There's nowhere in Teyvat he would rather be.
"HI, DAD!" Diluc can hear the scream as soon as the door opens. But Cyno doesn't seem upset by the yelling, he only calls back.
"HELLO, GIRLS!" There's a small chorus of curses from three different voices.
Diluc expects scurrying to be heard, or quick, heavy footsteps, but there's not. There's a bit of laughter, but no sign that the three girls would come downstairs.
Cyno leads Diluc into the kitchen, smiling the whole time. Having no idea what Cyno was going to make, Diluc just follows.
He's excited, Diluc is excited, Cyno is excited, they're both excited. But before anything can be said Diluc's phone starts ringing.
Diluc looks to Cyno apologetically, but Cyno only smiles. "Take it, it might be important." Diluc nods, glad that Cyno has been and continues to be understanding.
"Where the hell are you?" The voice on the other line asks as soon as Diluc picks up. Kaeya is worried, and a little angry it seems. Looking at his notifications Diluc realizes that Kaeya had been trying to reach him all afternoon.
"Hey Kae, I'm fine." Diluc tries to reassure, but it only seems to make Kaeya more angry.
"I've been texting and texting, where the hell are you?" Kaeya's voice sounds strained.
Diluc looks around, wondering how much he wanted to tell his brother. Thinking about how much Kaeya might or might not approve.
In the kitchen, just a few feet away, Cyno puts on a purple apron that says 'kiss the chef' in green.
"I uh...I'm off campus." Diluc pauses, thinking about what else to say. "Eat without me, I'm going to be out for a while."
"What does that mean? Diluc, where are you?" There's a pause and maybe even a sniffle if Diluc strains his ears enough. "'Luc please, you're never like this." The sound of Kaeya's voice makes Diluc flinch for a moment. He didn't mean to make his brother worry like this.
"I'm fine, Kae. I swear, just working through some things, trying something new." Diluc can hear Kaeya sniffle again, but he pushes back the guilt building in his stomach. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to disappear like that, but you have to trust me. I'm okay."
There's a sigh, and a bit of hesitation, but ultimately Diluc can hear Kaeya nod. "Alright, but promise me you'll be safe."
It's Diluc's turn to nod, though he's sure Kaeya can't hear him. "Okay, I promise."
There's a small 'Hm' on the other end of the phone, and Diluc let's Kaeya take a moment, letting him decide if there's anything else he wants to say. "Okay, I love you, 'Luc." Warmth spreads over Diluc, he smiles, all of his previous insecurities falling away.
"I love you too, Kae." They was Diluc says it is confident, like he knows that he's right where he's supposed to be. There's a click, the line going dead, and Diluc is glad when he looks up. Cyno clearly heard the conversation, Diluc didn't walk far enough away for it to be too private, but Cyno is still pulling spices and ingredients out of various cupboards, drawers, shelves, and the occasional item from the fridge or pantry.
"Do you want to help?" Cyno asks, laying out everything he's grabbed out on the counter. "Or if you wanted you could go check on the girls for me?" There's no pressure, Cyno's not giving him a command or an ultimatum, more like asking for a favor.
"I'll check on Collei," Diluc says, looking at Cyno's face, there's a smile, a large one, on filled with pride. It makes Diluc smile himself, happy for he silent praise. It means a lot to him, it reminds him of how his dad looked at him, happy with the simple fact that he exists.
Then stairs are down hall, her door should be open. If it's not, knock. I don't know what kind of shenanigans they're going to be up to." Cyno's smile somehow gets even wider, taking up his whole face.
Diluc nods, turning around. Though he's nervouse, the sheer fact that he knows Collei's soulmates. It's been a while sense he's seen Amber or Eula. They were a year older than him, so he didn't interact with them much in Mond, both of the girls having been busy with student council work, but rumors had still made their way to everyone who had lived there, past and present.
Diluc walks up the stairs, and true to what Cyno said, there's one door open. From the top of the stairs, at the beginning of the hallway, he can see into the room slightly. It's green with splashes of pink.
As he gets closer to the room he can see inside even more. The walls or a forest kind of green, with a pink dresser, desk, and bedding. Collei, Amber, Eula all sit on the bed, playing some kind of card game.
Diluc hesitates, but knocks on the door frame anyway. None of the girls look up, but there is a small smile on Collei's face, though if the other girls are smiling Diluc can't tell. Collei's the only one facing him.
"Hi, Diluc." She says, causing the other girls too look up, clearly shocked even though they haven't faced Diluc yet. The nerves etching away at Diluc's skin get worse. Are they going to say anything?
"Hi, Collei." He says nervously. She looks up, something in her green eyes making Diluc feel safe. He really likes this family, they all make him feel so safe. So cared for.
Amber looks at Diluc, looking just as worried as he feels. "Hey Diluc, it's been a while." Diluc nods, though looking at the way Amber's looking at him makes him feel even worse. Despite how safe Collei makes him feel, Amber and Eula make him feel off.
Eula stands, walking over to the door, it takes everything in Diluc not to flinch. But Eula holds out her hand, offering it to Diluc to shake. He takes her hand hesitantly, though the smile on her face does put him at ease slightly.
"I'm Eula, it's nice to officially meet you, Diluc." Diluc smiles, shaking her hand. Her handshake is firm, respectful, and not judgmental in the slightest. It warms Diluc just a bit. "I've heard a lot about you."
"The pleasure is mine." Diluc pauses, looking Eula in her eyes. "All good things, I hope." Diluc laughs slightly, nervously.
Eula laughs, nodding. "Very good things, Collei thinks very highly of you." Collei gasps, calling Eula's name accusingly. Though it makes Diluc smile even more.
"Cyno's making dinner." The girls all nod, Eula taking a step back, out of Diluc's personal space, which he greatly appreciates.
"Do you want to help us get Collei down the stairs?" Amber asks, looking at Collei for approval instead of Diluc. When Collei nods, she continues. "We can all hand out in the kitchen."
This is when it hits Diluc. Collei uses a wheelchair. Stairs must be a no-go. he feels so stupid. Why didn't he think of it before? He nods, wondering how he can help, not having a clue on how he can possibly be of use.
"Do you think you can pick me up? I don't want to use my chair." Collei asks, before continuing a moment later when Diluc doesn't move. "You don't have to of course." But this only makes Diluc laugh a bit.
"Of course." He hesitates, unsure if Collei wants him in her room. She nods, waving him in, noticing exactly what he was thinking. Eula and Amber move aside, giving Diluc some room. "Um, how do you want me to-?" Diluc trails off, not sure how to ask the question in the first place.
"Bridal style is fine, as long as you're confident you won't drop me," Collei giggles a bit, letting Diluc come closer. He hooks one arm under Collei's legs, and one arm around her back. Lifting slightly, Diluc laughs a little bit at Collei's giggles.
Eula leaves the room first, the Diluc with Collei in his arms, followed by Amber. They descend the stairs slowly, making sure to be super careful. At the bottom of the steps, a wheelchair for Collei is stationed. Eula unfolds it, rolling it away from the steps slightly to give Diluc room to move. He sets Collei in the chair before standing up straight.
They all laugh again, and Diluc feels truly at home. He never laughs with Mona or Kaeya like this anymore. It was almost always dark and gloomy, all of them stepping on eggshells.
Collei wheels into the kitchen first, heading to the connecting dining room. Amber and Eula both follow, sitting next to her in chairs next to the table, though Diluc chooses to stand next to the counter in the kitchen, not wanting to crowd the girls.
Cyno smiles at them all, stirring something in a pot. "Whatcha makin, Dad?" Collei asks, smiling at her dad. Cyno's smile gets even wider. It's a miracle really, the fact that they're all there at this moment. For the first time since his father's death, Diluc doesn't regret any of his actions. If it weren't for how things played out then he wouldn't be here like he is.
"Chicken Alfredo." He pauses, looking up to Diluc. "Is that alright? It's vegetarian, with fake chicken." Collei laughs, and though she's not looking at Diluc she wonders if it's okay too. They never did ask Diluc about what he eats. And to be honest, Diluc hadn't thought about it either.
"It's okay," Diluc starts, thinking back to how his dad made Chicken Alfredo, he used fake chicken too. "I don't mind, I'll eat practically anything." Eula smiles at him before Collei's laughter breaks out again.
"It's not fake, it's called seitan." Amber giggles at her girlfriend, making Diluc wonder if they were always this giggle-y. They were, but the way their eyes were a little red made Diluc think they partook in something.
"What does that mean?" Diluc finds himself asking, smiling at Amber who pokes at Collei's face. They all smile, even Cyno takes his eyes off of the stove to watch.
"It's white wheat protein," Eula answers, smiling at her girlfriend, both of them nod, turning to look at Diluc a moment later.
Right as Diluc is about to say something, anything, he can't think of what he would say, the front door opens. It's Tighnari, he walks in like he owns the place, which he does.
"Hey, how was class?" Cyno asks though he doesn't look up at his husband. Tighnari smiles, walking over to kiss Cyno. It's a sweet thing, even if Collei makes a gagging noise. She ultimately smiles. Amber and Eula both laugh, making Diluc smile.
Maybe he could have this, maybe he could have a family like this. It makes him hopeful for the future, something he hasn't felt for a long time.
"Hello, Diluc," Tighnari says, looking at Diluc and smiling. "Thank you for joining us." Diluc nods, the pleasure being all his. If he could, he would never leave this moment.
"Thank you guys for inviting me." Cyno waves at Diluc, as if to say that it was no problem, saying that they were glad to.
"Eula, can you get some plates?" Cyno asks, giving one final stir to the mix of fake meat and noodles.
Tighnari walks a little closer to Diluc, moving to ask him something quietly. "Do you say grace Diluc?" He asks, and Diluc almost feels guilty saying no. He stopped after the crash, he never was super religious. But after that, all faith was lost. But Tighnari smiles. "That's okay, we don't either."
It makes Diluc smile, how out of the way they were going to make him feel comfortable. Or was it out of their way? Diluc's starting to think that Tighnari and his family were just like this, just this kind and welcoming.
They join the girls at the table, Cyno bringing the whole pot of food to sit at the table so they can serve from their seats.
Cyno smiles when they sit down, moving to serve the food, and Diluc thanks the stars for this experience. He never wants to leave.
There's nowhere in Teyvat he would rather be.