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As a Knight of Favonius and the Acting Grand Master, Jean had faced an unending list of challenges throughout her illustrious career. Ranging from diplomacy with the unscrupulous Fatui to overseeing Mondstadt during its week-long festivals, the Dandelion Knight managed it all. Anyone knew if they had a problem, Jean could solve it.
Jean’s current predicament, however, wasn’t so easily solvable, repeating every morning without fail.
It was in the form of her husband, snuggled against her side, his arm wrapped around her waist in an attempt to prevent her from leaving.
“Diluc,” she sighed, not for the first time that morning. “I have to go to work.”
“No you don’t,” he muttered sleepily, pulling her closer.
She couldn’t help but smile. It had amused her when she had first learned Diluc was a cuddler, always trying to find an excuse to hold her. She certainly didn’t mind it, he was warm and his touch helped her relax more than anything after a long day.
She was going to be late, though, if Diluc didn’t let her go soon. She already got teased more than enough when she stopped going to work early once she got married.
“I have an early meeting today,” she explained.
“You can skip it,” Diluc suggested, his voice muffled as he pressed his nose into her hair.
Jean turned so she could face him, her lips turning up at his messy red hair. “You used to scold the Knights for being a few minutes late to a meeting. Now you’re acting as if your work ethic isn’t the same as mine.”
Diluc smiled lazily and traced circles on her back, causing Jean’s heart to flip. After everything they had been through, she cherished these moments they had together, the both of them content.
“That was before I had a wife,” Diluc answered simply. “My priorities have changed.”
Jean laughed, leaning forward to press a quick kiss against the corner of his mouth. “I’m sorry to say mine haven’t,” she said.
“Perhaps I can try to persuade you to change them?” Diluc teased, leaning towards her.
Jean placed a finger on his nose, pushing him back. “Not now, love, I really do need to get ready.”
Diluc pouted, and Jean’s resolve threatened to dissolve right then and there. It’s not like she really wanted to leave, and her husband was making it harder to make the responsible choice.
“You can join me for lunch today if you’d like,” Jean offered, gently brushing his hair out of his face. Diluc joined her more often than not when he was in town, making sure she ate as Jean was still guilty of neglecting herself when she was busy.
Diluc pretended to consider it, pressing a kiss on her shoulder. “I‘ll meet you at two,” he then conceded with a heavy sigh.
“I’ll be waiting,” Jean retorted, finally able to get up as they untangled themselves. She got out of bed with no small amount of regret, the cool morning air causing her to shiver. Diluc truly was a human furnace, and she wondered how much of it was caused by his Vision. Jean couldn’t imagine how she’d force herself to leave once winter came, and she was sure Diluc would use that to his advantage.
The thought warmed her heart. They were living the promise of their wedding vows, greeting each new day together. It gave a simple happiness her favorite romance novels had never taught her to expect, and Jean couldn’t have wished for any better.
Even if she was late to work sometimes.