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Diluc was leaving Angel's Share in order to head home to Dawn Winery. While walking he noticed Flora started to pack up her flowers early. Curious as to why she would start packing her flowers an hour before sundown he stopped to chat.
"Evening Flora." He started the conversation walking towards the little girl.
"Oh" The young girl looked up towards Diluc. "Evening Master Diluc. Are you interested in buying flowers? Sorry I was in the middle of packing" She put a flower pot down to chat with the winery master. Diluc didn't care much for purchasing flowers but he did pass by Flora often so he had a natural relationship with her.
"No sorry." He didn't have much of a reason to purchase flowers today. "I was actually heading home but I was curious as to why you were packing up so early." Flora understood why Diluc would be asking. Being in Angel's Share he wouldn't have heard. "In the town square it was just reported a large rainstorm is coming. I didn't want to get stuck cleaning up my flowers in the rain so I decided to pack up early. I suppose you haven't heard of the rainstorm yet? If so, I recommend heading home as soon as possible."
Diluc understood the concern. He always said he would be fine in the rain but it was always preferable to avoid the rain shower. "I see. Thank you for updating me. I hadn't heard but I appreciate you informing me. Here." He hands her some Mora and picks up the flower pot she put down to talk to him. "Thank you for informing me."
Flora smiled at the last transaction of the day "Thank you Master Diluc." Diluc waved her off and continued on her way leaving the front gate of the city. He saw in the distance the rain clouds Flora was referring to. Still he believed he should be home around the time they reach the Dawn Winery. He started walking, noticing the wind was stronger but paid it no mind. While walking south now he happened to see the Acting Grand Master Jean running a full sprint. It looked like she was coming from the Whispering Woods. He stopped when he saw Jean was now running towards him.
"Diluc!" She stopped running just in time to not run over him. "Have you seen Klee?!"
"Jean?" He gave her his full attention. On Jean's face was nothing short of sweat, a panting mouth catching her breath, and a look of complete concern. "You look like you've been running for a while. Catch your breath and tell me what's going on." He waited a bit so Jean can catch her breath but he guessed that she didn't give herself a lot of time to do so.
She took one single quick breath not wanting to waste a second longer. "Klee is missing. She went out to play and she hasn't come back yet. I don't think she knows a storm is coming." saying this Diluc saw panic start to show again. Jean was composed when facing dangerous odds such as fighting the Abyss Order or Dvalin. Yet none of them made her worry as much as the possibility of Klee being outside during such a large storm. She was acting more like a mother concerned for her child than the grand master of the knights.
Diluc could understand her concern and was concerned himself. Klee was more than capable of handling any monster. But he didn't want to risk Klee getting sick or hurt during the storm. "Alright where have you already searched? I will help you find Klee." He didn't need to think twice before agreeing to help find Klee. Just as Jean was acting like mother Diluc showed his fair share of signs of being a concerned father.
However, he hadn't lost his composure like Jean has so he needed her to confirm where she had searched. Jean took another moment to breathe and regained some composure. "I've searched around Starfell Lake and along Cider Lake where Klee usually likes to play." Diluc recalled one of Klee's favorite activities was to go fish blasting so it made sense why Jean checked those areas first and not the dense forest.
"Alright. Then you head towards Windrise and the Falcon Coast. I'll take a detour through Springvale and check by the Dawn Winery where the larger lakes are. But just to be certain of any change of her heading uphill towards Dragon Spine's frozen river?"
Jean knows where Klee has and hasn't been better than anyone. "Unlikely. I've never brought her up there as there are closer and safer locations for fish blasting."
Diluc nodded to this agreeing it would be safer for Klee not to head towards Dragon Spine. "Alright then that’s what we will do. If I find Klee, I'll send word to you immediately. If you don't find her at Windrise or Falcon Coast, wait by Monstadt's gate. If I find her, I'll bring her home." Though if Jean did find him he didn't think of how Jean would contact him but it's better if Jean was dry from the rain instead of him after all she is Klee's guardian.
"Thank you Diluc." She smiled, feeling reassured. "If she comes home or if I find her I'll send a knight to inform you. I just hope she's safe and we find her before the storm."
He placed a hand on Jean's shoulder "We'll find her." Even if he wasn't certain on where Klee was he wanted to at least reassure Jean.
The Acting Grand Master nodded and started to run off to Windrise. Diluc did the same heading for Springvale first. There was a small lake by Springvale that may have been used for fish blasting. If Klee was there he hoped Diona's father Draff would have seen Klee or brought her to the village in anticipation of the storm. He headed towards the village. Draff was there bringing some of the food that was hunted to the village chef who looked like he was rushing probably wanting to avoid the rain.
Diluc ran to him not wanting to waste time. "Draff. Got a minute?" Draff looked at Diluc "Ah master Diluc. How can I help?" "You know the Spark Knight Klee right?" Diluc didn't wait for Draff to answer as most people knew who Klee was. "Have you seen her? She hasn't returned to Monstadt yet."
Draff thought about it for a few minutes stroking his beard trying to see if he remembered seeing Klee. "Hmmm... I don't recall seeing her around here... doesn't mean she wasn't here as I was hunting most of the day."
"I see." Diluc didn't realize it but his face started to show signs of concern.
Upon seeing such a face Draff spoke up "I can check the village real fast. See if anyone else has seen her. If she was around these parts I'm sure my people would have brought her to the village with that nasty storm coming." Signing with a bit of relief he nodded. Draff quickly put the food away and started going door to door in Springvale. Diluc didn't know anyone else in the village so he only followed Draff hoping to find Klee here. However, as they visited each home none of them recalled seeing the famous spark knight.
After speaking to the last villager that was when the rain started. Draff felt the rain and was immediately concerned. "I'm... sorry master Diluc... She isn't here... sounds like nobody has seen her either."
Clutching his gloved fist Diluc was starting to get worried. "Alright... if you see her please bring her inside. I'm going to continue to search." The frozen rain only made him worry.
They then heard a young voice call out. "Daddy!" Draff's daughter called from their home. "Hurry up otherwise you'll be soaked to the bone... wait. Diluc! Why are you here?!" She practically hissed seeing him.
Draff goes to his daughter getting inside out of the rain "Diona please that's rude." Diona gave him a towel to dry himself off but stared daggers at Diluc. "Diona have you seen Klee? Master Diluc is looking for her."
Diona's ears perked up. "Klee? Yes, I saw her while out hunting for ingredients for my latest cocktail."
Diluc standing in the rain suddenly looked up with hope returning to his eyes. "You have?" He rushed towards the young cat girl "Please tell me where she is."
Diona looked rather frustrated when the Dawn Winery master was suddenly so close to her "Ugh... look she was by that big lake by your winery." Diluc looked relieved but still worried.
"Thank you. Draff I hate to ask since it's raining. But can you head towards Windtrace? Acting Grand Master Jean should be there looking for Klee."
Diona looked annoyed "What no way. It's raining!" Diona made it clear she did not want her father to go out in the rain.
Draff nodded "I understand. I'll head straight there. Diona I'm going to stay in Mondstadt tonight. A hunter doesn't leave their team to fend for themselves." Diona saw how serious her father was being and nodded reluctantly.
Diluc smiled "Thank you Draff. Next time you’re at Angel's share your drinks are on me. Tell Jean where Klee is and that I will be keeping her at the Dawn Winery overnight until the rain passes."
Draff nodded "Understood master Diluc. I hope you'll join me for that drink. Even if you don't drink" He grabs a raincoat. "Diona is staying here. I'll be back in the morning."
Both Draff and Diluc run off in different directions, one to find Klee during the storm and the other to find the other person desperately searching for the missing spark knight. Diluc was running. His nice clothes were now soaked and muddy. Yet he still carried the potted flower with him as he headed towards the Dawn Winery lake. A few hydro slimes that were relishing in the rain suddenly saw Diluc running. He grabs his great sword and slashes the hydro slimes not wanting them to get in his way or to slow him down for even a second. While running downhill he accidentally slipped and was now skidding down the muddy hill. Still he caught himself with his sword so he avoided injury. He continued to rush towards the winery now seeing it up ahead. He rushed towards the winery jumping over the grape vines and stone wall to get there seconds sooner.
Dropping off the plant the maid goes to welcome him back but her employer soon leaves, heading for the lake right away without even stopping to glance at her. The maid Adelinde was surprised to see Diluc rushing so badly soaked to the bone and muddy yet racing in a different direction of his home. Adelinde looked at the direction he went "Master Diluc?! Please be careful! There are many Cryo, Electro, and Hydro slimes out there!" She wasn't sure if her voice managed to reach him but she didn't have the abilities to fight monsters like he did.
Diluc finally made it to the lake and he was searching desperately for Klee. "Klee". He first looked around the waterfall wondering if it would catch her attention. Not seeing anything he then looked in the opposite direction. Something did catch his attention. A number of slimes. He immediately panicked and started running towards the slimes hoping he would find Klee.
As he was running he saw an alarming number of slimes. Must have been 3 dozen slimes. However, none of those seem to have his attention. Standing on the island struggling to keep up with the onslaught of slimes was the little girl he had been searching for. It looked like the slimes were being blown away but upon a closer look Klee was missing some of her targets. She wobbles around while trying to fight.
Diluc was immediately concerned about jumping right into the water not caring how high the water was or how uncontrollable the environment was. He reached the island and rushed for the little girl sweeping her up into his arms. "Klee!" He held her. Klee looked up at him.
She looked just as soaked as he was and tired. "Mister Diluc?"
Taking his glove off he felt her forehead "You got a fever! I got to get you out of this rain."
Before he could do that he had trouble. The slimes go to full on tackle him. Diluc grabs his great sword and despite the heavy downpour of rain his sword ignites into a flame. "Time for - retribution!" He releases a powerful swing of his sword destroying half of the slimes surrounding him. His sword glowing with fire would then be used to quickly dispatch the remaining enemies not wanting them to chase him or injure him. He did all of this while holding Klee and keeping her close to him.
With the enemies defeated, Diluc took his coat off to wrap up Klee. He held Klee over his head as he braved through the waters once again to get back on land. Now across he headed back home trying to keep Klee as dry and as warm as possible keeping the coat over the little girl and holding her close hoping that would help.
Returning to the Dawn winery the maid Adelinde was there. She had a towel wondering if Diluc was coming back but she didn't expect to see him coming back with a child. Diluc walked in soaked to the bone. "Adelinde. Bring me a change of warm clothes for Klee and another towel for her. Get the cold medicine as well." He gave his orders and used the towel Adelinde brought for him for Klee to start drying the young girl off.
He walked into his bedroom where clean clothes were ready for him. Adelinde didn't have many clothes meant for children but she got him the towels and medicine he asked for. "Thank you." Diluc thanked her. Klee is too soaked. Adelinde changed Klee immediately. She can have my clothes. I'll get dressed in the other room and be right back. The clothes prepared for him were taken for Klee. Too big but they would do it for now.
Diluc quickly got dressed and went to Klee's side. She was placed on his bed to rest. "I'll take care of her. Thank you for changing her, Adelinde."
Adelinde nodded "Of course master Diluc. But what happened?" She didn't expect this at the end of her night. "Klee here was fish blasting but got caught up with slimes. I felt her forehead earlier and she seems to be sick. I'm going to stay by her side until she feels better." There was no question that he was going to care for her. He was solely focused on caring for Klee.
He lifted Klee's head and spoke to her. "Klee... are you awake. Its Diluc. You know the weird grownup." he held her with his arm around her like any father would for his daughter.
Klee's heavy eyes open. "Mister Diluc... Klee doesn't feel so good." She looked very sleepy. Still Diluc took it as a good sign that she can speak.
"It's alright. I have some medicine. Here take this." He goes to offer the medicine. Klee didn't look too happy. "Can... can I have Dodoco with me... Mister Albedo and Master Jean let Klee hold Dodoco when she takes icky medicine." Such a silly request but Diluc complied with her request.
He grabs the toy from her backpack and holds it out Dodoco for her. "Here's Dodoco. He wants you to take your medicine even if it's icky." He held the toy until she took it. With Dodoco in her hands she looked at Diluc and he gave her the medicine. "That was a good job. I'm sure Dodoco is happy that you took your medicine."
Klee smiled hearing that. "Can Klee have some water?" Diluc lets her lay down and he gets up.
He ran downstairs to the kitchen and poured a glass of water. He then quickly ran up the stairs to her. "Here Klee. I got your water." Taking the water, she drank some of it. When she finished Diluc took the glass to put it on the nightstand. "Why don't you get some rest. We can return to Mondstadt tomorrow when the rain passes." He looked more relieved seeing her have her medicine and drink her water.
"OK... nighty night mister Diluc." her eyes started to close and she quickly fell asleep. She may have a lot of energy but this was a pretty rough downpour for the spark knight.
Diluc sat by his bed listening to her breathing to make sure she was ok. He took a sigh of relief when he started to hear a loud banging at the main doors of the winery. He didn't expect to hear that so he jumped a bit from the sound. He didn't want the banging to wake Klee so he rushed down stairs and opened the door to find Jean. Soaked to the bone just as he was.
She was breathing heavily and looked up at Diluc. "K.... Klee...is.... is she here? Is.. she safe?"
The doors opened to let Jean in. Diluc raised a finger to his lips for her to be quiet as Klee was sleeping upstairs. "She's here. She's currently sleeping on my bed." He goes to escort her upstairs. He looked down seeing the flower pot he bought earlier. He took it to bring it inside as well. "She had a high temperature but she took some medicine and water and she is sleeping with Dodoco now."
Jean breathed a sigh of relief hearing that and she followed him inside. The two headed upstairs and entered Diluc's bedroom where Jean saw Klee sleeping peacefully. The little girl was holding her favorite toy, wearing Dilucs clothes and wrapped up in his comfortable sheets. While Jean walked to the bed Diluc put the flower on a desk and went to his closet to get Jean a pair of clothes for her to borrow.
The Acting Grand Master brushed Klee's hair with her fingers. She felt mostly dry showing that Diluc took the time to dry the girl off. She looked towards the dirty clothes and saw Diluc's clothes were even more soaked than her clothes and covered in mud. She smiled seeing Diluc show such concern for the young knight. Jean then felt a towel land on her head.
"You can dry yourself off and go ahead and put some of my clothes on. I don't want you to get sick like out little Klee." He should have expected Jean to come running here but he was focused on Klee and her health and safety. He goes to step outside of the room so Jean can get dressed. It was a rare sight seeing Diluc's compassionate side but here he was fully displaying it. She couldn’t help but smile at the considerate and compassionate man that saved their little Klee.
Jean could tell that he was just as concerned for Klee just as much as she was. She took her time to dry herself off and to get dressed into some of his clothes. His clothes were a bit too big for her but they were good enough for one night. When she finished getting dressed she went to the door to open it up. "Diluc." Jean whispers to him not wanting to wake Klee. "I'm finished changing. Thank you. About my wet clothes."
He walked in "Just leave them with mine. I'll clean them and give them to you when they're clean and dry.'' He closed the door so it was just Klee on the bed and Diluc and Jean by the doors across the room.
"Sorry you got wrapped up in this." Jean’s face showed how she felt bad for this looking downwards a bit. “If I was more on top of Klee maybe this wouldn’t have happened.”
"It's fine." He spoke calmly. "I'm just happy Klee is safe and resting." He went from facing her to looking at Klee. “So don’t act like this is your fault. You did what a normal mother would do and rush off to search for her.” It was odd comparing her to a mother despite her not having a child yet.
Jean couldn’t help but smile. There was a slight blush on her face. Perhaps from the compliment of being compared to a mother. “I am lucky though. You suddenly acting like a father to rush off to save and to protect Klee.”
This time it was Diluc’s turn to blush. Being compared to a father was… new to him. Perhaps because he was less used to this kind of protective nature than Jean was that he ended up blushing slightly more.
"Still thank you Diluc. I'll have to thank you in some way. Perhaps I can buy you a meal?" She offered hoping he would accept her invitation to dinner.
He laughs lightly, "That is if you give yourself enough time for us to enjoy a meal." He knew how hard Jean worked for Mondstadt. "But... Yes, that sounds nice. We can eat at the Cat's Tail and order your favorite pizza." Though Angel's Share was certainly the best bar in the city. Jean's preference for Cat's Tail wasn't due to the alcoholic beverages. But rather for the pizza that they serve.
This suggestion earned a light laugh from Jean, "If that's the case I'll have to make sure I get the finest grape juice in Mondstadt." Just as Diluc knew Jean's favorite, Jean in return knew Diluc's favorite.
The two protectors of Mondstadt smiled. Despite how they may have drifted apart due to their careers and how they plan to protect Mondstadt. Both still held the greatest form of respect, admiration, and trust in each other.
The two sat down against the door. Neither expects a chance to sleep in Diluc's bed tonight with Klee taking it for herself but they prefer knowing Klee is safe and warm then worry about a single night of sleep. Still after all of that running through the pouring rain, exhaustion and the need to rest was starting to catch up with them.
The Acting Grand Master spoke first "Still I'm so happy I ran into you. Who knows what would have happened if I didn't" She didn't want to think of the worst. As she was saying this her head was dipping slightly.
The owner the Dawn Winery responded quickly to this. "I wouldn't have rested knowing someone in Mondstadt was in danger. Especially a child." The same as the knight, the winery owner’s head was dipping too as his eyes were growing heavy.
Jean couldn't help but be relieved hearing that as her head started to rest on his shoulder. Diluc's head in return was resting on Jean's head. They watched Klee sleeping. The bed sheets slowly raise and fall as the young girl slept peacefully. She had nothing to fear as she was now safe, warm, and being cared for by Diluc and Jean.
As the two watched her they eventually drifted to sleep. It may not have been the most comfortable position or in a warm bed but the two fell had been running around so much in the heavy rain that sleep finally had a chance to catch up on them. Jean's head rested comfortably on Diluc's shoulder as if that was her pillow for the night. Meanwhile Diluc's head was on Jean's head using her hair as his pillow. With them against the door nobody was going to be able to open the doors to check on them so they went undisturbed overnight. And to them, more importantly Klee's sleep went undisturbed overnight.
In the morning the first to wake up was actually Klee. She stretched and let out a big yawn. She goes to grab the rest of her water to drink and after she finishes drinking the water she notices the pretty flower. “wow” Klee looked at the pretty flower with glee. “Such a pretty flower.”
Looking past the flower she then saw Jean and Diluc sleeping together against the door and against each other. “Master Jean and mister Diluc are sleeping Dodoco.” She shushes her best friend and then starts to crawl out of the bed, Klee thought they must have felt cold.
Grabbing a blanket from the bed she dragged it over to the knight and winery master. When she reached them she saw how the two were resting their heads on each other and saw the two of them holding hands as well. “Ohhh. They must really really love each other like how Klee loves Dodoco.”
Klee goes and sits on their laps and she pulls the blanket up to cover herself and to cover Diluc and Jean. The young girl now rested her head against the chest of Diluc and Jean to get a little more rest before officially waking up. Diluc and Jean somehow didn’t realize this little girl was joining them. Likely due to their sheer exhaustion. "Klee bets they cared for Klee. Klee feels so much better and she knows it's because Master Jean and Mister Diluc protected Klee. Klee must thank them when they’re awake.” She whispers this to Dodoco not wanting to wake Jean or Diluc up.
The three would rest peacefully like this. Klee would end up falling asleep completely again. This would leave her two guardians confused upon waking up.
Diluc started to wake up first with his eyes opening. He took a moment to take in his surroundings. First he saw that Klee was missing from his bed causing him to panic if for only a moment. He then noticed the girl resting on his and Jean’s laps. He took a breath to relax.
He took a moment to observe the situation. With Klee on their laps he couldn’t exactly get up but seeing the blanket it shows that Klee got up and brought a blanket over so the 3 can rest with a blanket. This brought a smile to Diluc’s face as it was such an adorable act. He then took this chance to look at Jean’s sleeping face on his shoulder. Seeing the overworked knight finally resting was reassuring. He knew better than anyone that she needed to rest more. Just wished he could have let her sleep on his bed instead of against the door.
However, while thinking of her and letting her rest he then finally noticed his left hand… he recognized the fact that he was now holding hands with Jean… He couldn’t bring himself to pull away and just decided to sit there quietly until the two girls woke up.
30 or so minutes passed by and Jean now started to wake up. Almost completely copying Diluc she looked towards the bed first and didn’t see Klee causing her to panic for only a moment until she felt the little girl snuggled up against her. She took a breath of relief and then noticed Diluc sitting next to her.
The two would have liked to talk things over but with Klee there neither wanted to risk it. Diluc however seemed to look a tad bit shy and looked the other way. Jean finally noticed their hands intertwined. She understood now Diluc’s embarrassed face. She quickly realized they grabbed each other’s hands in their sleep. However, since Diluc woke up first he could have pulled his hand away. The fact that he didn’t made Jean happy and she continued to hold his hand in return.
They would sit together like this for a while. Against a door hand in hand with a young child resting peacefully on their laps using their chests as pillows.
When Klee finally woke up she did a big stretch. “Klee feels so much better now after sleeping with Dodoco, master Jean and mister Diluc.”
Diluc and Jean smiled at her and they both said “That’s good. Morning Klee.”
Klee smiled at them “Good morning!” she jumped off their laps. She ran towards the flower nearly falling due to the very oversized clothes on her but caught herself. “Mister Diluc! This flower! It’s so pretty!” She took another chance to look at the flower.
Diluc smiled “That’s called Lamp Grass. It’s one of my favorites. If you like it, why don’t you keep it.”
Klee smiled at that “Really?! Thank you!”
Diluc smiled at the girl, happy now that he bought that flower. Jean however took this chance to smile at Diluc. The two adults took this chance to stand up and stretch. Even though they didn’t mind giving the bed to Klee they had to stretch a bit to deal with the stiffness of their sleeping arrangements for the night.
Jean spoke up after their morning stretches. “I supposed we should be going soon.”
Klee nodded. “Mister Diluc, will you walk back with us?” She ran to him.
Diluc smiled at the girl “Sure. We can get a nice breakfast in Mondstadt. After a storm like that I think we can all use a good breakfast. Let’s return to Mondstadt together.” Klee jumped happy hearing that Jean was happy as well hearing this suggestion as well. The three leave the bedroom and saw Diluc’s maid Adelinde.
The young maid spoke up “Good morning Master Diluc, Acting Grand Master Jean, and Spark Knight Klee. I have Klee’s clothes clean. Apologies I don’t have your clothes clean Acting Grand Master.” She presented Klee with the clothes so the young girl can go get dressed.
Jean waved her hand disregarding the fact that her clothes weren’t clean. “Worry not. I can just borrow Diluc’s for now.”
Diluc spoke up next “I’ll be escorting these two home. I’ll return later and then I can bring Jean’s clothes to her.”
Adelinde nodded “Understood master.”
With that the three go to leave the Dawn winery. Everything was damp but at least it wasn’t raining any longer. Diluc was carrying the Lamp Grass that Klee liked so much to bring it so Klee could keep it in her room.
Klee ran ahead not wanting to stay still but Jean called out to her. “Klee. Don’t go running ahead of us”
Klee ran back “Sorry master Jean.”
Jean and Diluc smiled at her. “It’s fine” Jean said to her. “Here hold my hand.” She offered her hand to the young girl.
Klee goes and grabs both the hands on Diluc and Jean. This caught the two by surprise at first but quickly accepted this. Diluc Jean and Klee walked together holding the young girl’s hands. Walking the dirt roads like a family. Diluc as the protective father. Jean as the caring mother. And of course Klee the treasured daughter. Diluc and Jean showed last night how far they are willing to go for their little Klee so she can keep the pep in her step. For this reason, the three walked together hand in hand.