Archive of Our Own

Diluc Ragnvindr was many things.

To some, he was the Dawn Winery tycoon, a wealthy man—an eligible bachelor to most, if not all, women in the city. To others, he remained an enigma. Nobody truly knew what went on in his head, as most of the time, he kept to himself and refrained from talking or confiding anything to just anybody, even to his own brother, Kaeya.

Yet, here she was. The only person Diluc seemingly trusted. It wasn't a surprise, though. To those born and raised in Mondstadt, it was common knowledge that Diluc was close friends with a particular woman named Y/N since their youth. The elders would always see the two together, either riding their horses on the way to Stormbearer Mountains or stargazing late in the night at Starsnatch Cliffe.

The pair were practically attached by the hip.

The bond between Diluc and Y/N was something that entertained and piqued the interest of the people of Mondstadt. It seemed as though their friendship never faltered, never experienced a fall-out despite what happened with Crepus. Some wondered how and why he still allowed her by his side, knowing how much he shut out the acting grandmaster and current cavalry captain out of his life.

Little did the citizens know, Y/N significantly helped him during his lowest times. She was not in Mondstadt that day Crepus was killed, as her family had moved away temporarily because of business. Diluc felt so vulnerable and alone. By accident, he had stumbled upon Y/N in the same nation he went to. He initially hesitated to tell her everything that happened but eventually gave in.

It relieved him to know she wouldn't leave him after telling her everything. Gratitude and happiness filled his heart for once since that tragedy.

That’s why it was no longer a surprise to see Y/N walking side-by-side with the tycoon the day they both returned to Mondstadt. Of course, this fueled numerous suspicions and rumors about their relationship, but nobody was ever brave enough to voice their thoughts.

Were they merely friends? Or were they already more than that?

That was still a question yet to be answered by the two, as they themselves still don't have an answer for it.

"Tell me again why you dragged me all the way here when I could be peacefully sleeping in my chambers?" Diluc murmured under his breath, trying to blink away the sleep in his eyes, as he let himself be tugged by the woman off to who knows where.

This simply earned a chuckle from the woman dragging him by his sleeve, and for a second, Diluc's annoyance almost immediately dissipated because of the sweet sound. Almost. He still felt quite a bit cranky, being woken up all of a sudden.

"I missed stargazing with you," Y/N chirped in a sing-song manner as if she too hadn't just woken up. If anyone were to see the pair now as they headed to Starsnatch Cliff, they would be bewildered seeing the two simply in their sleep clothes. Diluc merely wore a shirt and pajamas under his coat—which he almost didn't grab in time, being abruptly dragged out of bed. The woman, on the other hand, was wearing her flowy nightgown.

Had he had enough energy, he would have scolded her for wearing such a piece of clothing that couldn't protect her from the cold, piercing winds blowing in the night.

"You're as impetuous as ever," he sighed, now fully awake as they finally reached their destination.

Y/N simply gave him a toothy grin, trying so hard to look apologetic but failing to do so. Diluc could no longer hold back a smile as they sat near the cliff's edge. He thanked the archons that she didn't see it as her gaze focused on the twinkling dots in the night sky.

"Tell me you regret coming here with me," she grinned mischievously, turning her head towards him, catching him already staring at her. They were both flustered but didn't notice it. Either they were good at covering it up, or both were utterly oblivious.

"I don't," Diluc answered, carefully scooting closer to the woman beside him. "I have to agree. I did indeed miss the old times. It has been a while since we last did this," he added. He carefully placed his hand behind her. He was one move away from wrapping his arm around her waist, and as much as he was tempted to do so, he refrained himself in fear of making her uncomfortable.

"You're too busy these days, Diluc. I missed you, my friend."

As soon as the words reached his ears, his cheeks turned the same shade as his hair. He quickly turned his head away from her in an attempt to hide the growing blush on his cheeks. Her statement, despite being accompanied by a word he learned to despise—ehem, friend—made his heart flutter. A string of curses was muttered under his breath as he tried calming himself down.

"I—I had missed you as well," he started, barely getting the words out as he was still flustered. "It feels nice to spend time with you out here even if you dragged me out of my chambers."

Y/N feigned annoyance as she turned her body to look at him, softly hitting his chest before a genuine smile grew on her lips.

After that, the two were surrounded by a comfortable silence, letting the cold winds of Mondstadt kiss their exposed skin. It didn't take long before the two had decided to lay down on the grass to continue gazing at the stars.

"I still wonder where Aether came from," Y/N found herself muttering as she moved closer to Diluc's form lying beside her. "I always wondered what was beyond the stars and the moon. Do you think there's anything past it? The sky we see is already beautiful, so it really intrigues me if there are more beauties beyond Teyvat."

The woman shifted, tilting her head to look at Diluc, silently listening to her. His eyes focused on the sky. "Do you ever wonder that too sometimes, Diluc?"

The redhead hummed, his eyes shifting from the sky to her questioning gaze. With all honesty, Diluc rarely thought of those things. Why would he when he could already see the galaxy in her eyes? "I'm afraid I don't," he muttered, earning a soft smack from her on the arm, making him chuckle. "Why would I wonder of beautiful things I haven't seen when I already have you by my side?"

Diluc didn't know where he was getting the courage to say all these things. Maybe he was too sleep-deprived, giving him a certain amount of bravery he needed to perhaps finally confess to the woman beside him.

"And here I thought Kaeya was the smooth talker," she teased, softly poking his side as she erupted in a fit of giggles. The sound was music to his hears.

The redhead's gaze on her never faltered, making Y/N wonder why Diluc continued staring at her, a look she had never seen on him before. "Diluc?"

He always knew her beauty and charm. He was aware of how she caught the eyes of both men and women in Mondstadt and the other places they traveled to. But she seemed extra ethereal this moment. The moon's bright glow perfectly highlights her features, making her eyes twinkle even more luminous than the stars in Teyvat despite the darkness.

The very same eyes he stared into was filled with life, something that served as his pillar during his lowest times. It seemed that after all these years, her eyes never lost their light, and Diluc hopes it would stay this way forever. He’d do anything, exchange anything, if it meant never letting the burning passion in her eyes die out.

Everything stilled as the sounds around them seemed to deafen. Diluc found himself leaning on one of his arms as his other one brushed away the strands of hair before he gently caressed her face. He saw how she swallowed, her lips parted, and no words coming out of her mouth as she seemed lost in his eyes.

And then it finally happened. The thing they were longing for had taken place.

Diluc leaned down, his body almost hovering above Y/N's body, softly placing his lips on hers. They unknowingly let out a sigh of relief, as if the thirst they've been feeling for so long has finally been quenched. Fireworks seemed to erupt in their stomach, a giddy feeling filling them up as they continued to savor each other's lips.

"Y/N," Diluc whispered as they parted, both out of breath. His forehead rested on hers, their noses slightly bumping as their breaths mingled. Their lips were still parted as they breathed heavily, and Diluc was tempted to lean in once more.

Finally, having the courage to open her eyes, the woman looked up at him. An anxious look on her face. The line they crossed was one she had wished to erase for so long, and now that they've finally crossed it, it terrified her. She and Diluc had been friends for more than she can remember, and they were both traversing a new territory unfamiliar to them.

"Diluc," she murmured, finally finding her voice. "Friends—" she stuttered. "Friends shouldn't kiss me like you do."

Upon hearing this, a soft smile found its way to Diluc's lips as he let his ungloved hands cup her face, making her look at him. Assurance filled his eyes, which almost made her forget her worries.

"That's fine," the redhead finally answered as he leaned in, ready to kiss her once more. "I don't plan on staying one for any longer."

With that, Y/N's heart fluttered. Before she could even react, she felt his lips on hers. Dawn was fast approaching, but neither of them cared as they continued to share kisses and whisper sweet words to one another before continuing to kiss again.

Once they felt the drowsiness catch up, a product of staying up late, they parted once more. Before they got up to leave for the winery, Diluc leaned in and whispered.

"The moon looks beautiful, doesn't it?"