Work Text:
Jean Gunnhildr is a hard worker, someone who is dedicated at her job and never fails to reach a deadline or ever take a break. She never mixes her work life with her personal issues, and is considered as a role model for everyone.
She had a few friends from work that she would only discuss work related matters with. They’d try to get her to loosen up about herself a little more, but Jean is a woman of her word. Never trying to create a bridge between her work and her feelings.
Well, that’s what she said. But things are changing lately. Things change with time, it is inevitable. But she doesn’t want this to happen. Why must they change? Why can’t things just remain the way they were?
She considered her coworker, Diluc Ragvindr, a man of many mysteries. He rarely spoke of himself, and was an adequate worker. She respected his similar mindset of not wanting to bring his personal problems into his work.
They interacted during team projects, during similar work assignments, when they had a doubt or an issue in their work, often meeting during private lunches or dinners to interact in a calmer atmosphere. The normal relationship between two coworkers, as Jean described when her boss, Lisa, occasionally teased her about the man.
But what was a normal relationship between coworkers, what has that turned into? A sense of protectiveness, a sense of affection, a sense of what is described as love.
Jean shouldn’t be doing this. He’s her coworker. The past twenty six years of her life would go to naught if she even tried taking a step towards him.
Your work and personal life mix like oil and water.
Jean can’t help but retract back to her shell of old thoughts. They kept her safe. They gave her courage, and strength. They were the backbone of who she was.
“Hey, Jean, I wanted you to see this,” her deskmate, Kaeya, showed an article on his desktop. “It’s an article about human emotions.”
“What do I do with this information?” she asked. “Last time I remember, you still had the PowerPoint due from two days ago.”
“Come on, Jean, don’t be such a sourpuss!” he exclaimed. “Just take two minutes of your break to read it. I’ll go hang out with Albedo.”
Jean sighed, opening the tab on her desktop. She never understood Kaeya. She knew he was an eccentric man, a habitual slacker and a steady alcoholic. He was the epitome of unprofessionalism. Sure, he worked hard under pressure and is open to suggestions, but why must he be the way he is? He finds work fun. His work and personal life mix like they were meant to be mixed with each other.
He started dating the head researcher, Albedo, a year ago. Something Jean didn’t like about him, but secretly found very admirable about him. How can he be so carefree, not worrying of what could happen to their relationship in the future?
She stared at the still words on the screen, trying to make sense out of them. Her head was tired. She needed some coffee and a good nap, but she refused to not make use of her break time, instead choosing to complete work due in a month.
‘We, as humans, wish that the thoughts we once held would stay forever. It’s a mindset we create for ourselves. Do this, do that. That’s what’s acceptable for society. We lose our carefree selves in the rules set by us, and the rules set by the people around us.
Find yourself under the rubble. Don’t hide yourself forever. Our emotions that were once in the form of a small worm can now flourish into a butterfly, if we are willing to take a step outside the cocoon.’
“Take a step out of the cocoon, huh?” she murmured to herself. She found herself slightly relating to the article, but immediately shook the thoughts off her head. “No. Work first, Jean.”
“Um, Ms. Jean.” a voice called from the front of her desk.
“Yes, who is-?” she lifted her head, to see the familiar face she saw everyday. “Mr. Ragvindr. Please tell me what the issue is.”
“Please, just call me Diluc,” he reminded her again. He tells her everyday, but she would never listen. She didn’t want to be affectionate with his name. “I wanted to discuss this document with you. May I take a seat?”
“Please do,” she pointed towards Kaeya’s chair, and he took a seat.
“This… is Kaeya’s table, huh?” he stared at the many pictures of Albedo in front of him. “Seems very like him.”
“You’re right,” she smiled. “So what was the problem?”
As the conversation continued, their chairs moved closer and closer as they talked. At a point, they were so close, Jean could feel Diluc’s soft red hair, brushing against her cheek. He had leaned towards her more out of habit, and she could feel his breath on the nape of her neck.
She found this very risqué. But if nobody around her took notice, then maybe it is fine for him to be so close.
“Thanks for clarifying this for me, Jean,” the man thanked her after a while, a smile of relief on his face. “This was really tiring me out last night. I feel a lot more relaxed now.”
A moment of silence made Diluc realise his mistake. “Oh- I’m sorry, I meant Ms. Jean.”
But her face was already blushing red. This was very different from how Kaeya called her name, how Lisa would call her by her name sweetly to ask her how many times she’d kissed Diluc yet, angering her. But this was different. It felt more intimate, so natural, and a wave of nervousness and giddiness washed over her.
“I’m so sorry if that made you uncomfortable,” Diluc tried to sympathise with her, wondering if she really doesn’t like to be called by her name casually.
“N-No, its-” she tried to reason with him. “I don’t mind.”
“If that’s what you say…” he whispered, turning away. He too, couldn’t help but be embarrassed by what he had just done.
“Jean, I wanted your insight on how to do this presentation to our customers next week,” Diluc reappeared at her desk at the end of the day. He wasn’t used to calling her name that way, but tried to make it a habit. A moment of silence, of awkwardness, settled between them, before the woman chose to speak.
“Is it so? Please, go on.” Jean was kind enough to lend a helping hand for anyone who wished to be better at their work. But her legs felt sour, and her vision disturbed.
“It’s quite a lengthy topic, so can we discuss this over dinner? My treat, of course.”
“I can’t deny that, then. I’ll be there in ten minutes, after my shift ends.”
This could have been something they could have worked on if they took half an hour overtime, but Diluc was a gentleman. He didn’t want to force Jean to give more of all the time she’s spent on work just for him. A relaxing dinner would be nice. Maybe she could loosen up, release her stress for the day.
They met at the staircase of the office building, Diluc’s hair let down from the high ponytail he wears it in. Jean thought this hairstyle was quite unprofessional for work, but didn’t particularly dislike it, as she would be fascinated by how the soft curls of hair fell on his cheeks, and how-
Wait, now wasn’t the time for that.
“So, where are we going?” Jean asked, already clouded with fatigue. Diluc noticed this, and decided to help her feel more comfortable. “Let’s just sit in the coffee shop adjacent to our building. I heard they came out with a new assortments menu.”
They took their seats on the small wooden chairs, Diluc placing his laptop on the table. “The PowerPoint was supposed to be made by Kaeya, but someone decided to spend his entire weekend fooling around with Albedo and is now late for his deadline.”
“Ugh, talk about it,” she groaned. “I even told him to complete it during his break to get it to you as early as possible, but he decided to go hang out with Albedo instead.”
“I’ll give him a piece of my mind later- Oh. I just got an email from him.”
“Did he finally finish the presentation?” she asked.
“It reads, ‘Hey, Diluc. I know you’re super pissed at me for not doing my work but spending time with my loved ones, something you don’t do. Anyways, here’s the presentation. Have fun with-” he almost continued, but cleared his throat in embarrassment. “A second later and he would have got it from me.”
Jean couldn’t help but let out a small giggle at Diluc’s helpless expression.
“...What?” Diluc smiled at her, equally amused. “This is how Kaeya normally is, isn’t he?”
“I just found it funny on how you react to him,” she hid her expression, not wanting to be seen enjoying herself. “Anyways, we need to prepare the meeting notes. Can I get a look at the presentation?”
“I need to see it too,” he replied. “Sit beside me. It’ll be easier.”
‘This is just a regular meeting with a coworker. This is just a normal request. I shouldn’t be so nervous about this.’
“Sure.”
—
Time passed, the lights dim and the tables emptier than before. The pair were nearly done with the notes, and Jean felt increasingly fatigued, ordering her fifth cup of coffee for the night.
“Are you sure you should be drinking so many cups of coffee before sleeping, Jean?” Diluc asked her, concerned.
God, she just loved how he called her name like that.
“I’m just… a little tired. That is all. I don’t want to stall your work.”
He couldn’t let her work anymore.
“Let's wrap up for the night. I can drop you home, if you’d like.”
“No, no…” she whispered, her voice not able to speak louder. “I can go… Train…”
“The last train left ten minutes ago,” he held his hand out to lift her up, and she unconsciously placed her hand on his, her grip weak. He pulled her up, supporting her with his shoulder.
“I’ll drive you home.”
“You’re really…” she mumbled in his ear. “Persistent.”
Her voice was so close. His cheeks flushed red at her soft voice talking in his ear, and he helped her walk to his car, seating her at the passenger seat.
“What’s your address?” he asked. She removed her identity card in response, handing it to him. Her address was typed in small letters on it.
Once he began driving, Jean clutched at his shoulder in response to the sudden speed. He slowed down a bit, his hands shaking in embarrassment.
“Can you handle the notes on your own?” she asked, slumped over the seat. “We’re only done three-fourths of it.”
“I can do it myself. You must rest first, Jean.”
“I like how you call my name…”
“What?”
He almost halted the car in surprise, turning towards the woman whose eyes were half-lidded, drool formed at her lips. She didn’t seem to realise what she just said, and stared at the road in front of her.
Diluc felt a little selfish. He didn’t want anyone to see, or even know about Jean in such a helpless, relaxed state.
“Haah…” he sighed. “You really feel more human when you’re like this.”
“Hm?”
“It’s nothing. Please go to sleep, Jean. I’ll wake you up when we reach.”
“Hm…” she hummed, closing her eyes. “Y’know… you’re really too kind for your own good…”
The man remained silent, not being able to form a sentence from the compliments he was receiving from the stoic and firm Jean.
“...Diluc.”
He immediately brought the car to a halt, turning towards Jean who now seemed to be asleep. He took deep breaths, before beginning to drive again.
“You’re so unfair…” he whispered to himself, his face flushed.