Diluc (Fluff)
It was night in Mondstadt.
The moon was bright, but everything around you was wrapped in the shadows.
A cold breeze made you shiver, as leaves flew in the air.
You didn't know what to do.
That day was indeed the worst one that you ever had that month.
First, your commissions for the day at the Adventure's Guild were the worst ever. Fighting, fighting and, oh, did you mention fighting?
You hadn't eaten in all day, thanks to your lunch being destroyed by the monsters that you were supposed to fight.
Your weapon, a sword, was under the attentions of the blacksmith, Wagner, so you had to switch your weapon for a bow, and your aim was horrible. You ran out of arrows and were forced to run inside the enemy camp for taking them back.
Your shoulders ached, and your fingers did too.
The rewards you retrieved from Katheryne were the usual, and you decided to treat yourself, slowly dragging your body at the tavern.
Angel's share.
The loud chattering of the drunkards made you roll your eyes. You hated drunk people.
You usually went to the Cat's Tail but, after a while, you decided to change air.
There were many other reasons in your choice of tavern though.
Your friends gathered there, and you were well acquainted with Charles, the bartender.
With a light push, you opened the door.
"Charles! Good evening! How are busin-"
You interrupted yourself almost immediately when you saw the man at the counter.
That was not Charles, but the owner of the tavern himself, Diluc Ragvindr.
You cleared you throat, as the man in front of you arched his eyebrows.
"Sorry, I- uh, I thought that Charles was going to be there".
"I understood that".
Silence fell between the two of you.
That was pretty embarassing, you thought.
"So, uh, do you have any fruit juice?"
It was really unusual for Diluc Ragvindr to serve customers. You spoke with him only a few times, but his cold gaze and uninterested tone really intimidated you. Yeah, it was true that it was really late, but you were still surprised.
Every time you had to talk to him you couldn't help but to stutter a little.
The fact that Diluc was indeed handsome like few didn't help.
His long, red hair were tied in a high ponytail.
He was wearing a white petticoat and a black complete.
You couldn't help but to admire him in silence.
"Here, sunsettia's juice".
Diluc passed you the glass, making it slide on the counter.
"Uh, thank you".
The man grunted in response.
You took the glass and sat at an empty table, slowly drinking the sweet liquid.
"What kind of adventurer drinks fruit juice??"
A man, obviously drunk, leaned on the table, so close that you could smell the alcohol in his breath.
"Why don't you try something real, huh?" He threw an arm around your shoulders, sitting next to you.
"Don't tell me you will go on living your life like this?"
You tried to snudge away, but the man kept you still.
"C'mon, you are no fun! Why don't you try taking a sip?"
You were scared.
Why the man was so persistent? You wanted to be left alone!
"I am sorry, but I am not interested in drinking alcohol".
Your voice was calm and cold, surely now the man finally understood that he had to find someone else to bother.
"Awh, that's too bad. At least you could lean me a hand with a little ... problem I am facing". He winked at you. "I mean, we could find a more... secluded place. After all, you are so cute".
You wanted to throw up.
Maybe he was only drunk, you thought, but that was an absolutely inappropriate thing to say, and being drunk was not an excuse.
You began to look around, frantically.
"I- I am not interested. Now let me go".
Your voice shook a little.
Unnoticed by your eyes, the man slipped something in your drink.
"I am afraid I do not have the intention to go away or whatsoever". He nearly fell off the chair. He truly was wasted.
You squeezed the glass in your hands. The guy was persistent like a fucking mussel.
You nervously brought the glass at your lips, but as you were about to drink your deserved beverage a gloved hand grabbed your wrist tightly. The glass fell and broke. Pieces flew everywhere, the sunsettia's juice spilled on the floor.The man suddenly let you go, then he ran away, leaving the tavern's door open.
"I am sorry for the inconvenience. I will refund you the drink".
You looked up.
Diluc himself was standing in front of you, an angry expression painted on his face.
His fists were closed, and his vision was glowing, like the man was about to burn something.
"I- uh, I am sorry for the way I intervened, but that creep drugged your drink".
You couldn't say anything.
The only thing you felt was an incredible feeling of relief.
"Thank you" you murmured. "Thank you so much, Master Diluc. I don't know what would have happened if you didn't..."
The words died in your throat, and you realized you were shaking. Tears ran down your cheeks. You silently wiped them out.
Diluc threw the shattered glass away.
"Would you like me to escort you home?"
You nodded, too shaken to speak.
You stood akwardly as Diluc closed the tavern.
You never thought that he could be such a caring person.
"So, where do you live?"
"I am living at the Goth Hotel for now".
Diluc seemed shocked.
"The Goth Hotel? But the Fatui are renting it, are you sure it's safe?"
You were not so sure to be honest, and the man seemed to understand that.
The two of you started walking in the empty streets of Mondstadt, immersed into the moonlight.
"If I may ask, wht are you staying at the Goth Hotel?"
"I am not from Mondstadt". You looked at the stars. "I am an adventurer, so I move across the seven nations and I stay in one place for a while, then I move to another".
Diluc seemed intrigued, but the impression only lasted a few seconds.
"So, are you renting a room?"
"Yes".
After that, the walk proceeded in silence.
The building of the Hotel appeared in the scenery, but Diluc accompanied you to the entrance.
As you were about to enter you stopped.
"Thank you, for everything".
Your heart started to beat a little faster in your chest as you spoke.
The man only grunted in response.
Thanking him through words seemed too lame to you, so you wrapped your arms around him, embracing him into a warm hug.
"I really am grateful".
Diluc was shocked.
He didn't know what to do, or where to put his hands.
The adventurer surely needed comfort after that night's events, but he was the most useless person for that role.
Hesitating, he hugged you back.
You felt his warmth, a strong scent of grapes and wood reaching your nostrils.
His big hands were on your back, and your face was basically buried in the crook of his neck.
The hug only lasted a few seconds, but it seemed like forever.
The chill air felt like ice on your skin when you separated.
"I'll see you around!"
You happily smiled at him.
A few months had passed from that day, and you couldn't help but notice that Diluc was keeping an eye on you.
He also started to approach you more.
He even invited you over a few times.
He probably thought that you could drown into troubles again.
You couldn't help but let your imagination roam freely every time that you thought about Diluc.
You wondered how soft his hair could be under your touch, how soft his lips could be...
No! You shook your head, trying to hunt the thoughts away while you walked down the gate of Mondstadt.
Why were you thinking in that way of a man that was so unreachable?
"Good morning".
Speaking of the devil. Diluc Ragvindr stood in front of you. His coat was tossed on his arm, and his tie was slightly loosened up.
"Hi! What are you doing here?"
Your voice was defensive. You certainly didn't expect to meet him there.
"I am just going on a walk. Care to join me?"
You felt your face lit up, cheeks reddened.
"Uh, with pleasure".
The two of you crossed the bridge together.
The birds flew away as you passed through, and a kid scolded you for that.
It was a beautiful day. Birds chirped, creating new melodies. The wind blowed, making your hair move, and the sun was warm. Everything seemed brighter and more colorful than usual.
Was that the arrival of spring?
Diluc broke you out of your thoughts.
"So, it has been a few months from when we first met".
"Yes".
Silence enveloped you.
"I was wondering... if you would like to dine with me this evening".
You swore that your mouth could fell from a moment to another.
"Like a date?" The question slipped out of your mouth.
"Yeah, if you want to think about it that way".
"E-eh?"
You managed to say.
"I mean, it's fine if you don't want to... but-"
"No! I want to as well!" You quickly interrupted him.
". I-I was just surprised".
Diluc's usual cold expression was replaced by a softer one.
"And why so?"
"Well, I didn't expect you to ask me".
"Oh? And why not?"
You did not respond.
He was just so perfect!
He was handsome, gentle, successful and popular amongst many ladies, and he still choose you? Why so?
You weren't bad yourself, but you were clumsy, not-so-benestant and definitely not successful.
The bad thoughts followed you through the day, from when the man separated from you.
Nonenthless, happiness rushed into your chest.
Diluc asked you out! That was literally what you had dreamt of for weeks!
You couldn't help but to smile stupidly for the rest of the day.
It was nearly evening when you arrived at Diluc's mansion.
The light of the sunset dyed everything in an orange light. It all looked like a dream, too beautiful to be true.
Maids were roaming all around the yard, and some merchants were lifting their merch.
You hesitantly stepped through the big entrance.
"Hello dear! How can I help you?"
A maid approached.
She was pretty tall, her blonde hair resembled Katheryne's.
"Uhm, hello! I am here for Sir Diluc".
"Ooh, I see, so it's you!"
"Eh?"
"You are the one that Master Diluc is seeing right now! It all makes sense then".
"I am sorry, I am afraid I didn't really catch any of that".
"In the past few weeks, he started to take care of himself way more than before. I now see why he did so".
You blushed.
"Oh, you arrived".
The maid disappeared, and you turned around.
Diluc, in informal attire, was making his way into the room.
His crimson eyes were looking at you with such care that you almost felt moved.
"I made Adelinde prepare the things that you like, I hope you will enjoy everything".
The dinner went out smoothly.
The food was delicious, and so were your conversations.
"...and then the Hilichurls broke my blade! So now I have to use a bow while my sword is at Wagner's".
"Hmmm".
A thing that you really appreciated about Diluc was that he quietly listened to all of your nonsense, without trying to change the topic.
The man wiped his mouth with a tissue, and you did the same.
"Aah, I am so full I could blow".
Diluc chuckled silently. "Yeah? It would be better if we walked a little then".
Only a few minutes and the two of you were already outside, walking around the vineyard.
There was only silence.
Birds chirped and the water of the lake sloshed like a lullaby.
"You may wonder why I asked you out".
Your heart sank.
"The fact is, since when we started to... get acquainted to each other, I started to feel, well, happy".
You didn't know what to say. Blood rushed on your face, your cheeks reddening.
Diluc continued.
"I finally understood that my feelings for you only grew, day after day".
Only an inch separated your lips from the redhead's now.
"And I also understood that I couldn't keep them to myself anymore".
With that, the space between the two of you suddenly disappeared.
You were not sure if it was you that began the kiss, or if it was Diluc. Your mind was foggy, and your only thought was reciprocate that intimate contact, that contact that you dreamed of from too long.
The warmth of the man's lips crashed against yours, his hands on your cheeks, pulling you towards him. You gripped the cloth of his shirt, trying to balance yourself, but you just fell closer to him.
The at first chaste kiss turned into a lip-locking session. It felt overwhelming, and the more you got the more thirsty you felt.
The softness of Diluc's lips, the love that he showed while he kissed you, it was all driving you insane.
You reluctantly broke the kiss.
"I suppose that we are a thing now?"
Your words were not confident.
Maybe he was not ready for a relationship, or maybe he just wanted to kiss you, but Diluc nodded, taking your hand and pulling you against him yet another time.
"I suppose so, yeah".