Closed: But they stayed there as stars in the shape of a crown

[vineleaves]

Dionysus is a very seasonal god. Much like the grapes he is known for, he spends the winter largely dormant and indoors - at least, when he isn't spending winters just traveling places where it's summer, there's an entire southern hemisphere, after all - but now that it is spring he has been spending most of the sunlight hours outside. He has his garden to tend to. Now that it is set up it hardly takes all day to do daily maintenance on such a small patch of vineyard, but truthfully, he's just spending a lot of time sitting outside, enjoying the weather and enjoying nature coming back to life. It's a plant god thing.

But he does have to go inside eventually. As much as he likes being outside he still prefers sleeping in an actual bed at night. Sleeping on the ground doesn't exactly do wonders for his lower back, so a little bit before sundown he bids goodnight to his growing plants and heads back inside. His plan is to clean up, head to either the café or a kitchen to grab a bite to eat, and then curl up in bed and either listen to a cd or read a play before going to sleep for the night.

When he enters his room it takes him a few minutes before he notices anything different but when he finally looks up, it hits him like a ton of bricks. Ariadne's crown. Painted on his ceiling. He stares at it for a long time, unmoving, just looking up. Eventually he sits down on his bed, still looking up at it. It's perfect. He has missed her stars so much.


"I know you've been... nervous, about it."
"I'm not nervous about marrying you, Dionysus."
"Well that's certainly good, all our friends are here already and I'm sure that would make an awkward conversation. No, I mean... You're nervous about joining my family. I can tell, y'know."
"...Well, they're not exactly the easiest people to live up to."
"Don't be ridiculous, my love, you're better than all of them combined."
"I think I should be very careful about whatever I say next. They are just in the next room."
"You're perfect."
"I'm mortal."
"You're perfect. This crown is -- well, it's not as perfect as you are, but I thought -- maybe if you wore it, you'd feel as wonderful as you really are. I don't care that you're not a goddess, but I want you to feel like you're one, if it'll help. You shouldn't be nervous about them."

_____________________________________

Some time later he finally emerges from his room. His hair is damp from washing and he has exchanged his gardening clothes for a clean and familiar chiton. He figures it must have been Grantaire -- who else would sneak in and paint his ceiling, after all -- and so that is who he is looking for. He's on his way to check the café when he actually runs into him in the hallway.

Dionysus doesn't say anything, he can't get words out, he just goes up and wraps Grantaire in a tight hug.

Comments

[futaille]

And he can feel just about every drop of it through that kiss. It's almost overwhelming to experience, as if he were flying through the stars himself. He very much doubts that he actually deserves anywhere near this, but he kisses back a bit breathlessly, not objecting.

[vineleaves]

If Dionysus knew Grantaire was thinking that, he would have several incredibly long and detailed arguments to prove exactly why Grantaire deserves more. As it currently stands though, all Dionysus can think is how he doesn't deserve someone as smart, as hilarious, as caring as Grantaire. Someone who would sneak in while he was out to give him the stars.

After a while of kissing though, being bent over beside Grantaire's chair has finally done enough to Dionysus' back and knees that he breaks away from the kiss, just enough to talk. "Can, uh. Can we maybe go sit on the bed instead?"

[futaille]

He can't help but laugh. "A little more comfortable? Certainly."

[vineleaves]

When Dionysus gets up his knees pop in a way that would make sense for a human of his apparent age, but that only serves as a reminder to himself that he barely meets the qualifications for 'god'.

Once they are settled on his bed, he can't help but stare at the ceiling again. "They really are perfect, Étienne."

[futaille]

He nudges Dionysus with his shoulder. "Oh, well, I had an excellent blueprint."

[vineleaves]

He leans his head over on Grantaire’s shoulder, still looking up. “You said Galahad gave you the idea? …What d’you think he would like in a thank you basket?” It needs to be a very big basket.

[futaille]

"Oh, that's tricky." He thinks for a moment. "Drawing supplies would probably always be good. Pastries. Something small that he can play with to have something to do with his hands..."

[vineleaves]

“Oh!” You can practically see the lightbulb go off. “There’s these — ah, fidget cubes? I think they’re called?” He holds his fingers up like he’s holding a small box, about an inch and a half or so big. “They have little buttons and knobs built in, so you can fidget with them. Don’t do anything, they’re just there to give your hands something to do. Bet I could find one somewhere…”

[futaille]

"I suppose. I've never seen one, so I'll let your expertise take the day."

[vineleaves]

"If I find one I'll show it to you too. Just so you can say you've seen one."

[futaille]

"Excellent! I'll look forward to it, then."

[vineleaves]

"Though if you end up needing to give a speech on fidget toys, you'll actually be prepared." This is clearly a downside.

[futaille]

"Well, I'll be prepared if I have to give a speech about whatever one specific fidget to you find, yes. If I have to give one about them in general, I'd clearly have to extrapolate."

[vineleaves]

“We could just cut out all that messy middle part by having you go ahead and give the lecture right now, before I’ve shown you anything.”

[futaille]

"Ah, but do I risk becoming too well-practiced in the activity before I start in earnest?"

[vineleaves]

“You? Well practiced in talking? Why that’s absolutely unheard of.”

[futaille]

"I'm just so reserved and careful with my words, I know."

[vineleaves]

“People are always saying to me, ‘Dionysus, what’s Grantaire’s deal? He’s so mysterious and quiet!’ And I just have to tell them, well, you know, some people are just naturally quiet.”

[futaille]

"I have a mysterious nature. It's undeniable."

[vineleaves]

“Comes along with being an oracle of the gods, I’m afraid. Can’t have all our secrets getting out, we clearly only select the most mysterious and quiet people for the job.”

[futaille]

"Oh, that makes sense. You have to have the right oracular mood."

[vineleaves]

“Helps things feel fancy, even if all you’re telling them is that their goat is pregnant.”

[futaille]

"I now think it's a lost opportunity that we don't have any goats here."

[vineleaves]

"Oh!" He shifts so he's looking directly at Grantaire now. "I love goats, they're so little and cute. We could try to convince the mansion to give us goats, and we could be cute little goat herders. Oooh, wait, no, cows. Cows are better. Sweet cows."

[futaille]

Grantaire laughs. "Szarka would be beside herself the second she laid eyes on them."