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Jean always worked long nights but her duties didn't end when she left the office. Before going back to her place, Jean checked on the patrols, just to ensure that her subordinates were doing their job. Hilichurl activity around the city was on the rise and there are whispers of a Fatui camp being spotted near Cape Oath. The Knights needed to stay vigilant in order to preserve peace in Mondstadt, making her stricter than she already was.
Tonight, however, she wasn't alone.
Jean knew she was being watched.
Standing on top of the city gate, she kept her gaze fixated on the guards below who were on high alert. Falling asleep on watch was a big violation to their duties and slacking off while their boss was watching leads to punishment. The Acting Grand Master was kind but she can be stern to those who were not upholding their knightly responsibilities.
Behind, her shadow was stepping closer, finally letting his presence known.
"Good evening, Sir." Jean stated, her voice level and steady.
"Out on patrol?" Diluc asked as he stepped out of the shadows.
"You could say that."
Diluc stopped at her side but didn't say anything else. He never was a talker, she knew and the silence that filled the air was somewhat comforting. When she was with him she never felt the need to fill in those wordless gaps with mindless conversation. It reminded her of the lazy afternoons spent with him at Windrise, back when they were young and the world much simpler. She'd be reading while he'd be resting his head on her lap just watching the clouds go by.
But that wasn't the reality they were in now.
After a while, Diluc said. "I knew the Knights are good for nothing but you shouldn't wear yourself out due to their inability to do their job properly."
Jean didn't even try to comment at that. There was no use defending the honor of the Knights of Favonious to Diluc. He already made up his mind when they refused to acknowledged his fathers sacrifice five years ago. Ever since he came back to Mondstadt, he wasn't shy in making his disdain known and this caused further strain to their already tense relationship.
Jean was not naive to think that they'd pick up where they left off. When Diluc told her he was leaving, he made it explicitly clear that he planned on abandoning everything behind. Including her. Losing the love of her life was devastating. It was a pain that she didn't know existed. A pain that made her raw and hallow. She was so young back then.
But on the other hand, his departure made Jean more sure of what she was born to do. "For Mondstadt, as always," as her mother said. Jean kept giving it all for her beloved city. Until eventually, Diluc was reduced to being an afterthought.
For five years Jean learned to live her life without him and just when she thought she had moved forward, Diluc came waltzing back to Mondstadt like nothing happened. He resumed his position as the Master of the Dawn Winery and worked nights on the Angel's Share. Admittedly, a small part of her waited for him to reach out to her but when he did, he was only asking for her help regarding the Stormterror incident.
Their adventures with the Traveler helped ease the tension between them, but their connection was still far from fixed.
"It's late, you should get some rest." Diluc said, breaking her out of her thoughts.
"Says the man who runs a winery at day and fights crime at night." She stated as she turned to look at him for the first time that evening.
Diluc's expression was unreadable but Jean knew him well enough too see just a hint of panic flash in his his eyes. She could almost hear the gears in his mind turning as he searched for the words to counter her accusation.
Finally, Diluc sighed in defeat. "Kaeya told you." He said.
Jean cant help but scoff at his answer. "The Dark Knight Hero. A claymore wielding Pyro-user who has an insatiable thirst for justice. I don't need Kaeya to tell me. It has Diluc Ragnvindr written all over it."
That made him smile which caused her eyes to land on his lips. Were they still as warm and soft as she remembered? An image of them kissing in the winery's vineyards came back to her - two curious teenagers with eager mouths and clumsy hands.
Jean shook her head to chase the memories away.
"I'll be expecting my arrest warrant in the morning." Diluc mused beside her, a hint of laughter in his voice.
"I'm not going to arrest you." Jean said with a roll of her eyes, the heaviness in the atmosphere completely dissipating. "You and I have the same goal and that is to preserve peace in Mondstadt." She hesitated before she added. "Plus, why would I lock up the person who makes my job easier?"
Diluc chuckled. "I'm glad I could help you then."
"You have my gratitude." Jean said smiling as an all-too familiar warmth starting to bloom from her chest. This lighthearted exchange was too reminiscent of how they used to be. Before becoming lovers, they were friends. Being born from Mondstadt's most prominent clans didnt allow them to have too many friends outside their circle. Her mother was especially strict with her, but hanging out with the Ragnvindr boys was something her mother didn't mind. Its good to have connections, she used to say.
Ever since she could remember, Diluc had always been there. Until he suddenly wasn't.
"I...should go." Jean said stepping away. "I'll see you around, Sir."
Diluc looked disappointed, all the light draining off from his demeanor. But as she was turning away, she heard him say.
"Have you eaten?"
Jean didnt know what to make of his question as she stared at him quizzically. What is with this display of concern all of a sudden? she thought. "Not yet, why?"
"I can ask Charles to whip up something for you at Angel's Share. If you'd like."
There's nothing else Jean would rather do than continue spending time with him. But whatever this was, she knew it will only lead to more disappointments and heartbreak. Both of them decided to walk on different roads, and it was too late to go back.
"Perhaps some other time." Jean answered curtly.
Diluc went rigid as his unexpressive mask slipped back on. "Then I bid you good night, Acting Grand Master."
It was as if their playful exchanged never happened and they were back to being two strangers who regarded each other civilly. Maybe this is all they'll ever be - stuck in an unsure limbo with no way out.
Jean gave him slight nod. "Good night, Sir."
With a heavy heart, she walked away, her chest growing tighter with every step. It took all of her strength not to look back until she was back at the small house she was renting near the town square.
That conversation was too close for comfort, and Jean was intent on forgetting it transpired. But something was telling her that this late night encounter with Diluc was just the beginning of a new chapter.