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The first time you met Master Diluc you were at the bottom of the Dawn Winery's staircase.
Amongst horrified gasps and agitated sighs from your family, you raised your head mortified, your dress sprawled out beneath you, your arms shaking from your failed attempt to catch your fall as you tumbled down the steps, one by one.
Your knee hurts, you want to cry.
Pathetically you met your Fathers gaze seconds before he shook his head and turned away, disappointment oozing from his stern figure.
You almost whimpered, almost begged for him to help you, to just hold you, hide you from the shame permeating from your face.
His eyes left you cold to your core, eyes burning with fiery tears and bottom lip shaking.
You were only fourteen years old, and you were about to cry your eyes out in front everyone in the Dawn Winery.
You bit your lip, the thick metallic taste reminding you of the shame you were bringing to your family's name, you couldn't even walk down the stairs without making a spectacle of yourself.
Now your family was going to lose their deal with the winery and it was all your fault.
It was so important, and you had ruined it.
You had been warned, your Mother pinching the lobe of your ear until it matched the colour of her ruby ring, she whispered harshly, her voice low with menace, and later when you looked into the mirror you weren't surprised to see an ugly bruise beginning to form.
Your leg was probably going to bruise too.
Shrinking in on yourself. you tried to raise yourself to your feet, plastering on a fake, ugly smile that clashed with the redness of your wet eyes.
You bowed your head slightly and whispered a weak apology to nobody, pushing your body up with your shivering arms when you felt a hand touch your shoulder, guiding your ascent.
You whipped your head around to look at your saviour, capturing red eyes that were looking at you with a kindness that caused your eyes to narrow, uncertain of the extension of care.
A cheeky grin stretched his lips, his cheeks glowing rose in effect as he gently teased you. "You didn't see the stairs?" His tone was light, filled with life.
You blinked at him, your eyes searching him for genuine exasperation, a giggle bubbling from your raspy throat, before accepting his hand and getting up.
Neither of you mentioned how tightly you held onto him.
“Thank you Master Diluc." You clumsily replied, "Sorry for the commotion.” You patted down your dress, brushing out the wrinkles that seemed determined to prolong your embarrassment.
You winced trying to put weight on your leg and Dilucs fiery gaze softened with concern. "Are you alright?" He asked, moving you so that you were leaning on him slightly.
And you nodded because you had to be aright.
Watching with confused eyes as he seemed to pause, as if assessing your obvious lie. His conclusion came fast and he quietly beckoned over his maid, whispering about how "Adeline could fix anything."
And as you family laughed with the other guests of Dawn Winery, refusing to acknowledge you, Diluc held your hand as Adeline placed ice on your knee and offered you medicine in the form of a cookie.
Sheltered from view from the foyer you would never forget how Master Diluc's ears matched the shade of his vision, tied neatly to his waist, as he complimented your dress, eyes darting around the room in a hesitancy that made Adeline giggle and leave the pair of you sat, alone, eating cookies.
"I'm surprised your parents didn't help you." He mused, fidgeting with the loose ends of the chairs cushion on which he sat, "Did they not see you?"
You sank into yourself, "I suppose they didn't."
Diluc glanced at you, his head tilted, and you scrambled to excuses.
“I fell quite gracefully, I'm sure only you saw me." And he laughed, his head tilting back ever so slightly, you ignored how gleeful you felt in his happiness.
“I'm not sure anyone can fall gracefully."
"Blame it on your stupid staircase." You huffed, "It's a hazard, honestly."
At the call of his name, Diluc stood up and smiled at you again, before answering to a swarthy boy with blue hair, who had found your secret hiding spot.
“My brother." He gestured, “he has a habit of always finding me, no matter where I am."
And at the call of your name, you scrambled to your feet, moving fast to get to your Father.
You didn't know Master Diluc had a brother.
You were so hurried to leave that you almost forget your manners, freezing for a split second before you ran to Diluc and placed a quick, warm kiss right on the apple of his cheek. Missing how he stuttered over his farewell and glared at his brothers teasing grin.
You thanked him for helping you and dashed off, your dress whipping your ankles, reminding you to caution your steps.
Master Diluc was two years older than you, and kind. So earnestly kind.
You had heard through the gossiping maidens and gentlemen that he had took after Master Crepus, his Father, who was shaking the hand of your Father when you returned to his side.
Your knee was still tender but your smile remained giddy, bowing your head as a sign of respect when you greeted the older man, maybe your fall hadn't ruined anything, maybe just maybe you could join the celebrations of your family without feeling burdened by their obvious negligence.
However that night you found yourself listening to their celebrations of the approval of their deal through the wood of your bedroom door, your eyes raw from rubbing them as you cried like a baby over how you wished they would let you share their family joy.
How you wished your Father beamed at you like how he smiled at others, how you desired to be held by your Mother in an embrace that could melt all your trivial troubles away.
You were no heir to your Fathers business legacy, a legacy passed down by men.
You were just you.
A curse to your family, to your Mother, who could have no more children after you, wailing about how you cursed her womb with your birth after every failed pregnancy until she gave up.
You were only fourteen years old, and you carried enough resentment to wage a war on the generational traditions set by your ancestors.
Resentment that only ever grew with every reminder that you were a curse to your bloodline, a shame to your family.
.
You meet Diluc again by the docks, you're skimming stones; your socks are wet, he mentions how you'll catch a cold, you laugh in his face.
Diluc shakes his head and asks about your Father, you try to resist the groan that sticks in your throat.
"Busy trying to destroy his competitors." You mumble, throwing another stone before gesturing to the side gate where your Father obnoxiously laughs.
The sun is setting, the water before you appears orange, mingling with a shade of red that casts you thoughts back to young boy just steps away, you think of fire, and you blush as the dying sun warms your face.
"Ah." You throw stone, narrowly missing a fishers boat, "That includes my Fathers winery too I suppose?" Diluc isn't surprised, his voice carries an easiness expected from a sixteen year old.
"He'd go mad if he heard me say this to an "enemy" business." You don't look back at Diluc, but you know he's staring at you.
He's fidgeting with the sleeve of his Favonious uniform, never one to sit still.
"He always seems mad, especially at you."
And you pause, because you can't deny it, you want to laugh again, to throw your hands in the air, feel the breeze break across your body as you admit to the raw animosity that fills your torn heart at your Fathers mention.
"You don't believe I deserve it?" And you hate how weak you sound in that moment, how your voice threatens to shatter.
"I don't believe anyone deserves an angry Father."
And you feel your eyes sting, refusing to turn around or acknowledge Diluc's sentiment.
In the distance you hear the men at their market stalls begin to close up, their voices booming with carelessness as they plan the rest of their evenings.
You throw another stone, it hits the water and sinks.
And Diluc's laughing, bending to grab a stone, showing you a method to get it to bounce across the surface over and over again.
"Kaeya's really good at this." Diluc says, lifting another rock to skim, "He can make them bounce on the water forever."
"You don't seem too bad at it yourself,” you offer, groaning as your stone hits the water with an unsuccessful plonk.
"Come on!" You moan, "I threw that perfectly!"
He's laughing again, as he gently takes your hand.
”You need to roll your wrist more." He explains, "And try flick it towards the water.. Just like this."
You spend more time watching the way Diluc's eyes crease when he grins and the warmth of his hand holding yours than paying attention to his explanation, stones be damned.
He looks at you for a split second catching your eyes, and you instantly turn away, pretending to nod along to his instructions with apt understanding.
"I see, I see, yes of course flick it." Your face is warm and you're sure Diluc can see through your facade.
When your stone (yet again) splashes into the water, your shoulders drop.
"Maybe my talents lie elsewhere..”. You bashfully say, a tiny smile illuminating your face.
The sunlight is fading and soon you hear your Father calling your name.
This time when you kiss his cheek, it's for the purpose of sharing your clumsy affection, something you hope Diluc doesn't notice, shyly backing away into the growing night, your face as red as his.
And Diluc hopes, just as hard, that you didn't notice how his gaze never leaves your figure even as you walk through the side gate towards your Father, waving "Goodbye" to him with a pretty smile adorning your pretty face.
.
When you go to Mondstat again Master Crepus is dead.
You try to pet one of the pigeons that you see at the city gate, you frown when it flies away.
Your Father is in a tizzy, lamenting to your Mother about the perils of buissness and how he would have to earn the favour of the "Raginvinder Boy”
And you find yourself blushing when you hear his name again.
You're sixteen and selfishly your heat skips a beat when you see the mourning Master Dilic.
He's accompanied by a man your Father called
Charles.
You can't see his brother anywhere, it's raining.
You Mother whispers to your Father that it was
Master Diluc's eighteenth today and you feel sick as you see the extinguished flames in his eyes, barely acknowledging your family who all bow their head in fake grief.
You don't bow your head.
And Diluc pauses for only a second upon seeing you before he turns away. His eyes drifting to you parents, he only nods to greet them.
He's exhausted, and when your parents turn their head you're following him.
You find him outside the Winery clutching a box and staring into the patterns of the merciless monsoon that soaks you both, you don't ask, and he doesn't mention it.
The pair of you just remain in silence, and you wonder, shaking slightly from the cold, if you should have just stayed beside your family.
Diluc's vision is missing.
"I'm leaving."
You jump at his voice, and look at him, truly look at
him.
The sadness that seemed to cascade down his body meer minutes ago was gone, replaced with a burning sensation of revenge.
"I don't blame you." You say, because you don't, ignoring every bitter, selfish thought in your head to beg him to stay, your heart bordering on a possessive need to keep the only person who had ever shown you true kindness.
"I can't stay here, I need-" You've never seen Master Diluc so unsure, "I need answers."
His resolve is absolute, an immovable force.
You nod.
You don't know why you're here.
Diluc clears his throat, standing taller, as if making up his mind.
"Tell your Father that the winery will temporarily be handed to my Fathers employee's and not I.”
And you nod again pathetically subservient to a buisness you don't understand.
He looks at you and you see how his gaze softens, only slightly, before he's leaving you alone, walking away. You hesitate before the words stumble out of your mouth.
"Master Crepus was good." And you think you die inside, when he freezes.
"I'm..I'm sorry for your loss Master Diluc."
You walk towards him, and gently kiss his cheek, your lips are cold and you mistake his shiver as an acknowledgement to the rain.
He doesn't reply and you feel stupid, stupid, stupid.
.
It's four years later when you meet him again. You're twenty years old, and working in the "Cat's Tail" to spite your Father.
When he died, you felt nothing, cursing yourself for your bitterness and your inability to find closure choosing instead to hold onto resentment.
You applied for the job that same afternoon, estranging yourself from your family, indubitably.
You're just a waitress, not involved with the mixing of the drinks, but the fact that you were there, just watching, makes you smirk to yourself.
Perhaps you’re crueler than you care to acknowledge.
You had been tasked with fetching Wolf Hooks for Diona's new special, the bitter taste that they brought to the senses convinced the young bar maid that no matter what, the drink will taste awful.
You're not so sure, but you go looking for them anyway.
The sky is darker by the time you've collected enough Wolf Hooks to satisfy both yourself and Diona.
You're moving quickly, proud of yourself for a job well done, wanting to return to Mondstat as fast as possible, so you could go home.
It's colder at night.
A tree branch breaks, and you jump, turning your head to see a Mitachurl dashing towards you, an ugly snarl engorging its face, you think the ground trembles as it quickens its pace.
Oh dear God you were going to die.
You had just got your life together and you were going to die.
You take a step back, your lips parted, the scream sticking in your throat as you tried to hurry your trembling body away from the mitachurls axe, a feeling of utter hopelessness blacking out your frenzied senses.
There's a flash of red and black and suddenly your body is throw to the side and the mitachurl roars in pain.
Your eyes are closed, almost painfully so, you’re sure you've drawn blood by how hard you hand clenched your fists, nails digging into the soft skin of your sweating palm.
A moment passes, and then another, you risk a glance, one eye peeking open, you see it through your eyelashes.
It's dead. Did you kill it?
Did you just kill something with your mind?
Is that even possible?
Your mind runs blank as you stare at its body, still clutching your bag full of rotten, bitter fruit.
And suddenly there's a man, wearing a mask, offering you a hand, helping you up.
"Wha-' You whisper, looking at the masked hero in front of you, eyes wide.
"Who are you?" Your voice is lacking the conviction of curiosity, too startled to really process what just happened.
He just blinks at you. His eyes scanning your face for injuries, delicately hidden concern present in his red eyes.
"How did you..?" Your question dies on the tip of your tongue, your head tilted slightly as he shakes his head, refusing to acknowledge the suggestion of your question, moving to help you with your bag.
"No no please it's ok!" You step back, raising your hands as if to prove you're ok, "I can get back to Mondstat by myself I promise."
He just looks at you, a look in his eye that you can't discern, before reaching out again, insistently.
You glanced around, looking for a clue as to where he came from, all you see are trees.
"You saved me." You mutter, ignoring how he moved his hand closer, as if reminding you to hand him your bag.
The moon is high, its silver glow cascades through the surrounding forest and onto his hair, you find yourself reminiscent.
You look at him again. "Can you speak?"
He just stares, at you, face blank, you sheepishly smile. "Are..Are you by any chance heading back to the city too?" You query, desperate to find a common ground.
He nods. Your face lights up, and you gesture for him to follow, "Then as a thank you, I'll keep you company on your journey."
(You would never admit, even in front of Lord Barbado's himself, that you were simply too afraid to walk home alone.)
If the strange masked man had an issue with your brazenness in insisting you accompany him, he did not show it, instead following you just slightly behind.
His eyes stayed vigilant, restless, and he stayed silent.
In the quietness of the night you lament softly how he reminds you of the boy from the winery, your voice is fond, even a little bashful.
"You have the same coloured hair." You observe, "Only, he preferred to wear his hair lower, more out of his face."
You don't know why you're talking, you always talked too much.
"I remember.” You hold back a childish giggle, "How I always wanted to play with it - his hair I mean."
The masked man perked his head up, following you more closely now.
"He was.always so kind, always too nice to me."
You missed how his eyes widened, and the tiny flex of his hand, resisting the urge to grab your own.
The city gate draws nearer, you notice him start to slow.
"You're not going into the city?" You ponder, your eyes curious as he nods, his hand coming up to point at the area around the walls, you let out a small sound of understanding.
"If you..ever need anything, I work in the Cats Tail" You smile, "You can't miss it, there's a lot of um..cats outside it."
You're sure you see his lips quirk up a tiny amount before you continue.
"If you visit, I'll give you a free drink, promise!"
Your eyes are hopeful as you offer and then you're leaning forward to kiss his cheek, and his eyes widen, you whisper a soft "Thank you." before you turn and leave.
And Diluc feels like the air in his lungs evaporates as you walk away, his hand reaching up to trace the place where your lips just left.
It had been years, but you're still the same, glowing person, he notes how your eyes seem less inclined to melancholy, instead siding with joy.
It had been years and yet he is still rendered speechless by you, your antics, and your smile.
So when he returns to his winery, for the first time in four years, smiling politely at his workers who clammer to him, welcoming him back and asking about his well-being, all he can think about is you.
.
Angels Share is always busiest on the weekends. Charles often found himself overwhelmed, every patron parading around the bar, dancing on the fine line between tipsy and drunk.
It's on nights like this that Diluc finds himself at the bar; cleaning glasses, serving customers and rolling his eyes at his allusive brother, always the showman.
You watch him with an intrigue likened to sun chasing the stars, always there but never seeing.
He had changed a lot, you were unsure how to even approach him anymore.
You suppose that your separation made sense- it had been four years, but even so, you despised how you felt unable to just walk up to him and strike a conversation, ask him about his travels or when he got his vision back.
You wanted to know everything but Archons it was hard. The man who had once regarded you (and the world) with so much fiery passion and untethered bliss, seemed so cold now.
And so, you avoided him, only smiling at him when you happened to see him around Mondstat, a rare but pleasant event.
Neither of you made any attempt to shorten the distance, neither of you seemed to even consider it.
And thus, here you were; sat, in the corner of the bar, lost in your own little world, watching a bard hum a song you recognised but could not name.
You could see Diluc out of the corner of your eye, handing back change to a knight who sung his praises and grasped his hand briefly. "Always a gentleman Master Diluc." He slurred, “We, as knights all but plead for your hic - return someday."
Perhaps Diluc didn't want to see you?
After all, you were a reminder of his past, being so closely tied to the wine industry due to your family name, maybe he held a resentment so strong that even speaking to you would resurface a pathetic mirage of desolation and mourning?
You sigh; lean back and flick your glass, cringing as it rang out a high pitched shrill, bouncing off the wall you were sat beside and echoing into your skull.
This was pathetic. You felt pathetic.
At this rate the pair of you were going go be stuck in this turmoil of evasion, and you didn't want that, despite how your actions may come across.
You were going to have to say something do anything, you just wanted a damn conversation with him, it wasn't like you were benefiting from not talking to him.
So deep in your own head you barely notice the call of your name, your eyes trained on the staircase ahead of you scheming a way to reintroduce yourself back into Master Diluc's life.
Maybe if you got ridiculously drunk he would help you home? No Y/N that's a silly idea you have too much self respect for that and besides you-
"Pardon me, Y/N, are you alright?"
Your entire body must have froze. Only your eyes seeming to work as you glance at the very man you were just thinking about with a look akin to horror.
"M-Master Diluc oh!" You scramble, readjusting your top and floundering up in your seat, as if jumping to attention. “Yes hello- I mean uh hi-"
What the hell are you doing?
He looked at you, the softness in his gaze going undetected by you as you cringed at your lack of decorum.
"Hello." He replied simply, reaching for your empty glass, his face passive.
You're sure you're gaping at him so you look away, focusing on the window beside your table.
"You appear to be in your own world." He states, pulling out one of the chairs tucked neatly towards the table much to your surprise.
"Oh." You laugh nervously, your hand moving up to scratch your head, buying you time to answer. "You know me, there's always something..hah"
You wanted to melt, to sink to the floor and disappear through the floorboards never to be seen again.
Diluc nods, sitting down and turning his head to properly look at you, red eyes examining your own, you feel your face heat up.
Silence.
"So." You started, your thumb smoothing over the expanse of your knuckles, "You're back!"
Your voice was filtered with what you hoped was a casual, conversational tone, as you held yourself back from prying.
"I'm back.” He echoed.
……
"You look well" He prompted, both of you clearly at a loss, now refusing to make eye contact.
"Huh? You think?" You face him now, your eyes widened.
"Happier, I think.”
And you smile.
"I am. I'm much, much happier.” You move closer to him, although neither of you seem to realise it.
"You look different." You muse, and almost sink into yourself when he looks at you again, an eyebrow quirked, encouraging your observation.
"Not bad different!" You quickly emphasise, your hands flying up in a barely constrained panic, "Good, you look good."
Diluc nods, a silent thank you in which he would never say.
Both of you stare.
"I was told you work in the Cats Tail" He moves his head in the direction of your establishment, "Diona's brilliant, especially for someone so young."
"Oh yes! She's fantastic, fantastic and quite stubborn.” You mimic, your head nodding in agreement.
"Stubborn?"
"She's a child, you know how they are.." You're laughing again, an ugly awkward sound that vibrates in your throat.
"Of course."
Diluc hated small talk.
He wanted to dive into deeper conversations, to ask how you were, to ask if you were alright from the Machurl event that happened just weeks prior, but he couldn't. He wanted to tell you how beautiful you had aged, how your smile still filled him with unfamiliar nerves, but he withheld, instead looking down at the empty glass in his hands.
He wanted to tell you how beautiful you had aged, how your smile still filled him with unfamiliar nerves, but he withheld, instead looking down at the empty glass in his hands.
"You're not drinking?"
The ice that remained at the bottom of your glass was melting, cubes turned to rounded watery balls in his grasp.
"No I uh, just didn't feel like it." There was moth against the glass outside, it crashed delicately into the window desperately trying to make its way into the cosy light of the bar.
Charles called his name, and Diluc lifted a hand, a sign of his soon return.
You breathed once and then twice, before sighing.
"I'm glad you're back Master Diluc." And you felt like a child again, embarrassed and clumsy, but yet you persisted, "Mondstat seemed colder without you."
And Diluc paused, his face unreadable, eyes flickering over your nervous face.
"I'm glad to be back." He spoke, his voice low, "It's good to see you again." You were sure he whispered it, but you heard him clearer than ever, you heart turning to mush in your chest.
You had gotten closer, your eyes looked over his features, his beautiful details that were highlighted despite the dim light of the bar.
"It's good to see you too." You mumbled, the heat on your face was familiar, nostalgic.
Charles called his name again, and he moved to stand, and you joined him.
"I-" You started, a waterfall of words resting on your tongue, screaming to be released against the dam of your lips.
You didn't know what to say, you never truly did around him, instead opting for what you knew best, for what you hoped was familiar to him.
The kiss on his cheek was too close to his lips to be a polite gesture, you both knew it.
Even so, you said nothing, attempting to leave before you began to overthink.
And Diluc grabbed your elbow gently, urging you to look at him as he blinked at you, he looked lost, as though he too couldn't find his own words, you held back a smile for fear it may look mocking.
"Would you-" And God if there was anything Diluc had learned to despise more than small talk it was vulnerability, yet you seem to shave away all the bravado that he had built up around himself.
"Would you be inclined in joining me for an evening?"
Your mouth parted, cheeks burning and head swimming with questions that you were sure painted your face as Diluc cleared his throat.
"We could perhaps get dinner at the winery, I would walk you home, of course…”
And you were speechless, your heart on your sleeve as you nodded, suppressing the need to scream.
"I'd love to." You whispered, your face glowing.
"Master Diluc!"
Charles was sweating behind the bar, a group of rowdy knights roaring with laughter as one threw his head back, the shot glass in his hand spilling everywhere.
"Yes, yes Charles I'm coming." Diluc answered, turning his head to the bar, an irritated look on his face.
He glanced at you once more, asserting a date and time before he was leaving. Your face still on fire, eyes wide with disbelief.
The bard beside you hollered at you for standing directly in-front of him during his performance and you jumped, spluttering out apologises before you dashed outside.
The cold air hit you and you walked in a daze, the streetlights decorating your vision and the cracks in the pathway guiding you home.
.
It was raining when you knocked on the Dawn Winery doors. Delicate rain droplets had dampened your shoes as you walked amongst the grape vines.
Your eyes shone when Master Diluc opened the door, his red eyes crinkled as he offered you a gentle smile.
"Please, come in.” He opened the door wider, gesturing for your coat, in which you handed to him with a sheepish smile.
"It's a little damp…”
"Not to worry, I'll get Adeline to dry it for you."
At the mention of her name your head shot up, your eyebrows raised, "She still works here?" You gasp, memories of your first meeting swarming to the forefront of your brain.
Diluc nodded, leading you towards his dining table, his voice was light as he replied; "She never left, she's been here longer than I."
And you look in awe at winery, the fireplace casting a golden glow on the fancy sofas and newly polished floors, intricate shadows dancing across the walls, and ceiling, moving with every motion of the flames.
"The winery is still so impressive, even after all these years." Your voice comes out quiet, and Diluc's looking at you again, his arm resting on a dining chair, watching you with a faint amusement he did not care to conceal.
"Yes.” He agreed, "My staff took excellent care of it in my absence, I'll be sure to tell them your compliments."
Your eyes find his, and you find yourself bashful, walking towards him and taking a seat, the nerves in your stomach pulling you from your stupor.
Was your hair sitting ok? Your makeup smudged?
He joined you on the opposite side, reaching for a bottle of what you assumed was wine, but as it washed past your tongue you held back a giggle.
"Grape juice Master Diluc?" You teased, and he scowled.
"My drink of choice." He hesitated, "I can get wine if you so prefer-"
"No no! I like it! I just didn't pin Mondstats wine tycoon as someone who prefers juice."
You're smiling again, resting your head on your hand,
the (what looked to be ever present) awkwardness
melting away with the cadence of your conversation.
And Diluc stilled for a moment, that same unreadable expression overcoming his features before he cleared his throat and gestures towards the food in-front of you.
"Please tuck in, it would be my pleasure for you to join me.”
"Ah yes! Thank you." You grinned.
Dinner went by smoothly, simple conversations and timid, blushing, simpers ever present in your exchanges. You exclaimed that his food was to die for, delighting in the deserts like a child.
And for the first time since Diluc returned, he regarded home as a place of serenity, forgoing the feelings of regret and shame that permeated his soul for a brief moment, with you at his dining table, chuckling as you sneaked another treat into your mouth, sheepishly looking down when you realised you were caught.
As promised, Diluc stayed at your side as you walked home, his heart in his throat as you pointed out the crystal flies above you.
"Were they always here?" You gasped, flailing your arms in the air in attempt to catch one, pouting as it flew away.
"I believe so." He replied, following your gaze to another one of the pesky buggers, one that hovered just a few inches off the ground.
"Shh!" You whispered, crouching down, determined to trap it once and for all.
You were sure you looked ridiculous but you were far too entranced with the pretty colour of its fluorescent wings to mind.
Diluc huffed out a small laugh, watching as you failed yet again and you groaned in dismay. “How are they so fast?!" You exclaimed, joining him by his side again as you continued your journey, arms crossed.
"Perhaps you're too slow.” He teased and you tutted, sticking your nose in the air with a dramatic flair that reminded him of his brother.
"You're too slow.” You replied, earnestly, earning another smile from Diluc.
"You'll get one some day"
And you looked at him with stars in your eyes, your face sparkling.
"You'll let me come back?"
And Diluc looked at you, eyebrows furrowed.
Of course he would?
Was that not obvious? Was he not obvious in his advancements towards you?
"Of course I will" His response rolled of his tongue like a question, confused by your surprise, “I happen to enjoy your company."
He enjoyed your company? Your company.
You could scream, your hands trembling with anticipation, your head dizzy with the joy of feeling wanted.
"Y/N?" Only when he spoke again did you realise how silent you had been, looking at him you noticed how nervous Master Diluc looked.
He was still looking at you, but his apprehension wasn't hard to discern. You shivered.
"Master Diluc." You started, kicking a stone from beneath your shoe as you walked, forcing yourself to continue, your eyes moving between him and the blackened sky.
"I must apologise Y/N, I believed I was being obvious in my attempts of courting you." He mumbled, his hand brushed yours very gently, you held your breath.
You both slowed to a stop, his hand didn't move away from your own, and you felt flustered.
“If I haven't been as obvious as I had hoped, allow me to try once again."
His eyes are soft, his voice trembling in a manner you weren't use to.
You let out a breath.
"May I kiss you?" He whispered, his hand was tracing your cheek, the material of his glove rough against your cheek.
Oh God how you wanted to kiss him, your lips parting, the cool breeze brushing past you, urging you to answer.
"Please." You all but begged, moving you head forward, tilting your chin towards him.
With a sigh your lips connected to his, and you were warm, warm, warm, his kisses were as fiery as his passion.
It was rough, it was desperate, it was aching with years of pining.
He was smiling against your lips, a tiny giggle erupted in your throat and you're pulling away, staring up at him as if he was crafted by the Gods himself.
"You tease." You mumble, pressing your face into his chest, swooning at the delicate kiss pressed to the top of your head before his arms are circling your figure.
You were twenty years old, and Diluc was yours.