the offer?
[He didn't want to say yes or no right away. But just because Kaeya was getting what he wanted didn't mean he wanted to rush either. This was an incredibly delicate and fragile time now.]
no subject
Date: 2021-09-18 11:02 pm (UTC)Maybe it's the sheer surreality of it that makes it so easy. Diluc can barely believe they had managed to talk, to air out those things that had needed saying, and that they had been able to agree to at least try to rebuild those burned bridges between them both.
Or maybe it's that he realises he'd never really been fair to Kaeya to begin with. The other man had been hurting too, and Diluc's rejection of him could have only caused him pain when they used to be so close.]
No, there's no time limit. Consider it open-ended.
[And finally, he manages to finish the last of the soup. Not bad at all.]
I'll need to source the ingredients to begin with, in any case.
no subject
Date: 2021-09-18 11:56 pm (UTC)I'm sure you can ask any of the natives where to find dandelions, at the very least. I haven't been here long enough to know if the climate here is suitable for them but it'll be easy enough to figure out.
[He drained the last of his juice, standing up to go and rinse the glass. He looked over his shoulder to nod at the empty bowl.]
Want some more or do you want to try the others?
no subject
Date: 2021-09-19 10:39 pm (UTC)[It's the weight of them that he needs that will be the tricky part. Diluc doesn't really want to have to collect several pounds of dandelion heads by himself, but if he has to... well, it's going to be a few sunny days out in nature for him.
And then--]
Ah? [Oh. He looks down mildly, then picks up the bowl and holds it out.] Please.
[It was good soup. When the bowl is out of his hands though, he does go for one of the egg rolls. Because... why not.]
You didn't have to go to so much effort. I, um... appreciate it.
no subject
Date: 2021-09-20 12:44 am (UTC)[He set the glass upside down in the sink and reached out to take the bowl, going back to the pot to ladle some more in after giving it a stir.]
You're welcome. I didn't know what you would be able to stomach so...
[Shrug. He didn't mind. Besides, now Diluc had leftovers that would be easy on him for the day. He set the bowl back down since Diluc went for the egg rolls.]
I didn't put any seasoning in those since I wasn't sure about your stomach. So it'll be a bit bland.
no subject
Date: 2021-09-20 01:13 am (UTC)[It's... nice. Despite the still-shaky feeling he has overall, he does feel better and just spending time casually with Kaeya like this is... nice.
He doesn't realise he's watching the other man until the bowl is being put down again and he abruptly finds he had been quietly, almost fondly observing him with his chin resting on his hand while they idly talked shop about dandelions.
Diluc straightens up and blinks, and gives a little nod.]
No, that's for the best. [Thoughtful. He tries one, and though it is bland it still tastes good.] I'll need to be careful for a couple of days, I expect.
no subject
Date: 2021-09-20 01:33 am (UTC)I think you're over the worst of it. But it wouldn't be bad idea to be cautious.
[Diluc was a bit of a special case when it came to hangovers.
It was... really nice to be so casual about all this though, Diluc being sick aside. Just talking over breakfast, discussing wine and dandelions. It felt familiar and nostalgic.
He looked down at his food abruptly, stealing a bite to give himself another distraction.]
no subject
Date: 2021-09-20 11:10 pm (UTC)Would he even recognise them now.]
You're thinking about something.
[He doesn't look up and states the observation casually while in the middle of neatly snipping an egg roll in half with his chopsticks.]
What's on your mind?
no subject
Date: 2021-09-21 12:06 am (UTC)[Deflecting was just habit at this point. Habitual and easy. But while he probably should be more forthcoming, Kaeya wasn't totally ready to. He was thinking and his thoughts were everywhere right now.]
Besides, I'm not the only with their gears turning.
no subject
Date: 2021-09-21 08:03 am (UTC)[He frowns as his hand comes up automatically to a thick, messy curl that's slipping forwards over his shoulder. It's a disarmed gesture that he allows himself to go through with if only for the sake of subtly letting Kaeya know that it's fine. As difficult as it is not to rise to his teasing like he has done for the past year or so, it's fine.
And the time it takes for him to chew and swallow the section of egg roll is ample for him to sort his thoughts into some kind of order. At least enough to not blurt out the first thing that comes to mind.]
I suppose that's fair. We both have a lot to think about right now, don't we, Kaeya.
no subject
Date: 2021-09-25 04:35 pm (UTC)I suppose we do. In any case, I suppose I should get out of your hair now that you seem to be doing better. Just take it easy for the day.
no subject
Date: 2021-09-29 05:38 pm (UTC)[He stands up instinctively to see the other man out, and grips the edge of the table for a moment as the movement forces a rush of blood to his head.
Ugh.]
And I'll want the wine back.
no subject
Date: 2021-10-08 12:19 am (UTC)[He did, however, pause to dramatically sigh. He should have known.]
Damn it, I was hoping you would have forgotten that. Fine, fine, I'll be back later with the wine.
no subject
Date: 2021-10-10 10:49 pm (UTC)[He has a feeling that Kaeya will not, in fact, be back with the wine. But he does do as he's told for once and sinks back down onto the chair.]
All right. Thank you for... checking on me.
no subject
Date: 2021-10-11 12:40 am (UTC)...of course. Let me know if you need anything else.