darknighted | IC Inbox

[The familiar sizzle of bacon drags him out of his slumber. Kaeya lays in bed for a moment, then reaches for a pair of pants laid out the night before. It's as presentable as he plans to be. Diluc hasn't complained (he stared the first time). He fits his eyepatch on and walks barefoot from the hall into the living room.

He stretches his arms over his head, then walks into the kitchen was a lazy greeting. He slips into a chair at the breakfast bar and finally uses his hair brush to get out the tangles in his hair from last night.]

[ sophie had spoken to diluc and they'd found a mutually available time to meet on the practice grounds. it was an interesting place, she had to admit, with its mix of militaristic and free rein. the sparring pits were mostly empty, and she'd chosen one that was away from the others. the ground was sand, firm enough as a foothold but easy to clean and re-rake smooth. the walls would keep any stray weapons or magic from flying wild.

she'd come early, to get a feel for the place and prepare herself. it's been a long time since she'd done any fighting that wasn't intended to harm, and this would be something of a test of her own restraint as much as an opportunity to practice. she's dressed appropriately for the occasion, having finally managed to brave the clothing shops enough to obtain a few simple outfits. the one she's chosen today is a close-fitting top paired with pants that are loose enough not to hamper movement but also not so billowing as to potentially snag. her hair is loosely braided and coiled above the nape of her neck to keep it out of the way.

satisfied that she's adequately prepared, she hops up onto the side of the wall, making it easy for diluc to spot her. ]

[He wakes when someone moves next to him. Kaeya opens his eyes. Diluc is laying beside him with an arm over his waist. He turns to face him. Bright red hair seems to be made of flame in the early morning light.

He winds a lock of hair around his fingers and smiles. Last night floods back to him. He lays back down, tucking himself into the offered space.

Diluc’s scent fills his nose. A light giddy bubble of joy wells up within him. He starts to close his eyes again, half watching Diluc sleep.] A perfect morning.

[He has gotten used to going to bed with Diluc. It has become a routine and the worries about how long this would be allowed have faded. Some part of him still worries this is all a dream and he would wake up in his flat all alone.

The sun rises. He clings to Diluc as he rises. He doesn’t pull on him to come back to bed. Kaeya acts like a cat that refuses to move as they shuffle across the room to the bathroom. He mumbles a reply to a question while trying to keep dozing.

He’s being a brat. The attitude works until he hears a rustle and the thump of fabric hitting the floor. His eyes snap open. The question surfaces and he opens his mouth then closes it.

He lets go of Diluc and pulls his long shirt up and over his head on automatic. Too late to retreat and he doesn’t want to disappoint his soul mate. His face feels hot. He ignores it.]

[When it is the day of gift giving for Mondstadt. A package sits in the kitchen. It is wrapped beautifully and precisely in plain paper. Inside is a tempered glass teapot with tins and containers of fruit teas. A little moisture-proof contained contains blooming teas. A jar of dark honey is nestled in the center.

A letter written in an elegant hand lies beside the package.]

D,
I'm outside cutting the firewood. I hope this gift brings you some joy. In winter we can't get the fruit juice you love so much. This is as close to it as I could get. I even got some of the honey you love at the market. It took some doing!

Please do ravish me in your appreciation. I have a more private gift to give you that's as much a gift to me as it is to you. ;) - Your future husband, K.

[On the morning of Winter's Crest, Kaeya and Diluc will find a basket in front of the door to their home. Inside is an apple cake, a bottle of apple wine and bear-shaped ginger cookies. There's a note in Vex's handwriting.]

Kaeya and Diluc,

I wavered over what to give the two of you for Winter's Crest. This holiday on Exandria is about celebrating victory over evil and enjoying the love and warmth of family and friends with food, games, and lots of fun. So, I decided to make you these treats and to make sure that you come to the Keep for tonight's festivities.

Also, the cookies go well with the wine.

Love, Vex'ahlia de Rolo

[At midnight, the wind swirling around the still form of Kaeya Alberich fades to nothing. His fur is windswept, and the patterns of stars extend and stretch into patterns of whorls of wind.

He wakes up slowly, a golden left eye sliding open before his right eye opens. He lays there for a moment with a furrow on his brow. He lifts his hands and stops, staring at the ring that catches the light. Memories start to flood back as he kisses the ring and cradles his hand. He drops it onto his chest and looks around.] Diluc?

[His voice sounds raspy as if from disuse. He frowns at that. This certainly hasn't been his finest hour.] Luc?

[Cold.

For once he could feel it at the core of his being. Diluc had been snatched up. He had followed on foot then on the wing. But try as he might he couldn’t make enough headway to catch up. He had sank to his knees in the snow and let himself have a moment to feel all of the rage inside his heart.

Then the massive dragon had come back and snatched him up. He hadn’t opposed him. If he could get to Diluc then they could work together to get away.

Everything changed when the dragon dove down into the wells and glided into a sparkling cave. Soft music floated up from the piles of pillows and comfortable blankets. His eye widened as rows of books came into view. They were stacked neatly on shelves next to scroll cases. Crystals dangled from cords hanging from the ceiling.

The warmth of the torches washed over him as he caught sight of fiery red hair. The cave had what looked like reading nooks. As he was gently set down he kept his gazed fixed on one of them. Diluc sat tucked among pillows and blankets as he thumbed through a book.

He permitted himself a look. The cover had a pirate in the front with a white frilly shirt that is open far enough to show off his tan skin and well toned chest. The smirk on his face and the eyepatch…

He darted through the pillows and forded over blankets to plaster himself to Diluc’s side. He reached for Diluc’s face to turn his head and kiss him as if it had been years instead of hours of separation. He could tease him about the book in a minute.]

Edited 2023-02-08 00:27 (UTC)

[Diluc will find he's gotten a gift basket. Inside the gift basket are several non-alcholic drinks Aether's learned from Diluc. There's one Tart brilliance, Barbatos' Boon, one Stroke of Night, and two Moonlit Alleys. There's a set of grape plushies and a card. The card contains the follow message:

Dear Master Diluc,

Wherever we are or end up being, I'm glad to have met you and be you friend. I hope you have a great birthday and you have many more happy memories wherever you are.

-Aether

Edited 2023-05-01 03:33 (UTC)

At the house

no subject

First time waking up together.

First shower together (before they get hit with married Au)

Winter gift giving

12/20 (Winter's Crest) Left outside his door

Jan 2nd, Kaeya's return.

Back dated, during dragon napping.

delivery!!