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“Close your eyes.”
“Diluc, where are we headed?”
“You’ll see.”
Jean chuckled, squeezing the Ragnvindr’s hand as he led her through what seemed to be a field. Because he blocked her line of sight with his hands, she couldn’t tell what kind of fauna grew here, but it ticked her knees. The excitement flowed through like the anemo from her Vision, pushing her further and further to the surprise Diluc had in store.
Earlier in the week, he persuaded her to go with him on a long journey away from Mondstadt to see the meteor shower. Initially, Jean was hesitant, as always. Every person in the Knights convinced her to go, though their reactions were strange to say the least. They were more insistent than usual, desperate even. Lisa’s gaze seemed to threaten her with death and Kaeya confiscated all of her work before she had a chance to argue.
I wonder what got them all worked up. I’ve been better about giving myself breaks.
“Alright, we’re here.”
Diluc removed his hands and Jean opened her eyes.
The wind blew seeds of the Dandelion Sea all around her.
“Diluc…”
She had mentioned in the past about wishing to visit this place one day, especially after hearing Venti’s songs about the wonderful place. However, since joining the Knights, her schedule would never allow for this long of a vacation unless it was work-related. Even the trip to the Golden Apple Archipelago was a stretch. How Diluc managed to keep this under wraps and sweep her away to see this place, she’d probably never figure out.
Actually, no. Jean knew she was too occupied with her work to see a surprise like this coming. Diluc must have planned everything behind her back.
The first meteor shot across the sky and Jean’s eyes lit up. She became enthralled with the sight of the shower, each meteor floating like the dandelion seeds in the field. Being here was a dream come true, and being here with Diluc made her heart soar with the meteors and the seeds. Jean swore she almost floated away, had it not been for Diluc gently taking her hand.
“Did you enjoy the surprise?”
“Yes, I did,” she replied, smiling. “Thank you for this.”
“I should be the one thanking you for accompanying me on this journey, Master Jean.”
“You don’t need to call me that, Diluc.”
He chuckled, pressing a kiss to her lips. “I simply wish to give our Acting Grandmaster the respect she deserves, seeing as she took time away from her busy schedule to join me.”
“Well, it was more the Knights who pushed me to go.”
“Then I should thank them as well for allowing my girlfriend some time out of work.”
Jean flushed red, prompting a small laugh from Diluc. He cupped her face and caressed her cheeks. She could feel her face grow hotter by the second.
“There was another purpose to this trip.”
“Oh? Might I ask what it is?”
Diluc took her hands in his, rubbing her palms with his thumbs. “Jean, you’ve made me a very happy man these past few years. I could never ask for a better partner and friend.”
“I haven’t done much-”
“You’ve done more for me than I ever asked of you. For that, I will be forever grateful for the second chance you gave me.” He gazed up at her with eyes that shone like the meteors in the sky. “I only hope I’ve made you as happy as you’ve made me.”
Jean nodded. “You have. You’ve made me a very happy woman, and you’ve helped ease the burden of my job and made sure I’m well-rested.”
“I’m glad. Perhaps I can ease your burden more?”
“How do you plan on doing that? You can’t take on my entire job.”
“No, but perhaps I can be more involved in it. In your life, I mean.”
Before she could ask what he meant, Diluc kneeled on one knee and pulled something out of his pocket. It was a small black box with the Gunnhildr’s insignia on it. When he opened the box, Jean stood in awe of the beautiful gold band that lay within.
“Jean Gunnhildr, will you do the honor of marrying me?”
‘I heard if you make a wish, it will come true.’
The words from her younger days rang in her ears once again and Jean couldn’t help but gaze up at the sky just once as tears flooded her vision. A meteor shot through the stars, but time slowed down long enough for her to catch it.
‘Make a wish on what?’
‘Shooting stars, dandelions. I think any of it works. Make a wish, Jean!’
‘I wish I could-’
‘Don’t say it! It won’t come true!’
“Diluc, do you remember the wish we made when we first joined the Knights?”
His eyes grew slightly. “I do.”
Jean smiled brighter, leaning down to meet his face. “It’s finally come true.”
“Do you mean-”
“Yes. My answer is ‘yes’.”
Another meteor shot through the sky and this time, Diluc caught it.
“Make a wish, Jean,” he said, slipping the ring onto her finger.
She cupped his face with gentle hands, then plucked one of the dandelions in the field. Holding it between them, she blew at the stalk and the two of them watched the seeds drift in the wind, joining the stars above.
“I wish that we’ll always be happy.”
“I think that’s a wish I can make come true.”
Their wish was sealed by a long kiss in that field of dandelions under the stars, carried by the wind back home to Mondstadt. On the wall of the city, a certain archon smiled at the greetings of joy.
“May your marriage always be blessed with freedom.”