Open: And they're gonna bend their branches down to lay their fruit upon the ground

[vineleaves]

Dionysus is in a kitchen, apron tied over a purple dress with vine details, singing to himself as he uses a melon baller to scoop out a watermelon. The large bowl next to him is already full of honeydew melon and cantaloupe, and he's got a few other ingredients nearby ready to add in once he's done with the watermelon. Mint leaves, some honey, some lemon juice, and some lime juice.

It has been quite an eventful time lately, but overall his life is pretty great right now.

Comments

[futaille]

"How fortunate we are to have a very comfortable bed."

[vineleaves]

"Made all the more comfortable by having you in it to snuggle."

[futaille]

"Huh. I guess I'm being useful after all."

[vineleaves]

"Don't worry, it can be our secret. Étienne the Secretly Very Useful."

[futaille]

A laugh. "You're too kind."

[vineleaves]

"Who, me? No, I'm terribly mean. To everyone. That's -- that's the other thing I'm known for, you know. Being just --" he's trying really hard to get through this without laughing. "Just a big -- meanie..."

[futaille]

Grantaire has no desire whatsoever to not laugh at this. So he laughs. "Oh yes, mean is exactly the first thing I think of when I think of you."

[wickedwit]

"Yes, well, I also told her I'd murdered my brother in the same breath." Claudius sighs -- but for all his insight, he can't sense any unease beyond the warmth of Dionysus's expression, and so feels no guilt in proceeding to unpack his own feelings. "Aornis had meddled with her memories -- made her believe her beloved Charlie had arrived, but she couldn't reconstruct their conversation in any detail. I could've let Tress go on believing the lie, as long as it made her happy ... but she would've discovered it sooner or later. Just as he would've discovered the truth about me, sooner or later. She deserved to hear it for someone who loved her enough to be honest with her ... I didn't expect that to be me, that's all. Though it seems, in my stolen memories, I told Aornis how I'd felt about Tress first, and offered the same avuncular regard. Who can say whether that's why Tress was targeted?"

[vineleaves]

Dionysus finally breaks and starts laughing as well. “It’s a wonder you even wanted to live together given I’m such an asshole.”

[vineleaves]

“Well, I added a little bit of honey just now, but I think they wouldn’t have ripened so well without Magnus’ help.”

[vineleaves]

“We can change the subject if you want.”

[futaille]

"I could say the exact same thing, so clearly it's perfectly fitting."

[vineleaves]

His grin turns into something less goofy and more... 'sappy' is definitely a word that could describe it. "I do think we fit together perfectly, yes."

[futaille]

His own grin turns absolutely impish. "In more ways than one."

[vineleaves]

Dionysus kisses him. "Like puzzle pieces."

[futaille]

"Exactly. And what a fabulous puzzle."

[vineleaves]

"The most fun puzzle I've ever put together, I'll say."

[futaille]

"I agree. And it goes together in such a variety of configurations!"

[vineleaves]

"Exactly! Most puzzles only have one way that works," he kisses Grantaire again. "But we don't have that problem."

[futaille]

"A much more interesting puzzle that way, I'd say." He gives Dionysus yet another kiss.

[vineleaves]

“Mmhmm,” he says as he kisses Grantaire. “I love you.”

[futaille]

"I love you too. A lot." He smiles a little. "At the risk of sounding too earnest."

[vineleaves]

Dionysus smiles right back. “Well. You know. It is important to be Earnest.” See, this is a joke he can actually make around Grantaire now.

[futaille]

He laughs, delighted. "I do get it, although the translator ruined it."

[lanselos_du_lac]

"Dost mean... is it about one's feelings? Emotions?"