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Diluc and Childe were finally in Liyue. The last location they planned to visit. Diluc’s stress levels were rising, he had gotten barley any clues and he had to go home and see his people. Diluc hadn’t even told Childe his name, about his family, who he was, anything. He had lied. About everything Said he was just a nobody in Mondstat, single father who died and nobody remembered him, left to avenge him and find out who killed him. He knew he was going to spill one day, but he didn’t want Childe to call him Diluc. It made him furious being called that. People in Liyue mentioned how he looked like Crepus Raginvindr. He would laugh but was furious and it made him upset. The man thought he failed his father by not avenging him. Childe and Diluc decided to go into town and shop as well as just have a nice day. Mostly Childe doing the planning because he thought that Diluc deserved a day off.
Of course, as they are getting food, one of the ladies who runs it mentions, “Hey! You look a bit like Crepus Ragvindar, maybe your his son! I heard he ran away. I think his name was Diluc..? Is that right? Dawn Winery hasn’t done much business. We still buy wine from them!Crepus was a lovely man.” She said, smiling. Dilucs stomach sunk, heart pounding. He tried to remember what his father looked like. He couldn’t remember. He forgot. Oh. He forgot. He forgot. Forgot. Forgot. How did he forget. How, how, how. He took a big shaky breath. “Oh! Haha! I-I don’t know him or what he looks like. That’s funny!” He said nervously. Childe side eyed him and they got their food and sat down. Dilucs hands were shaking and his mind was somewhere else. Childe put a hand on his shoulder and he jumped. “..Hey, you okay?” He asked. Diluc just stared at him. “I-I’m..” he looked around at all the people. His anxiety levels rose and he sat up straight. He believed if these people thought he was a Ragvindar, he needed to be sophisticated and act like one. “I’ll tell you later.” He whispered, eating his meal. Childe hesitantly nodded. Diluc felt a pat on his shoulder from the man next to him. A small but appreciated gesture. Over the years Diluc had become less proper than he had to be at home, but still had excellent manners.
Walking back was dead silent. Dilucs lips were quivering and his brows furrowed into a concerned expression. They got back to their camp and once they got in the tent, Diluc let out a choked sob. Childe didn’t understand he was crying until he saw his face. Diluc had never cried before. Only once or twice when he was badly injured, but he wasn’t the emotional type. “Oh- hey, hey what’s wrong?” He asked, cupping his face. Diluc pushed him away and brought his knees to his chest, face buried in his legs. “Shh.. it’s alright, talk to me..What’s wrong, Phoneix-?” “..Diluc.” He spat out. Childe paused. “What?” He pulled away and looked at the man before him. “Diluc Raginvindr.” That’s my name. My real name.” He said, raising his head.
It was time for him to spill his guts. He was already talking, might as well answer all his questions. “I am technically the legal owner of Dawn Winery, inheriting it from my late father, Crepus. He died on my birthday..” Diluc explained, “I wasn’t strong enough to save him. He used the Delusion I carry now and died. I was the Calvary Captain of the Knights at 15, but,” He paused, not looking at Childe. He wouldn’t dare to look at Childes face. Tartaglia hated liars. And the lies Diluc had told him and made him believe over the years were now dissolving into nothing but anger and confusion. “..They screwed my father over, the knights, and covered up his tragic death. It was a Fatui plot. I’m sure of it now. I didn’t want to tell you. I felt like I should have, but now you know..” He explained, finally looking at Childe. It hurt. He looked so angry. so confused. This was so much to take in for him. Dilucs glance went back into his lap. “My brother revealed his true identity the evening of my birthday after fathers death and I tried to kill him. I wasn’t thinking straight, I don’t remember much. I burned my hands since my gloves had blood on them. He gained his vision that day. So I left him alive. I wish I..said something before I left.”Diluc said, wiping his eyes.
Childe was shocked and upset. Mostly angry. He didn’t know what to say. “You lied to me? And- and you faked your name, tricked me into believing everything you told me about you. And never told me the real reason why he died? Even though the group I’m associated with directly caused his death?” He asked, reeling away from Diluc. “You don’t understand. I didn’t want anyone knowing my identity and I didn’t want to alarm you -“ “You lied to me for 3 years, Diluc.” Childe snapped back. Diluc looked him directly in the eyes. “Don’t fucking call me that.” He said, glaring at him. Usually, Childe would back off. But this.. this just made Childe pissed. “SERIOUSLY? We’ve known each other for 3 years and you won’t let me call you by your real name, are you fucking kidding?” He said, shocked and hurt.
“You’re pathetic, Diluc. No wonder your father died.” Childe said, realizing what came out of his mouth. The look of pain and rage in the claymore wielders face was enough to make any man drop dead in his tracks. Diluc punched him in the face. A little hard. Childe fell to his side, putting a hand on his nose, groaning. It was definitely broken. His hands shook and his eyes were wide. Diluc now remembered. They were supposed to be enemies. Diluc had pushed him being Fatui out of his mind. The fatui turned to him, his eyes piercing through the winery heir. “You- You bitch.. You’ll pay for that.” The harbringer said, punching Diluc in the gut. Said man wheezed and fell back, rolling onto his stomach. He curled up and coughed. “I- I can’t believe you lied to me. I even introduced you to my family, you went to a party in Shneznya, we FAKE DATED!! We slept in the same tent and fought side by side for 3 years and you’re telling me I don’t even get to call you by your real name? Fuck that!”The other delusion wielder yelled, kicking him in his side. Diluc yelped and rolled on his back. N.11 of the Harbringers knelt down and grabbed him by the collar of his shirt. “I can’t believe you..” Diluc panted and head butted him. The Harbringer fell back, stunned.
When he had recovered, Diluc had already got up and rushed out of the tent. Childe chased after him. Diluc was running as fast as he could. Away from him. To Mondstat. “DILUC! YOU ASSHOLE GET BACK HERE!” He yelled, running after him. Diluc was running for his life “YOU B-BITCH! YOU CANT JUST LEAVE ME!” Childe screamed. He cared for Diluc, he loved him. Now, he’s just leaving? “DILUC!!” He yelled after him. He reached out his arm as he got closer. And closer. The man in front of him slid to a stop, whirling around. His eyes were wide. Tartaglia never realized how red they were. He saw Diluc’s Delusion glow and he launched his chains summoned by his delusion at him. They wrapped around Childe and he fell onto the grass with a thud. The chained figure groaned, struggling. “Diluc! Don’t- don’t do this..” Childe begged, his eyes tearing up. “Stay- stay away from me.. I need to go home.” Diluc said, panting. Childe saw the regret and shame in his face. What was he regretting? Childe didn’t get the chance to ask before the man had rushed off.
Diluc just ran, and ran, and ran. The chains finally released from Childe and dissolved, and Diluc was long gone. Ajax didn’t even attempt running after him, knowing the attempt would be futile. Diluc didn’t stop running. He ran until his legs ached, screaming for him to stop. Beads of sweat ran down his face accompanied by blood from butting heads with Childe. Diluc ran till he couldn’t breathe. His lungs and chest hurt. He only stopped when his legs didn’t want to run anymore and he collapsed. Diluc just laid on the dead grass and dirt, panting and wheezing. He laid there for hours, in the sun, panting. He had to take his shirt off it was so hot. Diluc didn’t sleep though.
He started thinking about Childe. Why did he just leave? Oh god. They both loved each other but were too stubborn to admit it. They cared for each other and Childe made his 3 years bearable. Childe made him laugh, smile. They had so much fun together. His heart ached and he started sobbing. He yelled and put hands over his face, tears running down the side of his face. Diluc stayed like that for awhile just thinking about his relationship with Childe. Finally, he came to acceptance. Acceptance that he had to put it behind him. He couldn’t let it get in the way of his life as the Dawn Winery heir. He didn’t want to accept it but he had to. God. If he ever saw him again he might cry. Once he caught his breath, and calmed down he got up and started to walk. To Mondstat. He was so fucking tired.
The walked and ran for days, fighting whatever crossed his path or running past it. Every muscle was sore in his body. He hunted and drank water out of rivers. On the 5th day, he made it to the Winery. He was beaten and bruised, dirty, shirtless, scarred, sunburnt, face red. He looked horrible. Hair grown out, face dirty and hands filthy. He weakly walked up to the Winery, banging on the door. Some people who didn’t know him well wouldn’t recognize him. He waited and knocked again. The lock clicked and the handle turned.
The last person he wanted to see answers it. Kaeya. “Hello, how c- oh- oh my lord, Diluc? What-“ The blue haired man asked, walking backwards. The new Calvary Captain stared at him, thinking that he was going to try and hurt him. But, Diluc didn’t answer. Didn’t even bat an eye at him. He had barely any water or food in his system. Diluc shoved him aside, getting dirt on his clothes. He took two steps in before collapsing to his knees then stomach. Kaeya was shaking. He didn’t know what to do with him. He hadn’t seen him in 3 years. Tried fo murder him last time he was here. He was filthy. And injured. Adelinde hurriedly walked in and saw him lying on the ground. “Oh barbatos! M-Master Diluc!” She said, covering her mouth. “Master Diluc is home!” She called out to everyone in the Winery. Everyone rushed in, not expecting the sight before them. A less pale Diluc with a tatto of a flaming Phoenix on his back, covered with dirt, scars and bruises, and sweating his ass off. Hair grown out and put up in a ponytail. He suddenly twitched and opened his eyes, rolling over onto his back, looking at Adeline. She knelt down next to him, hugging him getting her clothes dirty. “A-delinde..” he mumbled, pressing a small, loving kiss on the side of her face. She did the same, smiling. “I’m sorry I left..” He said, clearing his throat. Kaeya had already rushed out of the house. All he was there to do was visit for old times sake, not expecting the man to come home. “Hold on. I’m going to pass out again..” He warned before he went limp in Adelinde’s arms. The maids called two men that were here to make business deals and asked them to carry Diluc upstairs to his bathroom. After doing so, they put him on a chair and two maids put him in a bath and cleaned off his body. He floated in and out of consciousness, waking up before falling asleep again. They put shorts and underwear on him, bandaging him up before having to wait till he wakes up to guide him to bed. Once he did, he slowly walked to his room with the help of a maid. He could finally have a bed to sleep in. Diluc laid down and immediately fell fast asleep.
Diluc woke up at 6 a.m. He groaned and sat up, rubbing his eyes and sighing. After getting up and taking a shower, he got dressed in his work uniform. He was 22 now. It had been 4 years since he stumbled in after wandering
Teyvat. Now, he was the successful owner of the most famous and wealthy wine tycoon in Teyvat. His day was always the same. Wake up at 6, shower, eat, go to his office and work till 5, go to Mondstat by 5:30, visit diona, go to the bar and serve drinks till 11. Diluc finished work, put on his button down and black vest with a tie, got his horse and went to Mondstat. Visited Diona and let her rant to him about her dad or customers and went to Angels Share.
Serving Kaeya, Venti, and Rosaria was always interesting. Venti never paid and Diluc kept trying to force him to. Kaeya usually gave Diluc money to let him go. “C’mon big brother, just let the man slide this time, huh?” He said. “You said that last time Kaeya.” Diluc retaliated, turning around to clean drinks. “Unless you are going to pay his tab, I don’t need you to defend him.” The bell on the door jingled and Diluc sighed. “Welcome to Angel’s Share, I’ll be with you in a moment. What would you like to drink?” He asked. “Do you serve fire-water here?” The man standing at the door asked. Diluc paused and dropped the glass he was cleaning. It made a loud noise against the counter and Kaeya jumped. The tavern was silent. The voice. It was so familiar. He whipped around, eyes wide. Childe stood there, his smirk disappeared. “Oh.” The man said as he exhaled. They both stared at each other in silence, everybody in the tavern looking at the owner. Diluc took a deep breath, glaring at Childe. “What are you doing here.”