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“Diluc?”
Jean yawned as she sat up on their bed, turning to see if it was just her imagination that he’d never gone to sleep after his duties as the Darknight Hero. The redhead was indeed missing, much to her dismay, but she knew he had good reason for his absence.
She checked the clock. Nine-thirty. On Saturdays, she liked to be in by ten. As soon as she got to her feet, Diluc slid into the room and urged her to sit back down again.
“Give me one moment. No leaving,” Was the only two sentences he offered before disappearing out of the room again, causing the blonde to playfully roll her eyes. It wasn’t her fault he’d missed out on cuddling her in bed, and she certainly didn’t have the time to cuddle without being late to work in the process. At the very least, she would sit back down to hear what he had to say.
Suddenly, the winery tycoon entered the room again, holding a plate of assorted breakfast foods on a lap tray. “Good morning,” he greeted with a smile, setting it down on her lap. It was certainly more luxurious than she was used to, and she was flattered her husband had gone through so much work for her, but she glanced at the clock again.
“Diluc, you know I-“
“You aren’t going in today. Your captains agreed to handle things for a much needed day off. You may refuse to admit it, but you’ve been very stressed as of late. You need a break,” he insisted, sitting down next to her. He may have been the first one to relent in many of their arguments- primarily because it was a losing battle with someone just as stubborn as him- but when it came to her mental health, there was no negotiation.
The blonde knew very well that despite how many papers, duties, or other responsibilities she tried to use to get him to let her go into work, he would always have a counter argument. Even before they were married, they had each other perfectly figured out. It only made sense that their marriage ran so smoothly with how well they understood each other- even if it did frustrate her from time to time.
Every component of the meal was immaculate, so much so that as Jean chewed, she couldn’t help but giggle to herself and cover her mouth as he eyed her, wondering what amused her.
“Are you sure you made all of this yourself?” she teased, using her napkin to wipe her mouth as he scoffed.
“Do you doubt my ability to cook?” He sat down beside her, and his (admittedly adorable) thinking expression told her he couldn’t decide whether she was joking or whether his cooking was simply so phenomenal that she didn’t believe him.
“What, someone as rich as you couldn’t buy me the most lavish of meals?” she challenged, moving the tray aside so she could lean into his chest. She adored the rhythmic sound of his heartbeat when he held her in the mornings, never unnecessarily fast like it typically was after battle, always a slower, calmer tempo. It was relaxed, tranquil, and above all, content. Sometimes it made her forget the hardships of their past along with the kisses he laid on her head, the way he lovingly twirled her hair around his finger, and with the other hand, gently caressed the back of her wrist.
“I could,” he argued, pulling her back with him before he shifted to rest his head more comfortably on his pillow. Her heart lurched at the sudden move, but she laughed when she reminded herself it was just him and snuggled into him further. He smelled sweet, like he’d been out earlier that morning picking grapes, but she shelved the thought and assumed it was just her imagination. After all, aside from the scent of the fruit, there was no sweat or grease in his hair, so it seemed unlikely that he would’ve been out.
She nuzzled her face into his shirt, closing her eyes. “I couldn’t sleep the same without you.” One of the positives of his absence was that she wasn’t burning hot in the middle of summer, but that didn’t mean she didn’t want his cuddles or for him to still be by her side.
“Did you at least get some rest?” he pressed, and she felt his fingers brushing her bangs away from her forehead as they cuddled.
“I did- I promise- but it just wasn’t the same without you.”
She masked it well, but it had been one of the few days she’d gotten a nightmare, fearing he’d left again. She knew better than to listen to such silly thoughts when she knew for herself that he wasn’t going anywhere- they were married, they had their own quaint home, and his embrace promised that he was never going anywhere. She trusted that, deeply and truly, but it didn’t mean she couldn’t be tricked in her own dreams into believing he was gone.
“I’m here now,” he assured, and she was sure he only spoke those few words because he was aware of her clinginess typically being a result of panic.
She calmed, though she couldn’t stop herself from flushing when he kissed her forehead. His affection always improved her mood, and she loved him dearly for how far he’d come after losing his father.
“Good. I missed spending the night with my husband.”
“I know. I just needed to be certain you weren’t heading anywhere after the week you’ve had. You deserve some time to yourself.” Diluc lifted her hand to his lips and kissed each knuckle individually. It was nearly impossible for her to tell if it was because he was trying to be alluring or if it was because he was exhausted and therefore somewhat incoherent. It was far from out of the ordinary for him to be running on few hours of sleep (much like her), but to be running on none wasn’t healthy for either of them.
“Your week hasn’t been much easier. If it had, you wouldn’t be so tired yourself, my love.” She gently tugged her hand away from his so she could stroke his cheek, hopeful that he’d fall asleep soon enough and wouldn’t protest any longer.
“It could never compare to the amount of stress you put yourself through,” he mumbled, wrapping both arms around her waist and holding her closer.
She didn’t reply for quite a bit, not because she didn’t want to, but because she needed to gather her thoughts and figure out what she wanted to even say.
“You mustn’t always downplay your own health for me,” she finally said, unable to count how many times he’d put his own feelings aside for her. Sometimes, it made her guilty to think of how little he valued himself, but she promised herself she would make up for his lack of self worth in caring for him. “It’s okay to feel the same as I do, Diluc. I’m never going to be upset with you because ‘our stress doesn’t compare.’ Don’t you hear how ridiculous that sounds?” She opened an eye to look up at him, but he looked distracted to pay her much mind.
“Mm,” he responded noncommittally, and she sighed as she rested her forehead against his collarbone. Perhaps he was denying it, or perhaps he was just too tired to really pay attention to what she was saying; they were extremely comfortable, in all fairness.
“I love you, Diluc. Thank you for all you do for me,” she murmured after a few minutes, but when she didn’t get a response, she wasn’t all too surprised. He was already dozed off, and although it would likely take a few hours for him to wake back up, she didn’t move.
Thump. Thump. She listened to his heartbeat again and breathed out slowly, at ease with the reassurance that he was okay.
Soon enough, she guessed, she would be asleep in his arms as usual.