hold my hand . (from Diluc!)
Footsteps upon grassy paths and onyx stone follow a rhythmic tempo: constant but without haste. Lulled by this wordless melody, the sun is content with the day's achievements. The ideal moment to begin the necessary preparations towards twilight has come.
Be that as it may, perhaps it is the anticipation for what has yet to happen that makes the sun linger awhile. The arrival of a midnight starry sky is delayed, honoring a wide horizon stained by various shades of purple, orange, and pink. And so it remains, waiting for a while.
Words are unnecessary â the comfort found in each otherâs presence more than suffices. Yet, the captain still catches himself wondering about what is going through the redheadâs mind. It has been a while since they interacted like this â Diluc leading, Kaeya following, bickering and teasing absent. A lot can be conveyed through silence.
While not against walks to unwind from the dayâs worries, Kaeya is more accustomed to engaging in these sorts of activities alone. On days when his concerns weigh particularly heavily, he allows his feet to take control. As a result, he often wanders, his mind drifting in an effort to rationalize or decode whatever seems to be preoccupying him. Many a time has the path he travels unaware been one he is familiar with. Alas, his step always falters upon the realization, preventing him from getting too close to the taste of home. A thought as bitter as it is sweet.
Perhaps Diluc, too, is aware of Kaeyaâs tendency. Of getting distracted by his thoughts, that is. Not their precise content. To ground him to reality once again â or maybe because he sees Kaeya making no advance towards climbing the hill â, he calls out to him:
Dilucâs voice is firm but gentle. A demand, but one born from the intent to guide. As periwinkle meets carmine, a hand is extended, waiting to be held onto. The gesture makes Kaeya's eye widen. Ah⊠A courtesy he had failed to foresee.
A soft sigh escapes through his nose, only to be followed by a single chuckle in playful disbelief. The captain is perfectly capable of climbing the stone wall ahead. His hands are not so fragile. They have been hardened by the blade with the passage of time.
Regardless, and despite hesitation being present, gloved hands meet. A stable boot sole finds the perfect spot on the stone. Relying on Diluc, he makes the necessary effort to climb up and, before they know it, they are side by side.
«Thanks. Always there to save the day, aren't you?~» And with such ease, the balance they had found in quietude is broken, replaced by Kaeya's standard pattern of speech. There is now enough room for bickering and complaints. Or there would be, if Kaeya gave Diluc the chance. He does not.
Instead, he becomes mesmerized by the sights ahead. Gentle, colorful skies... It is almost as if the scene that greets them has been hand-painted by a child, particularly focused on making each thick line of color blend flawlessly with the others.
Kaeya takes a step forward toward the edge of the hill. A playful breeze invites his midnight locks to a slow dance. The air he inhales is pure, pleasant. Calming. A small moment of indulgence is permitted. Unknowingly, he still clings to the redhead's hand. Another tendency from the past, perhaps invoked by a most mysterious force. Life worked in curious ways, most of the time.
«We should do this more often...» His voice is quiet, making it evident that a reply from the other is not expected. The possibilities for what "this" could mean are endless.
Return home together...? Spend more time together...? Hike together...? Sightsee together...?
One can only wonder. But these possibilities always include a "together".
