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He long ago forgot what a lover’s touch felt like. Did he ever deserve to know it to begin with? Everything he touches crumbles and falls before his eyes, turning to dust in his memories, only with him as a witness.
Was there ever anything that survived him? Being close to him? Being touched by him? As if the very air he breathes is poison and his every touch so searing hot it melts the skin off bones.
Long ago did he decide this must be Celestias way of punishing him for his sins and wrongdoings, which he probably deserved.
Does he want to know how many children he made lose their fathers or even worse mothers? Archons no he doesn’t but he knows it must be enough people.
What else should be the great sin leading to this moment, the final punishment right before his eyes just because he allowed himself to reconnect with the past.
He just wanted his little brother back and here he kneels on the ground, ice beneath his knees so unforgiving cold he misses the warmth of his lover’s touch. He knew his brother was destined for greater things, always saw it in the star in his eye and blinding smile he loved to give father. Never once did he think he could be used against his little brother.
Wasn’t it his task to protect? Be the so called darknight hero and fight the abyss order until his last breath? Deny his love for a harbinger until the last second? Then why was it him, being in need of saving, kneeling in chains heavier than his sins and families legacy, beaten and bloody and being a witness to fate being cruel once again.
Why else would Diluc Ragnvindr kneel here, deep into the abyss, having to witness his lover turn into the mindless monster he was meant to be? Diluc always said he wished to see Childes eyes sparkle again, but his wish was with joy. Not with pain while the foul legacy tries to devour him, wrapping itself around every memory the man posses and turning his very skin and bones into properties of the abyss order. He will never forget the screams of the man he swore to hate while loving him, screaming for his life and clawing his way to him, trying to save him even while being on the brink of death.
Diluc always told himself that there is one thing in the world that he knows its impossible: breaking Childe.
It seems today was the day fate decided to let the impossible happen.
“I love you firefly, I always did. Take care of Teucer for me.” was all he heard before the gentle loving smile of the man he loved got devoured. Oh and how he screamed.
No no no no no this cant be happening Childe wouldn’t lose like this right? This must be a silly joke. That’s it. It’s just a silly joke, a nightmare, he will wake up soon with his Lover in his arms.
But… why then does the hard floor against his legs feel so real? And why do his tears taste so realistically salty? And why does he hear his own screams so clear and loud, the beating of his heard, the voice of his brother-
Brother?
Hearing the voice of his brother, Diluc whipped his head around, almost falling over due to the weight of the chains.
There he sees him, his little brave brother, being held back by a blonde-haired stranger with the same stars in his eyes as Kaeya.
He can’t really understand his brother, head dizzy with pain and grief, but he will never forget the way his brother looked at him, repeatedly screaming for him and reaching for him while being teleported away.
Diluc allows himself a smile when the portal closes, maybe someone finally survived him. Maybe his sins have finally been punished enough.
But fate never was this merciful and especially not towards Diluc Ragnvindr.
A dark shadow suddenly loomed over him, the foul legacy standing before and over him, polearm in hand.
Letting out a tired chuckle he couldn’t help staring into the light blue orb of the beast.
“I guess you finally won love” where his words before the beast’s spear descended upon him.
A wet flop could be heard when his body dropped to the floor, unconscious and beaten.
Diluc was hoping it was his end.
But it was only the beginning of the end.
Accompanied by the shaking hand of a beast and the silent screams of a lover.