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It was a late night at Angel's Share, there was only few costumers left, finishing up their drinks or sleeping peacefully, burrying their faces in their crossed arms on top of the tables. Diluc went to every one of them, waking them up and politely asking to leave since they were closing. He then took a rag, to clean up the tables from all the spilled drinks. As he cleaned, he noticed a seed of a dendalion. It imidietly reminded him of someone he knew for a long time.
"She always loved dendalions.." he thought to himself as he kept wiping the wooden furniture.
She'd make a wish and close her eyes, hoping that she'll be able to blow all seeds away with one breath. She always did that, sometimes handing another dendalion to Diluc, encouraging him to do the same.
"Make a wish Diluc!" she smiled as her blond hair waved in the soft breeze.
"You can't honestly believe this works, can you?" Diluc smiled at her serious attitude.
"I believe that wind takes some of the seeds, so far away, it reaches Barbatos.. He then takes and plants them and after some time, a new dandalion grows.. He then creates a breeze which blows some of the seeds away and that is when your wish comes true." she said looking at the sky above them, moving her hands, showing Diluc the said path of the dendalion seeds.
They were taking a break from training, laying together on the grass under an oak tree. Diluc looked at his friend as she closed her eyes, blowing the dendalions seeds, which were carried away by the soft wind.
"Now it's your turn!" she smiled.
"I wish for her to be happy.." thought Diluc as he closed his eyes, blowing on the flower.
Back to reality, he was cleaning empty glasses. While doing so he saw a small scar he had on his hand which caused more momories to cross his mind.
"How could you be so careless?!" her voice filled with concern as she patched up Diluc's wounds.
"I'm sorry.." Diluc apologized, slightly hissing as she cleaned his shoulder and palm.
"Don't be.. just- I told you not to get involved this time, didn't I? You can't just choose when to fight." she scold him.
Even though she was mad, her voice was still so warm and sweet. She was so lovely, always making sure he doesn't hurt himself too badly and if he did, she'd always be there to help him out and give him a lecture on how careless and brave he is.
"Thank you.." said Diluc as a shy smile crossed his face.
"What would you do without me, Diluc?" she asked, giving him a peck on the cheek which caused him to blush, which hopefully his love didn't notice.
"Hope she didn't notice.." he thought to himself as he put the chairs on the tables so he could wipe the floor. Diluc grabbed a broom and started to clean. He turned around once and twice, making little knocks with each step, remembering as him and her would dance.
Her swirrling as he held her gloved hand. Music being played in the backround as Diluc hummed to it. She was smiling, she looked so happy.. She looked so beautiful, dancing like noone was around, which it wasn't. It was just them, two teens having fun, dancing and laughing as she stumbled on her feet. He almost got the courage to ask her that one important question.
"Could I ask you something?" asked nervously Diluc, not stopping to sway around the room with her.
"Ofcourse, what is it? Something important? You, somehow, look more serious than usual, which is hard to beat." she chuckeled.
"Yes.. It's important." he said grabbing her hand more firmly, stopping them both from dancing.
"Well.. what is it Diluc?" she asked, her ocean eyes looking into his with curiousity.
"Would you like.." he started slightly hasitant as she tilted her head awaiting the end of the question. "...me to teach you how to dance? You're doing horribly." he laughed playing off his failed attempt.
She laughed at his words, unaware of what he actualy wanted to ask.
"Hey! I only stepped on your foot twice!" she said shoving him playfully.
"You're adorable.." he thought as he looked at her bright smile. Brighter than the sun, prettier than any sunset, any sunrise.
He should've asked her out that day. He should've got the courage. He should've-
"Hello Master Diluc.." a shy voice snapped him out of his nostalgia as someone walked through the door.
"Greetings." he said as he turned around.
It was her.
"We're closed." he said blunt as always. "But.. you are welcome to come in." he continued.
"I'm sorry for coming in here so late but I really wanted to talk to you." She smiled warmly as always.
She came closer, each step making a little thump on the wooden floor since she wore heels. She came close, she stood infront of the bar as Diluc stood behind it, arranging some bottles.
He noticed her purplish eyebags, her hair was a little messy, he guessed she spend the whole day in her office, as always.
"Oh? What did you want to talk about?" he asked as if he wasn't thinking only about her for the past fourty minutes.
"Well, isn't it obvious?" she asked before a giggle escaped her dry lips.
Diluc look at her confused. Obvious?
"Ofcourse.." she sighed as her eyes shifted to the floor.
She looked somewhat dissapointed.
"Did you um, get any letters recently?" she asked with hope.
"No, I don't remember getting any mail." he said "What is it about?" his voice now concerned just enough that she, who knew him for so long, could tell he was curious about what she meant.
"N-nothing I um.. remember when we were in the knights together?" she asked tucking her blond hair behind her ear.
"Yes." he answered wondering why might she be mentioning it.
"Well.. it was a really nice time, I.. had a lot of fun with you two, by that I mean you and Kaeya." she started as Diluc still worked on cleaning something.
"It was magical at some point even. I.. I know it may come across as obvious, counting the way I used to act and speak but.. I might have developed a tiny crush over time." she said as pink tainted her pale cheeks.
She did have a crush? On him? Why mention this now? Don't get it wrong, he was delighted by it, maybe this is the perfect time to confess, a chance to say what he was always scared to.
"Do continue.." he said with a barely noticible smile across his face.
"Well.. we did spend awful lot time together. We both liked the same stuff and had lot's of things to talk about and dwell on. Really I think it's kinda hard not to fall for someone like this." she smiled, "Someone who listens, comforts but aside from all serious topics can and still is charming and funny in his own way." she continued giving Diluc more hope with every word she said using her perfect, soft voice.
"Soon, after time, my itsi bitsy crush might've.. grown." she said now with a more serious tone, as her ears grew red, complementing her cheeks. "It developed into something more intense and harder to hide over years. I was sure it would go away if I payed it no mind but even as I worked it's all I could think about."
"I-" started Diluc, trying to make it easier and confess first.
"No, Master Diluc, please.. please let me finish!" she yelped looking him in the eye.
"Go on then." he said trying not to get lost in her diamond eyes.
"After some time I decided that I couldn't just let it be and I had to do something about it! I kept it a secret for longer than I wanted to and! I think it's time I tell you! Just please, do have in regard my feelings, I understand you may not like what you hear, but please let me be honest with you." she said as she slowly took off her glove, getting even closer to Diluc.
This is it. Finally. Now that she's about to confess, he can die peacefully. No wait- he can't, he needs to live his dream! Because she loves him. Jean loves him. Now they can finally-
"Meet future miss Alberich!" she squeked showing him a beautiful, silver ring, with a diamon, blue as the sky, in the middle.
Maybe the story about dendalions she told him was true? Maybe enough time has passed to make Diluc's wish come true? Did it even matter at this point?
All he could think about was her smile. That it was as bright as the night they spend dancing together, her voice as warm and sweet. Only thing that changed was the amout of heartache it caused him to know she isn't, and now could never be, his.