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Diluc was closing up the tavern for the night when he heard the sound of a little girl crying. Wondering who it was coming from and if they were in distress, he headed towards the voice.
He could see a little girl sitting against a brick building, knees drawn to her chest with her face buried between them. Upon closer inspection, he realized it was Diona.
“Are you alright? What are you doing out here this late all on your own?”
The girl raised her head to see who was talking. The second she met eyes with the man, she groaned.
“Great, just who I wanted to see,” the girl said sarcastically, “Of course it had to be you to find me like this. Just my luck.”
She bowed her head so he couldn’t see her face clearly.
“Just go away, I have nothing to say to the likes of you.”
The man sighed.
“Did I do something wrong? It is concerning to see a young girl all on her own this late at night. Can I help you in any way?”
“No,” Diona said weakly.
“Well, I can’t let you stay out here in the dark alone. It’s not safe out here at night.”
Cautiously, the man walked closer and sat on the ground next to the girl.
“Why aren’t you at home sleeping?”
She sniffled before wiping under her eyes.
“I don’t want to go home.”
Diona took a breath to calm herself before continuing.
“Daddy has been drinking all day and night. I can’t get him to stop. He said he’d try to drink less for me but it’s only gotten worse. I just don’t know what to do anymore.”
Diluc didn’t want to make it seem like he was interrogating the girl but he also wanted to hear more to see if he could help in some way.
“Is he dangerous to be around when he is intoxicated? Are you ever afraid of him when he gets like that?”
Diona shook her head.
“Daddy is always good to me. He’d never hurt me. It’s just lately he’s been yelling a lot and he sometimes pounds on tables. I know he loves me like I love him but I don’t know what to do anymore.”
The girl started to tear up again.
“So you see, I can’t go home.”
Diluc nodded, showing his understanding. He has spent most of his life around drunken men and couldn’t blame the girl for acting the way she did.
He knew she had much experience with drunken men not treating her the way a young girl should be treated. It made sense why she hated men, especially Diluc as he owned a wine industry.
“It’s okay to be scared. You did the right thing leaving home but you still shouldn’t be out here in the middle of the night all by yourself.”
Diona’s head shot up to look at the man.
“You really think so? I’m worried daddy is going to get hurt. What if he needs me and I’m not there for him?”
The girl wiped a tear forming and Diluc gave a friendly smile.
“He can take care of himself. Just because you’re his daughter doesn’t mean you need to always take care of him. He’s the parent, not you.”
“I love my Daddy so much but his drinking is getting worse again and he can get mean when he drinks too much.”
Diluc’s eyes softened. ‘Poor girl’ he thought to himself.
“I am sorry you have to deal with that.”
The man sighed. He wasn’t that great with kids. They usually thought he was weird. Even the kind hearted Klee didn’t seem to like him.
The girl rolled her eyes.
“Oh don’t give me that look. I don’t need your pity. Besides, Daddy is great when he’s not drinking. He’ll apologize once he’s sober. I just know he will.”
Though it was obvious she loved her father, Diluc could tell she wasn’t so sure about getting an apology.
“It’s getting cold out here. How about we go inside?”
Diluc motioned towards the Angel’s Share door.
“There’s no way I’m going in that place. There’s booze in there and the last thing I want to see right now is alcohol.”
“Fair enough. How about we head back to my place? You can sleep in one of the guest beds. I don’t want you catching a cold out here.”
Though the last thing Diona wanted was to spend more time with him, Diluc was being nice and she was getting cold.
“Fine, but you better not try anything funny.”
“Of course not. Come on, let’s get going.”
Though Diona was used to the cold as she had a cryo vision, spending so much time outside at night was making her quite cold.
By the time they left town, Diona was shivering with her arms crossed.
“Here,” Diluc took off his jacket and handed it to her, “Take this. You’re freezing half to death.”
“That’s way too big for me you idiot.”
Diluc rolled the sleeves before handing it to her.
“You can ride on my back so you don’t trip. My body temperature is warmer than most anyways. Come on, it’ll take us forever to get there with you shaking like a leaf.”
The man knelt down, waiting for her to get on.
“Ugh, fine. But you better not tell anyone about this.”
Diona put the massive coat on, having to hold it by the sides so she wouldn’t trip on her way to the man.
Diluc was pretty strong so carrying a child on his back felt like nothing. If it weren’t for her occasional shuffling to get more comfortable, he would’ve almost forgotten he was carrying her.
The young girl was lightly breathing in his neck quietly as she slept. The girl nuzzled her head while wrapping her arms around him tighter as if she feared he’d leave.
She looked so at peace like that.
There was an occasional sniffling, probably a sign she caught a slight cold, but other than that she looked quite content.
Diluc carefully carried the girl to one of the guest beds and tucked her in.
“Diluc,” she said in a tired voice.
“Yes? Is there something you need from me?”
“Thank you.”
Diluc wasn’t one for feelings but the way she said that while tucked in a big bed made his heart swell. The girl had always hated him so hearing her thank him both surprised and made him happy.
“Of course, anytime you need somewhere to stay or someone to talk to feel free to come find me.”
Diona yawned, rubbing her tired eyes as she did so.
“Why did you help me?” Diona sat up, ”I’ve never been nice to you.”
“I know you’re a good person at heart. Besides, I’d be a monster if I just left you crying out there. Anyways,” he paused, “We can talk in the morning. It’s almost morning, get some sleep.”
Nodding, the girl took her hat and accessories off before laying back down. Diluc watched as she fell fast asleep within seconds.
‘Poor girl must be exhausted.’ Diluc thought to himself.
The man closed the door gently before heading off to bed.
Diluc hadn’t gotten any sleep that night. His mind was racing with thoughts of what Diona had told him about her and her dad.
He knew it was none of his business but the thought of Diona having to deal with her alcoholic father on her own was something he wouldn’t stand for. It was known that Draff had a drinking problem but Diluc had never thought about what it meant for his daughter.
She was still young. Children shouldn’t have to be caregivers for their parents. Diona deserved a male role model who wasn’t an alcoholic. Yes, she idolized him now but what would she think of her father if his alcoholism got worse?
There had to be something Diluc could do for her. Maybe take care of her when her father can't. She doesn’t like getting help from others though. Maybe just being an adult figure she could turn to would be enough.
Pacing about his room, he hadn’t realized just how much time had passed until he heard some of his employees walking about the hallways, making preparations for breakfast.
He decided to get ready for the day as it was obvious at this point he’d be getting no sleep.
Once he was done, Diluc headed down to the main floor to see breakfast was out. There was already a glass of grape juice out for him as well as a light meal.
The man grabbed the novel he had been in the middle of before sitting at the head of the table and eating.
It wasn’t long before he heard light footsteps upstairs, signaling that his guest was awake. Diluc watched as Diona stretched before walking down the stairs. She looked utterly exhausted.
“Good morning, Diona.”
The girl yawned, rubbing her eyes as she did so.
“Good morning,” she responded in a groggy voice.
“There’s plenty of food out on the table. Don’t worry about your father. I had one of my workers check and let him know where you were.”
The girl sat in the chair to the right of Diluc and ate the fish that Diluc requested be made for her.
“You drink grape juice?”
“It is my preferred drink of choice.”
“I thought you drank wine.”
“I hate the taste of wine. I only drink grape juice.”
“What are you a kid? Whatever, at least you aren’t some drunken man like the ones at work.”
“I may own a winery but that doesn’t mean I enjoy wine.”
Diona nodded her head in understanding.
“That’s true. Whatever the reason may be, I still hate you for supplying wine to people like Daddy.”
“Fair enough,” Diluc said as he drank his grape juice.
Once Diona finished eating the fish, she looked at the man sitting left of her.
“So, you live here all by yourself? Where’s your family?”
Diluc cleared his throat. He wasn’t expecting such a deep question this early in the morning.
“Um,” Diluc paused, “I’m not very close with my brother. It’s complicated.”
Diona furrowed her brows but didn’t question it.
“Don’t you get lonely?”
“I quite like my alone time. Also, I have my employees to talk to so it’s not like I’m always by myself.”
“Your employees don’t count.”
“Be that as it may, I still have all the people I know in Mondstadt. Living alone is quite enjoyable for me.”
“Fine, I’ll believe you.”
Diluc smiled slightly, “Thank you.”
The man paused before continuing.
“Just so you’re aware there is no rush for you to leave. Feel free to stay as long as you’d like. If you need anything, just let me or any of my employees know.”
Diona looked around the place, realizing just how fancy it was. She had been asleep when they arrived and hadn’t remembered what the inside looked like as she hadn’t been there for awhile.
“This place is fancy.”
Diluc nodded, “Thank you.”
Diona took a sip of the grape juice in front of her before speaking.
“Would it be alright if I visited again?” Diona blushed, “I mean I still don’t like you but I’d feel bad knowing you’re such a lonely loser when you’re home.”
“That would be great, thank you.”
Diluc took a moment to think about what he wanted to say next.
“If your father ever acts out while he’s intoxicated or you feel lonely I want you to come to me immediately. I will most likely be at Angel’s Share or here. Either way, you are always welcomed. Feel free to come here even if I’m not around. My employees will take care of you and let me know you’re here.”
Diona blushed, “Thank you. I promise Daddy does love me. It’s just sometimes I don’t want to be around him when he gets really drunk.”
“That’s understandable,” Diluc responded, nodding his head as he did so.
“Say, Diluc?”
“Yes?”
“Can we be friends?”
The man tried not to smile too much. ‘She’s such a good kid.’ Diluc thought to himself.
“Absolutely, I’d love to be friends with you.”
“Okay, it’s a deal then.”
Diona held out her hand and the two shook on it.
“Alright, so we’re friends now. Archons, I never thought I’d be friends with you of all people but I guess life is sometimes weird like that.”
Diona would go on to find Diluc whenever she felt alone or didn’t want to be around her drunken father. Whether it be while he worked at Angel’s Share or at home, the two grew to be quite close. They’d check up on one another and Diluc would treat the girl to grape juice.