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pavo ocellus: As always, I'm honoured by your generosity.
pavo ocellus: Can we meet somewhere private?

SLACKER: How~ lewd~!
SLACKER: Come to Bonbon.

pavo ocellus: I have been nothing but painfully chaste towards you, my dear bard.

[like probably way too much so lbr]

pavo ocellus: I'll be by in a moment.

[And he will! Almost like he was already hanging around outside...

Which, judging by the fact that he's completely soaked by the rain, may be true. Or maybe he just likes wandering in storms, who knows.]

[ KAEYA . . . YOU GOOD?

Venti blinks a few times when he pulls the door open. ]

Wow!

[ Beckoning him inside so he can grab a towel and throw it at him ]

The situation must be truly dire indeed.

[NO he is not good.

In fact he has come here before even letting Diluc drag him home so while the rain has mostly washed the blood off his face he is still wearing a bloodstained shirt with a bunch of rips in it. He looks exhausted, because he is very exhausted!! But he couldn't stand the thought of being fussed over and comforted too much so here he is.

He's glad to take the towel, though. He's fucking cold.]

It's been a busy night.

So it seems! I'll make some additional arrangements~

[ aka he goes off to grab two huge mugs of wine before wandering back, leading Pavo toward his room

Which, when they enter, has no bed in sight. It's Windrise. Just Windrise. ]

You're so kind. ♥

[And Kaeya is ready to put his face on and enjoy himself, but ...holy shit you went bold.

This is somehow unsurprising, and also a lot to take in. It's been nearly a month since he's seen this place, and given how badly he's aching to go home right now he feels a little overwhelmed. Like, maybe he should just go because feelings are bad??

As it is he just kinda. Freezes behind Venti, mid ruffling his hair dry, and stares.]

. . .

[ The only difference is that he has notably opted to leave out the statue of himself. In its place is simply a clearing of fluffy grass, windwheel asters spinning here and there.

Venti glances over his shoulder as he makes his way for said clearing. ]

Nostalgic, isn't it?

[It takes Kaeya a moment to get his thoughts in order, but he follows quickly enough.]

A remarkable lack of vanity from you, I see.

[But that suits him fine. On the way to the clearing he weighs dignity versus emotions. Normally he'd keep his face on at all costs, but he also came here for a reason. He needed somewhere to let the stress melt off, and Venti already knows he's a loser, actually. So...

So, when they arrive in the clearing, Kaeya drops the towel and then just flops into the grass and sprawls out.]

What a nice breeze.

[ Venti lightly drops into a seated position next to him ]

It is, isn't it? I thought it best there be a reprieve from how . . . stifling this place can be.

It's a real breath of fresh air, honestly.

[pun completely intended.

anyway he's giving up the rest of his dignity and rolling over to smash his face into the grass and smell the scent of home]

[ Just laughs ]

Trading in being in the arms of a lover at this late hour for a fresh breeze? Careful, or I might accuse you of having the wrong Vision.

Alas, my lover's arms hold a little too tight for me right at the moment.

[He's having an allergic reaction to emotions. Not that he doesn't love Noctua with all his heart but y'know. Pavo has issues.]

Besides, doesn't everyone in Mondstadt love the wind?

[he is absolutely fishing for reassurance that he belongs to mond without actually like, asking for reassurance or admitting he's insecure]

Indeed they do! And not just the breeze, but the wine too~

[ Shoving the wine mug at Pavo

you poor bastard ]

[On the one hand, he's enjoying the grass pillow. On the other, wine.

...Okay, he'll sit up. Drinking is the most important thing, obviously.]

Exactly. Which is exactly why I'm here.

[For the booze, obviously. Not the comfort. Because he doesn't need comfort. Definitely.]

[ Definitely! ]

You're lucky I could never turn down one of Mondstadt's connoisseurs! Try not to take advantage.

[ Just casually knocking back his own mug ]

I would never.

[He absolutely would. If Venti lets him he's gonna get so drunk right now.]

What could I ever do to repay such a kind and benevolent patron, I wonder...?