[ continuations = imeeji = sfw ]

[at_heart]

[ linked from the continuations masterpost, this is where threads for various events or anything else will go! this post is specifically for SFW continuations. NSFW continuations are here! ]

Comments

Re: + Venti, Foul Toxins Aftermath

[outofoffice]

Sometimes, there are things too powerful for you to stop. It's not fair, but it's the way of every universe I know of.

That aside, selfishly -- what if I want you to be happy? Wouldn't going home with him make you so?

Re: + Venti, Foul Toxins Aftermath

[at_heart]

Maybe. But I don't think I can give up without having tried first.

[ ......And. Only more surprised. ]

—Honestly not sure. [ Half-smile. ] I think it's a safe bet that the three-year separation wasn't great, but...

[ Would just going back to the same world as him make Lupine happy? It feels like kind of a lot to pin on one other person. Especially a person he's just spent the last couple weeks making a fool of himself around. ]

Re: + Venti, Foul Toxins Aftermath

[outofoffice]

If you're not sure, then . . .


. . . What if you just went to another world entirely, and had a fresh start? What if you came to Teyvat? You and your friend would be just as welcome, and you could lay your old burdens to rest.

Re: + Venti, Foul Toxins Aftermath

[at_heart]

[ Stumble!

Sorry, you'll have to give him a second if you want a verbal response, he is. Processing. ]

Re: + Venti, Foul Toxins Aftermath

[outofoffice]

[ Pausing ]

Lupine?

Re: + Venti, Foul Toxins Aftermath

[at_heart]

...That's.

[ He's already done some successful rationalizing over Zari's offer: that it was couched in the expectation that he'd say no, that they're both immortals so it's probably more like inviting him over for a long weekend, that Venti might not actually be on board anyway. ]

—Why?

Re: + Venti, Foul Toxins Aftermath

[outofoffice]

You're asking why I would invite someone important to me back to my homeworld?

Re: + Venti, Foul Toxins Aftermath

[at_heart]

[ no it's much dumber than that ]

...I mean...

[ He can feel the heat rising in his stupid face, ugh. ]

Re: + Venti, Foul Toxins Aftermath

[outofoffice]

[ Giggling a little. Sorry Lupine. ]

It's a silly question, isn't it?

Re: + Venti, Foul Toxins Aftermath

[at_heart]

[ but like there have to be better people you could invite to your world??? ]

You're sure? And — you really wouldn't mind him coming too?

Re: + Venti, Foul Toxins Aftermath

[outofoffice]

[ WHOMST? ]

I wouldn't offer if I minded, would I?

Re: + Venti, Foul Toxins Aftermath

[at_heart]

[ literally anybody, have you met him??? ]

But I mean. That's — kind of permanent, isn't it? At least for us.

Re: + Venti, Foul Toxins Aftermath

[outofoffice]

Not necessarily. But even if it is, is that a problem?

Re: + Venti, Foul Toxins Aftermath

[at_heart]

[ well first of all what do you mean not necessarily ]

...I mean...

[ Gonna chafe an arm while he tries to put this into words. ]

You're inviting me — us — to come live on your world. We're not gonna know how anything works. You'll have to kinda... look after us, at least for a while.

Re: + Venti, Foul Toxins Aftermath

[outofoffice]

I think you're over-estimating how much handholding you'll need. But even if you do, I've handled more burdensome tasks in the past.

[ Like creating and nurturing an entire nation ]

Re: + Venti, Foul Toxins Aftermath

[at_heart]

We've got universal translators going here, what if we come out on the other side and can't even understand each other?

[ this is honestly the least of his concerns but meet his relentless practicality ]

Re: + Venti, Foul Toxins Aftermath

[outofoffice]

[ Brightly: ]

There's no better way to learn a language than total immersion!

Re: + Venti, Foul Toxins Aftermath

[at_heart]

[ Snort. He doesn't say anything for a long moment, but finally he has to just. Ask directly. ]

...so, is this an invite to live with you? Or are you expecting us to all go our separate ways because it's probably a big planet?

Re: + Venti, Foul Toxins Aftermath

[outofoffice]

[ His smile has a touch of wistfulness ]

I'm not going to clip your wings, Lupine. If seeing the vast world is what you want, then you have the freedom to do that.

But if companionship is what you desire, then yes, I offer that too.

Re: + Venti, Foul Toxins Aftermath

[at_heart]

[ Well. He can't not respond to that. Stopping to turn to look at Venti directly. ]

I never thought you were gonna lock us up in a tower.

[ what are you, baritones ]

Re: + Venti, Foul Toxins Aftermath

[outofoffice]

That would be pretty out of character for me, wouldn't it?

Re: + Venti, Foul Toxins Aftermath

[at_heart]

Hey, it might be fun for a change.

[ His gaze lingers on Venti's face for another moment, then he points it back up at the sky. He really wants to keep pushing, to know for sure whether he's being invited to cross a bridge and come explore a world or move in together, but it doesn't really feel fair to keep asking without at least making himself vulnerable enough to say: ]

...I don't have enough memories back to know what's going on back home, and I'd — have to ask him, you know? But it's tempting.

Re: + Venti, Foul Toxins Aftermath

[outofoffice]

Think it over. You have plenty of time, and it's something I'm sure you'd want to discuss with him at length. But the offer shall remain open.

Re: + Venti, Foul Toxins Aftermath

[at_heart]

[ Still looking up at the sky. He murmurs, ]

I'd miss you, you know.

Re: + Venti, Foul Toxins Aftermath

[outofoffice]

. . .


You know, there was a time when I don't think you would have admitted to that.