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It was a gentle night that one evening — the cold breeze wistfully glides by Mondstadt, a reminder of how free the city was and the way it truly identified its core value as freedom. It was unfortunate that no matter what, there will always be horrible people everywhere.
It was inevitable.
But tonight, it was a beautiful evening; the moon had risen high and the stars glittered like a billion lamps flickering above.
Diluc was tending to the bar since he was in a particularly good mood after a business treaty with a travelling merchant who worked for a winery in Liyue had went well, he thought of giving Charles a day off and let himself work in Angel’s Share.
It was a good day indeed.
Until a woman, you, comes to enter his tavern with a dazed expression, ordering a bottle of whiskey, chugging it down in a matter of seconds before ordering another one, then another one, and another one. You were getting drunk and drunk.
Diluc frowned then, disapproving of your drinking problems. He knew had no right to interfere with anyone’s personal life, but it wasn’t as if he could just let you ruin it.
“(Y/n),” he breathes your name out calmly, “that’ll be your last bottle.”
Your face contorted into that of anger, a glare as sharp as newly-crafted daggers shooting in his direction. “Shut up.”
Diluc didn’t flinch. “That will be your last bottle.” He says firmly, not budging.
You click your tongue, slamming the bottle down the counter furiously. “Figured your tavern was shit. I should’ve known the owner would be just as terrible. I’m out of here.” Just like that, you carelessly threw a bunch of mora on the counter, some coins even rolling to the ground ungracefully.
Diluc knew he should’ve been angry, but he couldn’t find it in himself to be. His mood had definitely sunken compared to earlier, but he wasn’t mad at all.
Perhaps it was because he held a soft spot for you — the person whose smile he wanted to see, not that scowl you were wearing earlier.
You stomp outside Angel’s Share, leaving Diluc to sigh as he bends down to pick up the mora you’d carelessly thrown over the desk.
“What a messy girl.” He mutters under his breath.
After a few more hours spent catering to his customers’ needs, he decided it was time to close the doors and lock the tavern. It was around one am, pouring distastefully when he’d shut the bar, a time where everyone should’ve been asleep, with the rain providing a lullaby for the people to fall asleep to.
Yet light grunts were heard nearby — in an instant, Diluc’s gloved hand reaches for his claymore that was hovering from his back, clutching it as he points the weapon with ferocity towards the source.
There was a silhouette of a woman that lurked outside the gates of Mondstadt. The guards were nowhere to seen, strangely, but he should’ve expected that. Diluc scoffs under his breath, expecting nothing at all from the Knights. He nears the figure, drawing the blade.
“Who are you?” His voice didn’t quiver, having gotten used to the countless dangers he’d faced since as a child.
“… Leave me alone.” It was faint, but Diluc heard it. And his heart practically dropped as soon as he recognized your voice, his claymore sheathing itself back to the strap on his back as he runs over to you, his gloved hands meeting your cheeks that were cold from the wet rain, caressing your cheeks as he observes your seething expression, uncaring if the rain wet his figure as well. Your safety mattered more.
You were drenched from the crown of your head to the soles of your feet, you were soaking wet and damp from the rain. Your eyes were glaring at him hatefully and with aggressiveness, you pushed him back. All while the winery tycoon didn’t even stumble much with how weak your shove was, Diluc definitely felt his heart sink and ache.
“What’s wrong?” He utters out, questioning you as he desperately wanted to know what had gotten you — the girl he’d seen always with a smile he wanted to cherish for life — in such a stressed state.
You grit your teeth, your eyes lighting up with a fire before stomping away. “It’s none of your business, Diluc.” You seethed, like venom from a snake injecting itself to a man’s body.
“It is my business. You’re—”
“Your father is gone, Diluc. You can’t keep promises forever.” As soon as you said that, the red-head felt himself freeze. And you must’ve realized you’d struck a nerve by bringing up his long-gone father, but even then, he couldn’t bring himself to be mad.
Was he always this forgiving towards you? If his foster brother had seen him in such a state, he would definitely be teased to no end.
“… What did your lover do?” He asked carefully, gulping as he sees your face morph into pain and heartache before casting your glare downwards, tears rolling down your cheeks. “Did he do something bad to you?”
“It’s… it’s none of your business,” you bit your bottom lip, “please don’t bother anymore.”
“I want to know.” He puts a hand under your chin, directing your eyes to meet his. His ruby-colored lens connect with yours and you shiver at how intense his stare was. You don’t think you’ve really paid much attention to how beautiful his eyes were. “If he did something bad, I’ll make sure to sought him out and deliver proper punishment.”
And just like that, the soft fluttery feeling you’d felt when he made you look his way, it disappeared and was replaced by an anger. “You don’t know shit.” You spat, shoving him back once more, but this time, putting his footing loose and set him nearly tripping. You frown. “Go home, Diluc. I’m an adult, I can take care of this.”
Of course, he knew you were perfectly capable of doing that. You were someone he deeply respected, and may or may not harbor profound feelings for over the amount of time he’d known you.
“I know…” He breathes out, exhaling through his nose. “But let me help you.”
You barely croak out a response, your expression contorting into that of pain once more. “Why? Why do you want to help me so badly?” You choked out. “Almost every fucking time, you’re there even when I’m not looking for anyone’s help! W-Why—just why!?”
There was desperation in your voice — as if begging him to answer you in the most honest way possible.
To give you an answer that you wanted to hear, an answer that you needed to hear to reassure yourself that you were worth something.
Diluc probably have watched you for far too long to actually understand you to this extent. It was both a good thing and a bad thing.
He breathes in deeply, his ruby jewels for eyes reflecting off fond adoration as he steps closer to you, his gloves reaching for your cheek, brushing his thumb gently to wipe off the tears. And slowly, but firmly, his arms go around you in a warm embrace. His right hand was on the back of your waist, the left tucking you further into his hug at the back of your head, his chin resting at the crown of your head.
“I care for you, deeply. Most fondly; most genuinely; most sweet—I have developed feelings for you in a way I have never gotten for anyone but you. Your smile that I’ve wanted to protect for years; an oath I kept secret to myself, a promise I’ve broken. I’m so sorry when you are in such a state, but…” He exhales, mumbling it through your hair as he feels his face heat up. “… you’ve caught my eye for a while.”
You were silent, the rain’s quiet pitter-patter to puddles being the only sound that resonated around you both.
“I apologize if I’m being too hasty—”
Before you started crying into his chest.
Diluc wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing, but he took your fingers gripping at his coat desperately as a good sign; a way of accepting him and his comfort. It was enough for now.
“I’m here.” He mumbles, listening to your choked sobs, your hiccups — he listened to them all. “I’m here…” He repeats, stroking your head sweetly and slowly to soothe you.
That’s right. He was there — always had been, and always will be.