Work Text:
The drunkards had left the bar a humid nightmare. It smelled of sweat and wine, and left a sickly heavy atmosphere. Autumn was beginning to understand why Diluc hated drunkards. She was currently moping up some vomit one of the patrons left behind before they closed. Diluc was cleaning some glasses behind the counter.
“Hey Diluc.” Autumn started. She usually wasn’t one to make conversation, especially since the two enjoyed comfortable silence. Diluc didn’t look up from his glass but instead made a noise signifying that he was listening. “You wouldn’t have happened to have picked up some mail for me, did you?”
Diluc looked up at the archeologist. “No. Why?” He asked. Autumn rinsed the mop in the bucket of water as she was about to finishing cleaning up the mess. “Hmm. I got an odd letter on my desk the other day, and I didn’t know if you put it there. If it wasn’t Kaeya or Charles, we may have to get the locks changed.”
Diluc set down the glass when he finished cleaning it, but stopped for a moment before grabbing another. “That’s… not good. Do you have a place to stay until we get them changed?” Diluc asked. Autumn smiled to herself, seeing Diluc’s “older brother” traits beginning to leak.
“Unfortunately not. If I did stay somewhere, it would probably be the couch in Kaeya’s office.” Diluc gave her a concerned look before nodding in acknowledgment and returning to his glass. “What exactly were in the contents of the letter?” He asked.
Autumn stopped for a moment, and hesitated to answer. She wasn’t expecting him to ask about it, since he usually never did. Not to mention she didn’t even tell Albedo or Galatea, let alone her boss. She released a small sigh before responding. “It was… odd… to say the least. The person who wrote the letter was warning me that I was getting to far into my research. They said was ‘treading in dangerous waters,’” she explained.
Diluc gave a thoughtful hum in response before asking, “anything else?” Autumn though for a moment before responding. “Yes. I thought it odd that the letter was written in navy blue ink.”
Diluc suddenly turned to face Autumn. “What?” Looking in his eyes, Autumn could see the rush of emotions he was experiencing. Fear, anger, and a hint of sadness. “Diluc are you okay?” Autumn asked, finishing up with the mop. Diluc blinked a few times before responding. “I’m fine.” He said. He paused for a moment before going back to cleaning the glass.
“Okay.” Autumn said. She went outside to empty the murky water from the mop bucket.
Diluc sighed and looked at the bottom of the glass. He was back. But why now?