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Short One; The Resilient Shed Tears Too
“Ah, it’s raining.” Diluc hums to himself perched on the windowsill of his room. He relishes in the pitter-patter of droplets pounding furiously on the window pane. It’s rare for him to find moments of tranquility, especially of the mind. However, his peaceful moment is short-lived, as his eyes narrow in on what seems to be a young boy who is collapsed on the path to the lake near Dawn Winery. Diluc shoots up and hastily makes his way out the winery and over to the boy. He does a once over for any obvious wounds and lands on various cuts and bruises littered all over the poor boy’s arms and side. Hoisting him into his arms, he hurries back inside where there is shelter from the biting cold rain.
-
Diluc clicks the door shut softly as to not disturb the blonde resting on his bed. Thankfully, he only suffered minor injuries. Whatever had caused him to pass out was completely psychological. All that remained was to wait. As if on cue the figure started to shift around groaning in pain.
“You shouldn’t move too much,” Diluc remarked. “You’ll irritate that bruise on your side.” The boy blinked once, then twice completely lost.
“Where am I?” He asked voice dry and rough.
“You are at the Dawn Winery. I am the owner, Diluc Ragnvindr.” Diluc handed him a glass of water from the tray he brought in which the boy graciously took and downed immediately. Diluc took a seat on a chair belonging to his nightstand which he had moved over to the side of his bed, accompanying the boy.
“I found you collapsed outside in the rain.” He gestured to his tray which had a medical kit beside the pitcher of water. “I can patch you up if you’d like.” The truth was Diluc could have left the task of patching him up to the maids and came down to accept the boy’s thanks later on, but for some reason, he wanted to do it personally. He always did have a soft spot for children.
“Yes, please. Thank you Master Diluc. I’m Bennett and I’m an adventurer.” Bennett offers a bright smile to the man and sits up fully despite definitely being in incredible pain. After all, his injuries were nothing to sneeze at.
“Just Diluc is fine.” Diluc offers a small smile back. “So, how did this happen?”
“I was out walking through the woods when a whopperflower jumped out of nowhere! It ended up whacking me pretty hard... I ran as fast as I could but started to feel lightheaded. Guess I passed out huh?” Bennett chuckles rubbing the back of his head sheepishly. “Right I remember now! I was on my way to these ruins I’ve heard lots about!” Bennett chats happily about the ruins his friends at the guild told him about as Diluc listens quietly applying salve to his bruises gently before sticking bandaids to his various cuts.
Well, he sure seemed to gain the pep back in his step quickly. A little too quick.. like he was used to it. Being an adventurer must be rough Diluc supposed. And thus the evening progresses just like that, in which Diluc gingerly and attentively patches Bennett up while he gets off topic and chats about the guild, his adventures, and recounts some stories of failure. Well, a lot of stories of failure. Diluc doesn’t mind though. He likes to listen, making hums of acknowledgment or understanding here and there.
“Seems you’re rather unlucky.” He chimed in.
“Yeah, I get that a lot heh. But I can’t stop now! How can Benny’s super awesome adventure team go on without Benny?!” Bennett’s eyes seem to shine radiantly. Diluc’s heart swells up with a warm sensation, a soft smile creeping up onto his otherwise sharp features. He admires the young boy’s determination and strength despite having it pretty rough. He finds himself respecting the practically buzzing Bennett immensely.
“I’m sure your dads are very proud of you, Bennett.” He quiets that. Were they proud of him? Bennett didn’t know... They have never said so. It made Bennett more than a little sad. He so wished to hear those words. Diluc notices Bennett’s silence, something very uncharacteristic for him, he noted, and looks up in time to see his face die down and turn sad.
“I dunno.” He says simply, shrugging his shoulders dejectedly. Diluc pauses and purses his lips. He feels the urge to pull him into a hug and comfort him. He’s so tough his dads probably don’t realize he too needs some reassurance once in a while.
“Well, I know I’m not one of your dads but for what it’s worth… You’ve gone through so much Bennett and are still brimming with passion. It’s very admirable. I would be very proud of you Benny.” Bennett’s head perks up in surprise at the grown-up looking back at him warmly. He feels a wave of relief and sadness wash over him like a tsunami, as well as tears welling up in his eyes. He bites his now quivering lip before swiftly diving into Diluc’s chest, clutching his waist tightly. Diluc is taken aback for a moment before he eases into the hug, soothingly combing an ungloved hand through his hair. The sheer gentleness of the action makes Bennett snuggle his face deeper into Diluc’s chest trying to stifle his sobs. Bennett wasn’t usually this emotional, in fact, he kept everything under tight locks. So why was he here crying into the chest of someone he met about an hour ago? He didn’t get it, not at all. Yet, he didn’t need to get it. All he knew was the man’s smooth voice, soft hands, and warm chest along with the steadiness of his beating heart set him awfully at ease. He didn’t realize he was so starved for touch and attention like this. Oh, how he longed for this.
Unable to control himself he bawled into Diluc’s shirt completely soaking it through. Diluc didn’t mind though. Comforting children was most enjoyable and he was rather good at it, often comforting Klee whenever she was upset about her mom. He could always put on a new shirt afterward anyways. Soft hums waft through the air as Diluc comforted the boy. It was a tune his late father used to hum. Eventually, the boy quieted and all that remained was Diluc’s hums.
Bennett slowly moved off his chest and avoided eye contact. “I...I’m sorry for hugging you so suddenly... I don’t know what came over me..” He lowered his head.
“Don’t mention it, kid.” Diluc lifts his chin to meet his slightly puffy eyes and red cheeks. “Everyone needs a good cry now and then. If you ever want a hug but don’t know where to go, come find me.” Bennett nods slowly.
“It’s raining really heavy, you can’t go home like this. You should sleep here tonight. We have a spare room.”
“Actually… can I sleep here with you? Please...” How could Diluc refuse when he asks so softly? He really feels for the tough kids that don’t receive as much attention as they should. At the end of the day, they deserve just as much reassurance.
“Of course Benny.”
Short Two; When it Rains…
Following the events of last week, Bennett visits Diluc frequently just to chat between adventures and the pair grow rather close. One day in the evening when Diluc had just finished winery affairs and was preparing for a peaceful night, loud feverish knocks resounded throughout the winery’s first floor. Upon opening the lofty door, three children stood drenched in the ever relentless pouring rain. Bennett and two others, one with long gray hair and soft eyes, the other shoulder-length blonde hair with two pigtails and shivering terribly accompanied by a raven perched on her shoulder.
“Hello Diluc sir! Don’t suppose we could stay here ‘til the rain lets up?” Bennett asks shyly rubbing the side of his neck. The boy mutters a small ‘hello’ and the girl sneezes in response. Diluc softens at the sight, stepping aside to make way for the cold trio.
“Of course. Make yourselves at home.”
Shortly after, the teens are sat on one of the winery’s plastic sofas, as to not get the plush ones wet. Only when all three are wrapped up in large warm towels with herbal teas in hand, supplied by the maids, does Diluc relax. He decides it simply wouldn’t do for them to catch colds.
“Thanks a million, Diluc. The rain really came out of nowhere! But I suppose that’s how it always is when I’m out adventuring,” Benny chuckles softly. “Sorry, you guys got caught up in my bad luck too...”
“Not Bennett fault.” the grey-haired one quickly waves off his companion’s apology.
“Oh, where are my manners? Diluc, this is Razor and Fischl, my friends!” The boy beamed a proud smile at the prospect of having and retaining friends despite his luck.
“Hello,” Diluc greets warmly. Razor answers with a quiet ‘hi’ practically hiding behind his teacup. Whenever he turns out of the corner of his eye, however, he catches the boy staring at him, head tilted kind of like a puppy.
“I, Fischl, Prinzessin der Verurteilung, descend upon this land by the call of fate and- ACHOO ” Fischl groans and clings to her towel tighter.
“It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance mister Diluc.” What. Did the raven just...talk? Diluc sat there eyes as wide as saucers for a moment as the now damp bird peeked out from inside Fischl’s towel. There is no. way. Barely containing his excitement, he cleared his throat. “Likewise. And you are..?”
“He is Ozvaldo von Hrafnavines my ever-faithful companion and familiar, King of the Ravens,” Fischl boasts happily. “My loyal comrades and I call him Oz… And since Bennett reveres you so… you too may address him as such.” Diluc almost doubles over as if someone were to pierce his heart with an arrow, But instead softly smiles at the trio + Oz in front of him. They are so cute. He wants to keep them. Can he keep them?
Short Three; Peaceful Afternoons
(Note: not a continuation of previous shorts! In this Razor and Bennett are just learning to fight and train with Diluc <3)
Diluc heaves a big sigh and drinks in the quietness of the outdoors. After a stressful day of winery business, he was in much need of a calm walk around Windwail Highland’s beautiful grassy fields. He hums to himself and closes his eyes basking in the sun’s warmth.
“DILUC!” Diluc stiffens as he feels his soul begin to rise up and leave his body, going to join his father. But wait, he recognizes that scratchy voice…
“Razor?”
Razor always did seemingly pop out of nowhere. Diluc loves him but that boy would be the death of him. Diluc opens his eyes and there he is. Except, he’s carrying a claymore on his back as if it weighs next to nothing.
“Razor finally found you! Razor look everywhere!” The boy pouts and Diluc immediately forgives any trace amounts of displeasure from being scared half to death.
“You were looking for me?” Razor nods eagerly.
“Razor want hunt with claymore! Diluc has claymore. Diluc teach Razor!!” Albeit a bit taken aback, there was no way Diluc could refuse those hopeful eyes.
It had been about a week since Diluc initially gave Razor some pointers on using a claymore. Razor picked it up surprisingly quick, swinging it around effortlessly eyebrows pinched adorably in concentration. The prize for having the correct form was Diluc’s head pats after all.
During one of their training sessions, Bennett had decided to come for a visit. He watched in awe. The next day adorned a bulky claymore and the look of utter exhaustion. Diluc shut it down immediately, instead offering Bennett a sword. From then on Diluc’s peaceful afternoons were no more.