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You could tell something was up with Diluc the second he opened the door. His hair was disheveled, his eye bags were even more prominent than usual, and he had a general aura of exhaustion about him that you could feel but couldn’t see. If you didn’t find him to be the most beautiful man to have ever lived, you’d probably say he looked like shit. As he took off his coat and boots, you could see the way he presented himself shift from the cold, sardonic persona he put on for the citizens of Mondstadt into just himself, Diluc Ragnvindr. He threw himself down next to you on the couch, exhaling sharply.
“Darling, what’s wrong?” you asked worriedly. Around lunchtime, Fleetwood had arrived with a note from Diluc telling you to send the staff home early, and you hoped the note and Diluc’s current state were unrelated.
“It’s nothing. I’m fine,” he replied, practically clenching his teeth. Okay, maybe the idea that traces of the true self exist in the false self has some merit to it. You sighed, shaking your head.
“I know it’s not nothing. Come on, talk to me, you don’t have to bottle everything up like this. I’m here for you, my love.” Diluc broke down and started to cry, unable to stop himself any longer.
“T-This day h-has been s-so fucking hard,” he said, cut off by sobs. “I ran into Kaeya and he was even crueler than usual, a-and then I had to cover Charles’ shift b-because he was out sick. Y-you know how much I h-hate that. Bartending for more than an hour is like torture to me. Putting on a s-show for them all a-as the mysterious asshole, pretending I understand their jokes and unsaid implications, and having to deal with how fucking loud they all are. I had you s-send the staff home early because I d-don’t want them to see me like this.” You pulled Diluc closer, his head buried into your shoulder while his closed hands tightly gripped the fabric of your shirt. You gently took the hair tie out of his crimson hair and started running your fingers through it.
“Shhhh, shhhh, it’s okay. It’s all gonna be ok, darling. Just let it all out, you don’t need to pretend around me. You’ve been working so hard, and I’m so proud of you, but you need to take care of yourself. You’re doing so good, you’re so good. You’re such a good boy, sweetheart, you’re my good boy, and I love you so much. It’s okay, my love, you’re safe, you’re going to be ok, just take some deep breaths for me. In and out, in and out, just like that sweetheart. Good boy, just breathe for me.” After a little while, Diluc managed to get his breathing under control, and he lifted his head up to look into your eyes. He released his grip on your shirt, moving his hands up to cup your cheeks, and pulling you in for a kiss. As your lips connected with his, you could taste the salt of his tears, mixed with the faint taste of apple cider, and something else that was just so distinctly Diluc. You both pulled away, smiling at each other, and Diluc yawned.
“Should we call it a night, darling?” you asked, a bit tired yourself.
“Absolutely, I’m so fucking tired,” he responded. You both stood up and made your way to your bedroom. You sat on the bed as Diluc changed into his pajamas, staring at him and thinking to yourself how lucky you were to love and be loved by such a beautiful boy, and how the gods must have blessed you by having your paths cross. Diluc was soon done changing, and got into bed with you. As both of you laid down, he wrapped his arms around your waist. It wasn’t so much in a protective or dominant way as it was the way a child in need of comfort cuddles a teddy bear.
“Goodnight, my love,” he whispered to you.
“Goodnight my good boy,” you responded, giving him one more kiss before floating into the warm embrace of sleep.