crescentview | (catch-all) ho-ho-holy shit

[ Kaeya has been in a good mood all day. With all of his success with the bingo squares, he's received a business permit with all the available upgrades. Personally, he has no interest in running a shop, bar, or whatever, but he knows that this would be of interest to Diluc later, so what's a better surprise gift than this? After all the trouble that Diluc went through to take care of him for those three days and putting up with him in general, this is the least that he can do. ]

[ Of course, there are other reasons as to why he has gotten such an enormous gift for the other man, but he no longer has the truth curse so he's not telling. ]

[ Deciding to leave the surprise for the morning, Kaeya's placed the permit papers in his jacket, where he knows it'd safely be. In the meanwhile, he plans on ending the night with a smile. Changed in his night garments, he slips underneath the covers of the bed. Sitting up and resting against the headboard, he holds out his bingo card. ]

Care to do our usual swap?

[ Every night since arriving, they've been showing each other their bingo cards, simply as a way to keep track of what upgrades that they can obtain next and to coordinate plans. So far, it's been going well, so Kaeya doesn't expect any surprises. ]

[Kaeya's done much to make this house of theirs presentable... or is it a home? In either case, he shows Kaeya how much he appreciates his efforts by tending to the fields and the animals every day so he can spend more time doing whatever it is he likes around town.

Diluc has never troubled himself over the particulars, not with regard to Kaeya. They're both adults who live their lives according to their own whims, unlike the way they were as children. No longer are they ever at each other's side, but at least they're still functional enough to work together with only minimal issue.

When it comes time to compare notes, as per usual, Diluc doesn't hesitate to present his card to Kaeya. 'Bathing' has been checked off, but Diluc thinks little of it. ~~pretend i've filled out my card shhh~~]

We're making steady progress. Thanks to your efforts, this home will be a manor before long.

[ Taking Diluc's card, he looks over it. He doesn't expect to see anything out of the ordinary, but then he comes across the 'bathing' square and he freezes. He has that exact same bingo as well, so he knows what the implications of that one is. ]

... when did you complete this one?

[ He adjusts his grip on the card so his thumb points at the square. ]

Edited 2022-12-10 23:58 (UTC)

[...Ah, that one. It's not very pleasant, so Diluc answers rather flippantly.]

A couple days ago.

[ ... something twists inside and Kaeya feels like he's been just punched in the gut. A million thoughts start to race through his mind but none of them can be properly processed. He simply becomes blunt. ]

Is that what you were doing while leaving me at home? To go have sex with others?

[Initially, Kaeya's response catches him off guard. The fact that he's failed to catch his tongue before lashing at him is rare and gives away how upset he is, but that isn't the only shocking thing. He's upset over a non-issue, a simple transactional trade made with no more thought or careful consideration than any of the others. Why, then, is Kaeya so angry...?

An ill feeling settles in the pit of Diluc's gut.]

What are you talking about? We discussed this before I left, Kaeya. I told you I'd be out filling another square so we can continue working towards our goals.

But one of these squares, really?

[ He's normally more careful with his words. He doesn't often like to wear his emotions on his sleeve, but something about this stamped square makes him shake. As his grip tightens on the sheet, his knuckles turn white. His mouth runs dry but rather than taking the time to pause, wet his lips, and think about what to say, he simply lashes out. ]

I didn't think you'd stoop to such lows.

Edited 2022-12-11 00:13 (UTC)

[...Pardon? He wants to ask Kaeya if he's gone mad, throwing around accusations like these, but he gets it now. Kaeya's judging him, isn't he? For something he'd thought nothing of, simply working towards the goal of making their lives easier before they figure a way out of here.

Apparently, Kaeya doesn't see it that way. Diluc's brow furrows, anger seeping into his voice.]

What business is it of yours what I do so long as you're fed and housed? I don't remember needing permission from you to do a damn thing.

Do you think that we're struggling? Because it sounds like you're trying to justify selling your body.

[ Even if he didn't have feelings for Diluc, he would still be just as gutted. His brother? Using his body for some simple worldly pleasures? It's not as if they're desperate. They didn't need to go that far. ]

Selling? You're equating me to a prostitute now?

[Is that it, Kaeya? Don't mince words. Diluc's tone is as sharp as it is gutting, eyes boring directly into Kaeya's.]

I don't see much difference. I guess it's fine sleeping with near strangers as long as you get a bigger plot of land.

[ Kaeya doesn't look away. ]

[Ridiculous. He still can't believe Kaeya would make such accusations with a straight face. Fingers tensing at his sides, he unfurls his fist just to slap Kaeya across the face.]

Watch your tongue, Sir Kaeya. You're overstepping.

[What he does for Kaeya's benefit is none of his concern. He has no right to comment, much less condemn him. The very last person he'd expected this from is Kaeya, and because of that, it hurts that much more.]

[ It takes a second for Kaeya to realize that he was slapped. The stinging pain comes late, only after the blood returns to his face in hot rage. His eyes narrow. ]

I may be disowned, but someone needs to care about the Ragnvindr name.

[ 'What would Father think?' But he's not that cruel. Even as angry and betrayed as he currently feels, he could never be that outright cruel to him, so he bites his tongue for once. Instead, he gets out of bed and starts to walk off. ]

[Just like that, Kaeya's said his piece and tucked his tail between his legs with every intention of slinking away. Nothing's changed. Diluc's teeth grit so hard he can hear them grinding in his skull, and without any fear for the repercussions, he beckons Kaeya back in the one way that never fails to capture his attention: pissing him off even more.]

Coward. You disowned yourself.

[ Kaeya walks to the front door where he stops by the coat hanger. Reaching inside his jacket, he grabs the business permit and papers. Walking back, he tosses it in Diluc's face. He has nothing to say to his remarks, ignoring it completely to add in his piece again. ]

Here. I was going to give it to you tomorrow, but you clearly need it now. Stick to selling alcohol, something that you actually have experience in doing.

[Kaeya... It's a shock, being gifted such a thoughtful gift, but it's being hurled at him like Kaeya's final declaration that he's done with him, and why wouldn't he be? He speaks as if he wants nothing to do with him, spun up to the 11th degree over something as trivial as marking off another square.

But it's not trivial to Kaeya. The reason why is sitting right there at the forefront of his mind, but Diluc refuses to acknowledge it, refuses to accept the truth as it presents itself to him. He can't. He won't. Not after the volatile wreck that is their relationship now.]

...Kaeya. Just where do you think you're going?

[He knows the look in Kaeya's eye when he's about to leave. It's been four years and that knowledge has never left him.]

[ He heads back to the door to grab his jacket and fur boa. He begins to put on his boots. ]

Filling out a square.

[ He hasn't taken back his Bingo card, still left with Diluc, so if Diluc really wants to know which one he's going to fill, he can just watch the card. ]

[ Kaeya understands what movies are, but he doesn't really get them at the same time. He also doesn't know how you can even watch movies or what a movie marathon is (a movie about a marathon?), much less understand the TV at home, so he decides to enlist some help by asking some random people out. ]

Excuse me, could you possibly help me with this "movie marathon" square?

[ As thanks for Kaeya getting him home safe and sound, Gaku figures he'll invite him out for a meal. He has a basket with food and a spot in mind, but when he knocks on the door and Kaeya answers, he figures he can open up the suggestion to Kaeya anyway. ]

Ready? I've got an idea of where we can go, but if you've got your own place in mind, we can go there instead.

[ Kaeya opens the door and hello! He's dressed and ready to go, so let's kick it. ]

Not at all. Let's go to your spot - I'm curious to see what you've picked out.

[ Kaeya has found someone to watch movies with! And he has gotten a few VHS tapes from the library (after someone explained that these "movies" are on these "tapes")! But now's the tricky part... how the heck do they work the VCR and TV? ]

Do you happen to know how these work?

[ They're in Kaeya's home, sitting in front of the nice TV that he got with his bingo squares. Too bad that he has no idea how to use it. ]

[ Thank you shuffles in fastly. And it's okay, always is a good time to learn, right Kaeya? And fortunately, Ryuki may be lost as all hell, but he is mostly cordial.

He blinks slow, and then glances down at the bingo. ]

...Oh -- uh, yeah. I can do that. Actually, I think I have that on my own card, so that's both of us.

I didn't know we even had movies around here... [ Wild. ] I guess we'll have to find some movies first, though. Um, I'm Ryuki.

[ Offering... a hand? ]

[By this point, Syrlya at least recognizes the TV as the 'box with images of people kissing' Noé had been talking about before.]

I have no idea. [But the whole setup still mystifies him. He grabs one of the movies, turning the tape in his arms before moving to kneel by the TV and VCR and try to put two and two together.] This must go in... somewhere.

Kaeya. I'm pleased to meet you, Ryuki.

[ He reaches out for a firm handshake! But he'll take his hand back shortly afterwards. ]

Unfortunately, I'm quite inexperienced with these "movies", so you'd have to take the lead on this one.

It's nothing too special, but I like to think I've got an eye for this kind of thing.

[ And said eye found a spot somewhere around the mountains, which is the direction Gaku starts to lead them. ]

(catch-all) ho-ho-holy shit

closed to diluc / post-log

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good thing kaeya didn't ask that bc diluc would've slugged him

honestly kaeya would have deserved it too

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closed to ryuki

bing - share a meal

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closed to syrlya

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i just realized i put bing in the subject i'm crying