Chapter Text
As the two climbed the hill in front of them, Diluc’s head began to spin. He stopped for a moment. Was he,,,out of breath?
‘Impossible,’ Diluc thought. ‘This climb is nothing. so why,,’
The rain continued to pour. It trickled down his neck, down the back of his boots. He shivered, quickly focusing his pyro energy to his hands. The rain sizzled off of them and yet, Diluc felt cold.
What was going on?
“Diluc, are you doing okay?” That deep voice said from above him. For the first time in what felt like hours, the rain had stopped, driven away by the bright shining amber of Zhonglis eyes. standing above Diluc, he temporarily shielded him from the cold rain.
“A-ah, yes, yes I'm doing ok.”
“We can always turn back, you know.”
“Pardon?”
“From this expedition,” Zhongli said. “The rain is coming down hard, it would not be wise to stay out in these conditions.”
“Yes, that’s true, but we’re so close to the stronghold. The abyss moves and changes with every waking moment. so, I must use any time I have to track them down.”
Diluc quickly walked forward, urging his feet to move though they sloshed in his boots and ached with every step. the top of Starsnatch cliff was in view. They were almost there.
“Besides, I don't need an umbrella.”
~~~
Once the two reached the abyss stronghold, they were given a moment's relief from the rain. Diluc rested against the rock wall of the cave, catching his breath. He didn’t realize Zhongli was watching him, looking a little scared.
Suddenly, a loud noise sounded through the cave. The two jumped up, weapons at the ready. A hilichurl ran past and they attacked. A slash. A stab. Pyro, hydro, cryo, geo; they all blended together in the fight. There must’ve been 3 or 4 different abyss mages and a whole fleet of hilichurls. Mitachurl horns were being sounded, the mages were shrieking and laughing and chanting. Diluc couldn't tell up from down, his head was spinning so much. All he could do was keep his hands on his claymore and his eyes on the enemy.
At some point, Diluc got caught in a hydro samachurl’s rain. Gods, he felt so cold he almost couldn’t take it anymore. Nearly dodging a cryo abyss mage’s icicles, he flipped out of the rain, colliding with Zhongli’s pillar.
“DILUC!” He heard Zhongli yell.
Diluc quickly jumped up, hurling his claymore at a group of hilichurls. They scattered and withered to dust. He turned to Zhongli, giving him a quick nod before racing off to take down the abyss mage. Zhongli grimaced. Diluc’s fighting was remarkable, among some of the best he’d seen...but did he have to throw himself into danger every time?
Finally, the last hilichurl crumbled away into dust. Diluc slammed his claymore into the ground, resting his head on the handle.
“Diluc..” Zhongli quickly walked up behind him, placing his hands on his back. Diluc shivered, not from the pain or cold, but from his touch. “Are you alright? Everything feel ok?”
“No need to worry, I’ll be ok.”
Diluc stood up, putting his claymore away and walking into the ruins of the stronghold.
Oh, how Zhongli hoped he was right.
~~~
Night fell over the hills of Mondstadt. The rain hadn’t ceased but got a little lighter on their trek back. Diluc carried with him a makeshift sack of his findings, maps and letters all written in languages he couldn’t understand. Lisa or Zhongli probably could though...maybe he’d have to invite both of them over for tea next time. Maybe it was the heavy sack on his back or the cold wind at his damp back, but Diluc was beginning to feel dizzy and weighed down.
Zhongli talked the whole way back. He told stories about how Mondstadt was formed, how he and that bard used to be in a never-ending cycle of pranks. Most would hate hearing him talk on and on for an hour at least, but frankly, Diluc adored it. He loved listening to Zhongli. His voice, deep and gravelly, struck him at his very core and warmed his insides. His stories, though long, were breathtaking and wonderful. Not only that, but the way Zhongli seemed to light up when he talked, his eyes shining and his face glowing? That’s what made Diluc the happiest.
Soon, they were back at the gates of Dawn Winery. A few lights were still on in the mansion, indicating that Adelinde and Elzer were probably up awaiting his arrival. Diluc shrugged off his sack, letting it rest on a nearby wagon.
“Ah, I’d invite you in but it’s already pretty late.” Diluc gave Zhongli a sheepish smile. He returned it, giving a small nod.
“It would be best for me to begin my trek back to Liyue. When the moon is bright and high in the sky, that is the ideal time for a nice, peaceful stroll.”
“I do have to agree with you on that.”
Zhongli chuckled. “I suppose you do, Darknight Hero.”
Diluc blushed, covering Zhongli's mouth as he continued to laugh. “Please, not that nickname again.”
He felt Zhongli's lips brush against his fingertips and quickly brought his hands back down to his sides. Zhongli seemed to have noticed as well and quickly looked off into the distance, fiddling with his earring.
“Well, I suppose I’ll see you next time then.”
“Until then.”
~~~
The second Diluc opened the doors to the winery, the world grew hot. All the layers he wore seemed to pull him down. Slightly, he heard a muffled cry.
He collapsed, crashing against the floor. Adelinde barely caught his head before it collided.
“MASTER DILUC!” Moco and Hillie cried in unison.
Adelinde quickly hoisted Diluc up and into her arms. He was damp and shivering and she could see the beginnings of tears in his eyes. She hadn’t seen him like this since…that night, 5 years ago.
She rushed him into his room, throwing his large comforter off the bed. From in the hallway, Moco and Hillie peaked around the door.
“What do you think happened to master Diluc?” “No idea..” “He was out with that mister Zhongli right?” “Oh my gosh, what if he broke up with him???” “Silly Hillie they were never dating, duh!” “Ohh…” “Omg what if they y’know-“
“Girls.”
They squealed, clinging to each other. Elzer had approached behind them.
“YES MR ELZER SIR?!” they squeaked.
“What has happened to master Diluc?”
He peered into the room. Diluc, usually so strong and stern, was heavily breathing against his pillow. His face was pale and his cheeks were almost as red as his hair. Adelinde was quickly stripping him of his countless layers, muttering about how impractical they were.
“Adelinde?” Elzer called. her head snapped up, eyes bright. “Whatever happened here?”
“Master Diluc seems to have a fever, a bad one.”
Moco and Hillie gasped. “Omg didn’t that one merchant from Sumeru die of a fever a little while ago?” “The one that sold the spicy nuts ??” “Yea hi-“
“Nobody will be dying tonight” Adelinde said loudly. Her arms shook as she held Diluc’s sopping coat. “Not tonight.”
She turned her attention back to the group by the door. “I'm going to go fetch some thinner sheets from the basement. Elzer, monitor his condition and get him out of those clothes. Moco, Hillie, start a bath. Master Diluc will be back on his feet in a few hours.”
Elzer nodded, trading places with Adelinde. the maids squeaked as she left the room.
Slowly stepping towards his master, Elzer felt the room get colder. If it wasn't for his sporadic breathing, he would’ve thought Diluc was dead. Dark bags hung beneath his eyes. His lips, cheeks, and forehead were a bright, almost brutal red.
Just like Crepus looked,,,on that night.
Swallowing his fears, Elzer shook Diluc’s shoulder.
“Master Diluc, can you hear me?”
Diluc let out a soft, shuddering breath. Ever so slightly, Elzer saw his ruby red eyes shine with tears.
“,,,Z-Zhongli?”
A quick squeal could be heard from the hallway. Elzer whipped his head around to see two figures dash from the door.
Diluc's hands gripped at the covers. “Zhongli,” he mumbled. “D-don't go,,please. I…I need you..”
Elzer stepped back as Diluc let out a soft sob.
“Girls.”
Moco and Hillie jumped into the doorway, saluting Elzer.
“YES ELZER SIR??”
“Monitor him. I’ll be right back with someone that might help.”
~~~
As the rain poured down, Zhongli couldn’t help but think of Diluc.
When he dropped him off at the winery, he didn’t seem to be in his best condition. He rushed in the door a little too quickly, stumbled a little too much. Maybe the walk took more out of Diluc than he thought.
‘Ah, there’s no use thinking about it now,’ Zhongli thought. ‘Diluc is a strong man, he can get through this.’
But..he didn’t feel at ease.
Despite his musings, there was still a part inside of him that knew…something wasn’t right.
He is mortal..after all..you never know...
No.
No nothing like that.
He’s alright, just a little worn out.
But what if….
Zhongli quickly put those thoughts behind him, stepping forward. The rain was coming down, hard. If he weren’t an adeptus he would be ducking for cover.
So, he continued his brisk, lonely walk. Admiring the world in all of its silent, yet breathtaking, beauty.
It reminded him of...
“MISTER ZHONGLI!!”
A faint cry.
He whipped around. In the distance, he could faintly see a figure running towards him. Their voice wasn’t familiar but..they looked frantic.
Zhongli briskly walked towards them as they stumbled through the rain. No mortal should be out at this time.
As he grew close enough to make out the figure’s face, they slipped in the mud. Zhongli dashed over, creating a small geo construct to break their fall.
Illuminated by the pulsing light of geo, Elzer's worried face could be seen. Drenched with rain and tears, he looked at Zhongli like he was a godsend (rather ironic, actually).
“Mister Zhongli!!”
“Elzer-“ he said, leaning down to help the man up.
“Mister Zhongli, you need to come back with me right now. It’s Diluc, he needs-“
Diluc...
He is mortal..after all...
No.
Nonono...
Nonononono-
But what if…
No please…not again.
Zhongli didn’t realize he’d begun to run.
Before he knew it, he was before the winery. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see a faint orange glow.
Without knowing it, he’d partially shifted into his archon form, all glowing limbs and scaled skin. Zhongli forced that form back, barely containing it by the time he made it to the door.
Moco and Hillie opened the door, peering up at Zhongli's tall form with sparkly eyes.
“Mister Zhon-“
He rushed past them. Quickly slipping off his shoes and coat, he dashed up the stairs.
Please...
“Please be ok.”
He whispered this prayer under his breath as he stood at Diluc’s door. A low timbre, low enough to be heard by only gods alone.
Pressing his forehead against the door, Zhongli sighed a shaky breath.
“I can't lose him as well.”
Gathering all his strength, he slowly opened the door.
There he was.
“Diluc..”
His hair fanned around him on the pillow. His face shiny with tears and sweat. The contrast of his pale face and bright red lips, cheeks, and nose. Those small breaths, shaky and congested, but enough to make Zhongli’s heart soar.
His feet moved on their own. Soon, he was kneeling by Diluc’s bedside.
Diluc weakly opened his eyes, looking through his long eyelashes.
“…Z-Zhongli?”
Those eyes snapped open all the way, bright and red and shining.
“Zhongli!”
Zhongli held him, cradling the sick man to his chest. Diluc's sickly warm face pressed against his throat and Zhongli could feel him relax against the cold skin of his neck. With a shaky breath, Diluc leaned into Zhongli. He was damp and chilled by the pouring rain, but he was there.
He came back...
Diluc couldn’t stop the tears that rushed to his eyes.
He came back….nobody ever comes back...
He tightened his grip on Zhongli the best he could, though his arms felt heavier than three claymores. He sobbed into his shirt collar, digging his face into the soft, silky material. It smelled of Zhongli; glaze lilies, herbal teas, and some indescribable smell that reminded Diluc of mountains.
“Zhongli…”
“I'm here Diluc.” His deep voice rumbled through Diluc’s body. Zhongli brought his hand up to the back of Diluc's head and ran his fingers through that long, long red hair. He felt Diluc shudder.
“I'm here.”
After half an hour of sobbing, Diluc grew quieter. his breaths became even and he completely relaxed onto Zhongli’s broad shoulder. He smiled, rubbing Diluc's back softly.
“Diluc?”
“..mm?”
“Can we please move onto the bed?”
Diluc gave a sleepy nod. Zhongli carefully laid him back onto the bed, adjusting the thin covers. Then he slowly eased onto the bed. The mattress was plush, high quality, unlike what Zhongli had at his apartment in Liyue. He'd have to inquire about the brand later.
Slowly inching over, Diluc curled himself onto Zhongli. Resting his head on his collarbone and stretching his leg out between the archon’s, he held Zhongli close. He let out a shuddering breath, making the hairs on Zhongli’s neck stand on edge.
Neither man could remember the last time they were this intimate with someone.
Zhongli began to pet Diluc's hair again, making the man on his chest hum in approval. It was still damp from the rain and heavily tangled. How often did he brush it? (Zhongli made a mental note to buy Diluc a hairbrush like his own).
As they lied there, Diluc felt safer than he had in many years. The last person to pet his hair oh so carefully was…his mother probably. There was a picture in the attic of her doing just that, a loving smile on her face and a large bow in Diluc's hair.
It felt…nice. ‘Maybe I can ask Zhongli to do this more,’ Diluc thought as he wrapped his leg around Zhonglis. ‘He wouldn’t be opposed to the idea, would he?’
The man in question was wondering the same.