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“Mmh.” Lazily, I stretch my limbs. The bed is too comfortable to leave. So, I decide I can stay 5 more minutes…which is probably going to be longer. Has my mattress always been this soft? I wonder idly, but the thought is soon forgotten as I’m way too tired to give the difference much attention.
“Just a little longer, Misha.” I feel my cat resting on my chest, but when did she get so heavy? I almost can’t breathe—so I reach out to gently push her away. Yet, as soon as my hands come into contact with her, I freeze.
That isn’t fur. Or at least, Misha’s has never been this fluffy and long! Startled awake, I open my eyes to a fiery mop of red hair.
And I know exactly where I am. Although I’d never been to this place specifically, I’d recognize the architecture anytime since I’ve been overanalyzing the Dawn Winery for way too much time. So, yes! I was nowhere else but in my favorite place from a game that’s become more part of my life than reality ever could.
Holy Mother! I hold back a scream. No way this is real. But this can’t be a dream either and I doubt that I died…I hope not at least, so for now, I can rule the afterlife out, too—which means there’s only one possibility…. I’M STUCK IN A FANFIC?! Ok, that’s also not very helpful right now. I’m having a major breakdown. I will die. I’m sure of it. I’m going to faint and die and my family will never find me here…..AHHHHHHH! (I mean who’d search for their daughter in a fanfic, really?)
(I will settle the matter later with you, author! Just wait for me to get out of here….although I’m not sure I really want that….oh oh…)
But back to the matter at hand—my undoing—internal screaming: HOW THE HELL DID I END UP WITH DILUC RAGNVINDR SLEEPING ON MY CHEST?! I mean shouldn’t I have at least some background knowledge?! Author don’t be so lazy! You can’t possibly give me amnesia, right?
Silence.
Argh. I guess you can. So petty. Y’know, you could at least have some decency and talk to me.
More silence.
No? Fine! You’ll regret this! Or not… Whatever. There is a much more important task at hand, anyway.
This settled I pat the fluffy locks with a trembling hand. Oh, they feel so much better than I ever could have imagined. I’m very careful and gentle as I don’t want to wake the man up. A low rumble tells me Diluc seems to like it or so I hope.
“Don’t stop.” His husky morning voice set’s my skin aflame. Suddenly, his hand covers mine, and then he looks up at me. Criminal: no one should see his face like this. Ok, I will die now—from a heart attack.
“Slept well, my pretty bird?” He takes my hand towards his lips and presses the sweetest kiss to the back of my hand.
Instead of an answer, I suppose I’m just smiling like an idiot at him. At this point, I sincerely have no brain cells left to process anything at all.
Narrator.exe stopped working.
End of the fan fiction.
Like really. Stop reading now. Then maybe I can go back. No matter how tempting it is to stay here…
Not listening, are you? Go figures, I knew I’d be unable to convince you but it was worth a try, no?
Sudden white noise fills my ears. (The protagonist is kidding, please ignore my friend—she doesn’t know what she’s saying. I hope you continue to enjoy this crack- err story *cough* *cough*)
Wha-? I heard some static inference….was it the author?! Gods, I wish the readers could talk back to me—that would make this fair…
“You with me?”
Dazzled, I look into vermillion-colored eyes. Oh, I’m being burnt alive…But wait. Diluc was talking to me! And I’m spacing out! Well, that was a given…with how crazy I am about him…
I try to nod but then shake my head since I actually haven’t paid attention. Ah, this is so silly and awkward!! Help. My poor heart can’t take this. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
“Diluc…” his name comes effortlessly out of my mouth (and oh wonder, I can actually understand his language…thank Go—author? Ugh…) “I…know you but…how…?” do you know me—if you do at all. The question is lodged in my throat.
For the fraction of a second, a shadow flies over the perfect features that compose Diluc’s handsome face. My heart squeezes painfully at the sight.
“Oh…again. I guess you have no recollection of the past few days, then?”
Amnesia?! Author—I expected too much from you… I roll my eyes internally but maintain a perplexed look on the outside.
“Don’t worry. You’ll remember eventually… There was this ley line blossom, you know.”
“Ohhh…” Understanding dawned on me. An irregularity? How cliché…. This author really…oh, well never mind her.
“So we thought, maybe—” Whatever Diluc wanted to say was drowned by the sound of a loud grumble…I was starving. “Haha, I guess it can wait.” Amused Diluc lips quirk up.
I’m sure my face is redder than his hair. I groan and hide my shame behind my hands.
“Cute.” The voice is too close! I take a peak—a mistake. We’re nose to nose. Gently, he nudges my hands away and gives me a light peck on…on…o-on my m-mouth! Shit! How many times does he intend to kill me? Oh, no….by the looks of that face… the count will be endless. At least, I have more life than cats, apparently.
“Let’s bake a cake.” As if it was the most natural thing to do after waking up.
“Huh?” Would Diluc seriously suggest something like this?! Apparently, yes.
Soon we find ourselves in the kitchen. (By the way: we’re properly dressed—I can’t recall when I got the chance to change clothes but yeah…).
Something fluffy rubs along my ankles. I don’t even need to look down to know what or better who it is. But I do it anyway. Deceptive innocent-looking eyes peer up at me.
“Meow~” Misha greets me.
“Awww! How did you end up here?” I half-wonder. Picking her up, my cat climbs quickly onto my shoulder purring affectionately into my ear.
“Hahaha. Your cat is a bit like my falcon, hm? Perched like that—she must like you a lot.” After a thoughtful pause, Diluc’s stare almost burning me up, he adds with a smirk, “I can tell why.”
(Author will you please stop?! Are you not worried he’s too OOC like this?! …Although, Diluc actually might be able to say something like this...AHHHHHH I CAN’T—).
As always Diluc saves me from my hysteric musings. He rolls up his sleeves showing off (not on purpose, mind you) his perfectly toned muscles. Ah, who would have thought I wish I could trade places with one of those sleeves… It is then that I notice, Diluc is wearing a completely different attire from his usual style. He’s dressed in a white chef’s uniform. A red scarf draped over his shoulders ending in a bunny knot in front of his chest. A black apron hugs his hips tightly. Simply perfect. This man could wear a potato sack and still manage to look drop-dead gorgeous—no doubt.
Tugging at his hair tie, Diluc undoes his ponytail, red hair cascading down like a waterfall lit on fire. He holds the tie towards me and smiles.
“Could you help me a little with my hair?”
I just nod too awestruck and I don’t trust my voice to not squeak. (Who in their right mind could say no to him???). Taking the tie from him, Diluc settles into a nearby chair. Sensing my distress, Misha starts to knead my shoulder a bit as if to reassure me. Thanking my cat for her emotional support, I pat her gently on the head.
“Oh, how could I forget?” Diluc chuckles.
Before I can ask what’s the matter, a brush materializes out of thin air into his hand and he hands the item over to me.
Now equipped with everything necessary to undertake the utmost challenging mission I start my work of taming the indomitable mane of red. I run the brush along waves and waves of beautiful locks and fight the urge to just bury my hands in it. Oh, but how do I wish to discard the brush entirely, only to rake my fingers through his soft and fluffy hair. Diluc hums pleased—I could listen to him all day. When I deem the hair sufficiently disentangled, freed of knots I gather all of it up, winding the tie around and secure it in a high ponytail.
“Done,” I exclaim a little mournfully; my fingers already missing the feel of Diluc’s gorgeous hair.
“Thank you,” Diluc turns to me beaming. My heart almost jumps out of my chest.
I give a small smile in return, as Diluc stands up and with confident steps, he walks around the kitchen fetching everything necessary to make a cake. I stare in wonder at how well he manages himself in the kitchen. Silly me. Of course, this would be child’s play for him. Not for nothing is he unmatched in every aspect, after all.
“Oh, but where are my manners? Please sit down and have some grapes while I prepare everything. Or do you prefer grape juice…but I have apple cider as well if that is more to your liking.”
“Eh, grape juice is fine!” I say quickly. (God, why is he so cute? I want to squeeze him. Help.)
“Enjoy.” He serves me the drink and I nod in thanks accepting it. (No, I’m not blushing. I. AM. NOT).
After finishing my juice, I try to offer Diluc my help, but he refuses, insisting that he only needs my company. Resigned, I scratch my cat behind her ears, while trying and failing at not ogling too much in Diluc’s direction. I wish I had something to calm myself down a little with… Not that Misha isn’t helping with that but only having Diluc to stare at can’t be good for my poor heart in the long run.
Suddenly, my eyes drift to a small table close to where I’m seated. And oh joy! There are some white papers and even a variety of colored pencils begging to be used. Just what I needed. Quickly, I move closer to the desk and start to sketch immediately. I know exactly what I’m going to draw or better said who… Now, I actually have a good excuse to focus on the handsome man working in the kitchen.
It’s not every day you get to draw your game crush in the flesh after all. My hands almost move on their own accord, so used are they to drawing Diluc already, but this time is still different. You simply can’t compare the beauty of a living, breathing Diluc to the in-game one. Perfect beyond words really. No description would do him justice.
“Impressive. Looks even better than the original one, hm?”
“What? …No.” Startled, I look up only to meet a blazing pair of crimson eyes.
“Well, the cake is done.” He puts a plate with a slice of cake garnished with strawberries on the table in front of me. It looks and smells delicious, but the only thing I want to eat up is that dazzling smile of Diluc’s. He picks a silver fork next to the plate.
“Here try it,” Expectantly, he holds the fork with a piece of cake before me.
I open my mouth in surprise or protest (I can’t tell since my mind is in chaos). However, Diluc uses the opportunity to feed me.
“Happy birthday!” He looks at me with so much fondness my heart aches.
“I wished I could give you more…my constellations…an endless supply of Mora and Primogems…but I fear this has to suffice.” Frustration marred his features.
For whatever reason I’m not even surprised, Diluc somehow knows he’s from a game, I want to shake my head and say this is already a lot more than I could have asked for but somehow I can only keep on listening.
“I hope you take care of us from now too as well as you up until now. We—I’m counting on you…”
I snap my eyes open.
Confused, I register my surroundings. My room. My bed. My world.
Oh… a dream, huh?
Unsure whether to feel upset it wasn't real or just cringe at the cheesy content, I sit up. Well, since it isn’t a fanfic, I’ve got no one to blame for…dreams are always unreasonable and out of control anyway.
It’s still early so I decide to sleep a little more. As I turn to the side to lie down, my hands come into contact with a paper. It can’t be…
Quickly, I pick up my phone from my nightstand and turn the flashlight on.
It’s the drawing from my dream...
