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It’s hard to find the strength to get out of bed, some days. You’ll lay there for minutes, hours, even, trying to convince yourself to rise. Sometimes you can’t do it, no matter how hard you try.
It should be easy, you tell yourself. It’s so easy. Just kick off the covers, roll over, and get up . But it’s never that simple, is it? Not for you, anyway.
Today is one of those days. You’d succeeded in the first two steps, and failed in the third. You’re not sure how long you’ve been stuck in bed staring at nothing, but the sun is bright behind the closed curtains when the bedroom door finally opens, hinges creaking. The dull thump of boots on hardwood reaches your ears, but after only a few steps, silence descends again over the room. You don’t bother lifting your head; it’s easy enough for you to guess who it is.
Diluc knows something is wrong—he knew the second he’d arrived back at the winery, well into the afternoon, and you were nowhere to be seen. Though, he certainly hadn’t expected to find you still in bed, curled in on yourself on your side with the covers discarded.
His concern only grows when you don’t acknowledge him in the slightest. He forces himself to move, softly calling your name as he rounds the bed. You twitch, your eyes flicking to his when he enters your line of sight. That’s good, Diluc notes. It means you’re conscious, at least.
“Hey.” he crouches beside you, brushing his knuckles against your cheek. “Are you alright?” You shrug, eyes slipping shut. Diluc frowns. “Have you been in bed all day?” You nod. “Have you eaten anything?” He’s sure he knows the answer already, yet Diluc still curses when you—hesitantly—shake your head.
He immediately regrets the outburst when you flinch and curl tighter around yourself. “ Shit ,” Diluc curses again. “Sorry, love, I’m sorry. Just—” He lets out a shaky sigh, trembling voice barely above a whisper. “Please tell me what’s wrong.”
Your eyes blink open. “... Hurts.”
This close, Diluc can see the pain swimming in your gaze. It makes his chest ache. “What hurts?”
“ Everything .” Your voice breaks, and you press your hands over your face, jerking as you finally cry. Diluc soothes a hand up to your shoulder, his jaw clenching.
You’re tired.
You’re so tired.
He needs to find someone who can help. He stands, drawing away from you. He needs to find a doctor, someone to tend to you; and he needs to find you something to eat, something to drink. He needs—
You halt his flurrying thoughts as you grip his sleeve. Diluc looks back at you, brows drawn. “Diluc,” you whimper. “ Please .”
You need him.
“Okay.” He intertwines his hand with yours, pulling you into his lap as he sits on the bed. “Okay.”
Diluc is safe. He is warm when he wraps himself around you, tucking your head into the crook of his neck as his fingers dance up and down your spine. He smells of wine, with a hint of smoke. His hair tickles the side of your face as you press up against him. Diluc is safe, and he is warm, and he loves you.
He loves you.
And so there, in your shared bed, surrounded by Diluc, you can forget your pain for a little while.