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It wasn’t uncommon for you to see Diluc returning to Mondstadt in the dead of night. The sky was dark although the small bits of snow floating through the sky urged Mondstadters to stay home. Even the usual night owls stayed in the comforts of their own home. This was the peace of winter nights in Mondstadt. The white of snow blanketed over the roofs of homes, small icicles hanging from the eaves. When you saw Diluc returning to the tavern despite the snow, you threw on your coat and left your abode to greet him.
“Diluc!” You yell, struggling to catch up with him through the winter cold. Although the weather in the city was nothing like Dragonspine, citizens of Mondstadt were never really accustomed to the cold. The days in Mondstadt were typically warm and summer-like.
Hearing your voice call for his name, he stops and turns to find you. You catch up with him as he stands there, waiting for you.
“Did you just get back?” You ask. Diluc is always out somewhere, whether it be for business or…other matters.
Diluc nods, giving you a simple answer. “The Abyss is taking advantage of the cold.” Of course he was out taking care of the Abyss. You didn’t understand why he would go out practically every night to protect Mondstadt. Of course, it’s a good thing, but you worry for his own wellbeing at times.
“In this weather? You’re not even properly dressed.” He’s wearing his usual attire, which may keep him warm regularly, but definitely not in weather like this. A puff of smoke-like mist comes from your mouth as you exhale.
“You’re not wearing much yourself.” He replies. “Aren’t you cold?”
You were, indeed, cold. In fact, your hands turned more and more numb by the second. What were you thinking? Throwing on a coat and calling it a day? You sigh, another puff of mist coming from your mouth. “A little. It’s not super bad though. Anyways—”
Before you finish your sentence, Diluc cuts you off. “Here,” Diluc takes off his scarf and begins to wrap it around your neck. “You need this more than I do.” The scarf muffles your words slightly before you pull it down to speak clearly.
“No, I’m fine. Here.” You begin to unwrap the scarf from your neck before he grabs your arm to stop you. You look at him and he immediately pulls away. You’re met with a quiet ‘sorry’ from him as he looks away.
Now that his scarf is off, his face seems red. You can’t tell whether it’s the cold or something else. “Anyways, we should probably get out of this snow.” You finally say after a few seconds of silence. “You’re heading to the tavern right? I’ll join you.”
Diluc nods, and the two of you begin to walk toward the tavern in silence. A few minutes into the walk, your hands are frozen stiff. With no place to put your hands—since whoever designed this coat apparently forgot that coats should have pockets—your hand naturally migrated towards Diluc’s Pyro vision which emanates a soft warmth, desperately seeking any warmth whatsoever.
Diluc didn’t seem to be affected by the cold, which might be because of his time in Snezhnaya that made him accustomed to the cold, or it might be because of the vision that hung near his thigh.
Despite the numbness residing in your hand, you suddenly feel something soft brush against your knuckle. And again. This happens a few more times before you realize that it’s Diluc’s gloved hand that keeps coming in contact with your knuckle. It wasn’t particularly a long walk to Angel’s Share, but the thought of having to endure this cold made you shudder more than you already were.
Then, you realize. Diluc is wearing gloves, which should make his hands warm, right? Surely he wouldn’t mind if you hold his hands for just a few minutes. Without thinking more, you grab his hand. He flinches a bit as he turns his head to look at you. “…Excuse me.” You clear your throat, not letting go of his hand.
The two of you venture down Mondstadt’s empty streets to the tavern, hand in hand.
You were right. His hands were much warmer.