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Jean sighed as she buried her head in her hands. 27 criminals had been caught this week alone. All but one of the Knights’ most wanted had been brought to justice, leaving only the Darknight Hero walking the streets.
Unfortunately, they still were no closer to figuring out who their mysterious vigilante was. Not for lack of trying, of course. Somehow, even though he’d brought these criminals to the Knights, no one had any leads. Jean flipped through the ever-growing file, trying to place who it could possibly be.
Sir Guy reported for duty one morning to find two targets bound and chained to the front doors, with no sign of who left them there. Sucrose had snuck into the Library that same evening to return a book for Albedo and nearly jumped out of her skin when she ran into a criminal bound in the main hall. Even Amber was caught off guard when she reported three treasure hoarders tied to a tree on her patrol route the following morning.
None of the prisoners had a clue either. Kaeya had questioned them at Jean’s insistence, but after a few hours, even he returned empty-handed. She’d dismissed it at the time, but after thinking it over, Jean grew suspicious and stopped him on his way home that afternoon. But, when she pressed him on the matter, he simply shrugged his shoulders and claimed, “I’d gladly take the credit, but surely our Darknight Hero would track me down next if I did.”
What was that even supposed to mean?
She laughed it off as he waved goodbye, but it stuck with her. If anyone knew who the Darknight Hero was, it’d be Kaeya. But, if he knew, why wouldn’t he give up the name? It wasn’t like Jean was going to arrest the man. She just wanted to recruit him or at least ensure he wouldn’t be attacked in the line of duty.
Jean gathered all of the papers together again and scrutinized the details. The “Darknight Hero” was the only lead they had, but that was no step closer than she’d been on Wednesday. Jean pushed the thoughts and the papers aside with a sigh. She should be happy the Knights have managed to bring in so many targets over the last week. Looking at the papers again, Jean realized she hadn’t written up a single report that week, but the fieldwork she’d been doing instead was rather refreshing for a change.
SUSPECT WANTED FOR THREE COUNTS OF THEFT. ‘GOOD HUNTER’, ‘MONDSTADT GENERAL GOODS’, & ‘WITH WIND COMES GLORY’ ALL ATTACKED ON THE SAME NIGHT.
Jean winced as she read the names. Blanche and Marjorie didn’t see anything, but Sara had come in early to prepare for the day. Luckily, the thief had chosen to run, and she even managed to give a description. A male figure with a tall and slender build. Blue eyes and brunet hair showed over a treasure hoarder’s uniform.
Jean could hear Kaeya’s voice echoing in her head about how he knew his way around Treasure Hoarders, but the Cavalry Captain was currently too busy. Alice had sent Klee a “mysterious package” a few days ago, and Kaeya was immediately placed on Spark Knight duty.
The package also included Alice’s Happy Birthday letter to Jean. In it, she indicated that she’d gifted Jean newfound freedom of birthday schemes that year and hoped her little one wouldn’t give her too much trouble during her celebration. Jean smiled as she read the letter and hoped the sentiment had been true. Thankfully, there was only so much Lisa could do on her own, and, for once, Jean could celebrate her birthday without a big fuss. Lunch with Barbara on her birthday itself was all she needed. She’d gone to work like normal, caught up with her sister, and dodged any questions regarding her “birthday plans.” Smiling to herself, Jean stood up from her desk. Catching this criminal would end her birthday week on a high note.
Just as she gathered the scattered papers to stack them on the corner of her desk, Jean’s office door creaked open.
“Jean, sweetie. It’s past 5 o’clock. It’s time you left for the day, don'tcha think?” Lisa walked inside. “Let’s head to the Angel Share tonight. You’ve yet to celebrate your birthday properly and by the looks of it, you’ve been strung tight this week.” She pointed at the stack of papers neatly piled in Jean’s hands.
“How did you even know I was here?” She sat the papers down on the desk and Lisa raised an eyebrow at her. Jean sighed. Of course, it was a ridiculous question to ask.
“You need a stiff drink.” Lisa sauntered toward Jean’s desk. “And I’ll kindly foot the bill in celebration of you.” Jean hesitated for a moment before Lisa delivered the mortal blow. “And I’m sure you know who likes to bartend on Fridays.”
Considering the number of times Jean had overlooked Kaeya slipping out early on Fridays, she was able to take a guess.
“Lisa…” Jean walked around to the front of her desk, eyes glued to the floor as her cheeks flamed at Lisa’s teasing.
“C’mon. Let’s go.” She tipped Jean’s chin up to meet her eyes.
Lisa’s gaze bored into her, reading her down to the core. A devious smirk curled across the librarian’s lips and Jean pulled away, heat staining her cheeks. She never could hide anything from that woman. “Alright then. I doubt you’ll let me stay. So, shall we?” Jean gestured toward the door.
With a tilt of her hat and a smile that could put a fox to shame, Lisa brushed past her. “Certainly!”
*🌼*🌼*🌼*
Angel’s Share was bustling like Jean had never seen it before. She hadn’t been around recently, but it seemed like the entirety of Mondstadt had squeezed inside or around the tavern. “Is there something special happening this evening?”
Lisa giggled, “No. This is pretty typical for a Friday night.”
Was it? She tried to remember if she’d ever visited Angel’s Share on a Friday. Thinking back, Jean recalled a time Kaeya had dragged her to the tavern for his birthday celebration or when they’d rented the whole space out to celebrate the Knights. She continued to recount the times she’d visited only to realize that the last time she’d visited the Angel’s Share on a Friday evening had been when Diluc first took over the tavern, 5 years ago. Jean scrunched her nose. Had it really been that long?
Lisa raised an eyebrow, but Jean straightened her jacket, brushing her thoughts aside. She wasn’t about to give Lisa any more teasing fodder. With a slight smirk that Jean refused to try to understand, she pushed the door open.
The bartender that evening was indeed different than usual, just like Lisa hinted, but Jean’s heart sank when she saw gray hair instead of red on the other side of the counter. Elzer had just finished wiping down a glass when he turned to smile at the two women as they entered. Jean politely smiled back as she reasoned that Diluc was likely caught up in something else important that evening.
Lisa placed her hand on Jean’s back, propelling her toward the nearest barstool. “We’ll take two Dandelion wines to start our evening. Thank you.”
“To start?” Jean turned toward her companion.
“Of course. We won’t have just one.” Lisa teased. “It’s a Friday night and we’re celebrating your birthday. We’ll have at least three.”
“Your Dandelion Wines.” Elzer slid their glasses across the counter.
Jean raised the glass to her lips, letting the first drops of Dandelion Wine slip past them and wash her tongue in its notes of dry bitterness. It’d been so long since she’d tasted the Dawn Winery’s specialty. She’d almost forgotten the soothing taste and missed how she’d let it flood her senses with nostalgia of a simpler time.
“It’s been a while, Elzer, I hope you’ve been well. This is quite the trip for you to make to tend the bar. Has Charles taken ill?” Jean allowed a smile to show. It truly had been so long.
Memories of crystalflies flitting overhead, throwing fistfuls of grapes and getting scolded together, playing knights and bandits back in the simpler days. The memory of Diluc standing proudly as he led them off to ‘adventure’, wooden sword in hand as his mane glowed like fire and determination blazing in his eyes. That was when Jean first felt that flutter of-
“Nothing of the sort. Master Diluc was going to tend the bar tonight, but he was pulled into a pressing conflict.”
“Oh. I see.” Jean ignored the pit opening in her stomach.
“What a disappointment,” Lisa pouted to Jean. “Guess we’ll have to catch up with him for your birthday some other time.”
“I’ll leave you ladies be.” Elzer smiled as he grabbed another glass to clean. “It’s good to see you again, Acting Grandmaster. You’ll have to stop by the Winery soon. Adelinde would be delighted to see you.”
“Good to see you too, Elzer.” Jean nodded in turn as the man grabbed another cloth and returned to the dirty dishes.
Jean swirled the wine in her glass, watching it coat the inner ring yet never stay in place before taking another sip. From the corner of her eye, she caught Lisa staring at her. She knew, but Jean kept her eyes on her drink as she set it back down. “You know as well as I how busy Master Diluc is.” Jean tried her best to hide her disappointment. “Even if he had known we’d be here tonight, he doesn’t need to forego his responsibilities to celebrate me.”
Jean took another drink of her wine. If they stayed in this vein of conversation much longer, Jean would need far more alcohol to make it through the evening. Once again, she found herself mentally cursing herself for ever confiding in the Librarian about her former feelings for Diluc.
*🌼*🌼*🌼*
This was a good idea. Not just the glass of Wolfhook Juice with sparkling wine that Lisa suggested, but this whole trip. Her head was buzzing pleasantly, and her fingers were tingling. The laugh spilled out from her easily. “And we never did find where Diluc’s poor tortoise escaped to.”
“Perhaps he ran away to court yours?” Lisa leaned across the table, sipping away on her fourth Dandelion Wine.
”It… it doesn’t matter.” Jean hid behind her drink. “Besides, it’s been so long since then, I’m sure they’ve long since moved on and gone their separate ways.”
”Something tells me that’s unlikely.” Lisa flashed a cheeky grin. “They were young, after all. And it’s been a long time. Perhaps fate brought them together again.” She sipped coyly on her drink.
Jean’s face flushed. “I didn’t realize you were such an optimist.”
”You’re blushing.” Lisa teased.
”Hardly. It’s the alcohol.” Jean insisted. “You know I don’t drink and my head is starting to feel heavy.”
“Shall we finish this round and call it an evening then?” Lisa set her drink down and gave Jean an appraising look.
Jean just nodded, resting her head on her arm. Elzer was still manning the bar. Almost everyone in Mondstadt had either sent their greetings or wished her in person. Except…
”So, Jean, dear, what is it about Diluc that flusters you so?”
Her cheeks burned as she turned back to look at Lisa’s amused smile. Lisa had yet to let up about him, needling, and teasing, but still pressing, no matter how much Jean tried to deflect or offer distractions. She took a large gulp of her drink - liquid courage as some of the Knights called it - and began.
”Well…he’s always been handsome.” Jean paused for a moment as her lips curled up. “Even when we were younger, the late Master Crepus had to field marriage proposals and arranged marriages for him. And, now… well…” She didn’t exactly have to elaborate.
”But what makes him special ?” Lisa smirked. “I’m sure you’ve heard what people say about Kaeya. And you grew up with him as well.”
Jean took another sip and propped her head up in her hand. “Kaeya is…Kaeya is handsome, but…” She hesitated, shifting her eyes as the buzz in her brain blocked the words she searched for.
”I understand, sweetie.” Lisa reached across the table and took Jean’s hand.
The warmth grounded her as Jean found Lisa’s soft eyes. “You do?”
Lisa squeezed once before leaning back and taking another sip of her wine, “Of course I do. You find Kaeya handsome, but you find Master Diluc alluring. ”
And something about the way Lisa turned that word over in her mouth had Jean struggling for air in a blur of fire. Alluring . Swinging a claymore with a single hand, dodging around the battlefield with ease. Alluring. A protective inferno, for Mondstadt, always. An ever-glowing protective flame that could never be extinguished. Yeah, that was it.
Lisa had managed to nail down exactly how Jean saw Diluc in a matter of seconds. Was she that obvious?Jean ran her hands through her hair, trying to remember every moment she’d spent with Diluc. Did he see through her like Lisa did? Or did she admit something that gave her away? Or was she-
“-ean…Jean.” Lisa’s voice called her back.
“Hm?” Jean caught green eyes staring at her. “Oh. Sorry.” She took another drink of her Wolfhook Juice. “I got caught up for a moment.”
“If it concerns you, he doesn’t know.” Lisa finished off her wine.
”How—How do you know that?” Jean’s voice came out too small for her own liking as she ran her finger along the rim of her glass. She could take it. If he saw, but wasn’t responding to her feelings, that was his choice, and… like she said, it had been so long since those days.
”Call it intuition.” Lisa flicked her hair back.
“So, you don’t know.” Jean’s eyes refused to focus, the juice fading into a purple blur against a soft brown background. Maybe she shouldn’t finish her drink after all.
Lisa stopped her. “I promise. He has no knowledge of your feelings.”
And something about that brought tears to Jean’s eyes. However, before she could dwell on it any further, Lisa pulled her to her feet and locked arms with her. “You look exhausted,” she warmly smiled and guided Jean toward the door. “Let’s get you home.”
*🌼*🌼*🌼*
They walked arm in arm as the cool breeze blew off the lake, whipping their hair around their faces. The crisp wind kissed Jean’s pink cheeks until they were nearly scarlet. As a gust whipped through them, a shiver ran through her as she pulled Lisa a little closer.
”Is your overcoat too thin, dear?” Lisa rubbed Jean’s arm.
”Maybe just a touch.” She tried to laugh even though the winds made her feel like she was walking with Barbatos. Though she tried to find warmth from Lisa, Jean’s body still shook with the chill. “In my de-defense. I d-didn’t know I’d be out s-so late tonight.”
”I can tell,” Lisa giggled. “Was it worth it though?”
A touch of uncertainty laced Lisa’s voice and Jean glanced at her, a bit surprised she would even ask such a question. “O-Of course it was.” She assured, squeezing Lisa’s arm. “Why wouldn’t it be?”
“No reason.” Lisa stopped at the waypoint, dropping Jean’s elbow. “Ah, we’re already here.” Jean stepped back with a reluctant nod. She’d miss the warmth, but they had to part ways. Lisa grabbed her hands and gave them a firm squeeze. “Shall we do this again soon?”
“Yes. Of course.” Jean smiled, returning the gesture.
She waved goodbye as Lisa sauntered away. Rubbing her face, Jean yawned. It was far later than she usually stayed up. She blew into her hands, desperately trying to warm herself as she walked toward her own house. She couldn’t wait to sit beside her fireplace and thaw from the cold. Thinking about the fire, a thought popped into her head. Would pyro vision holders get cold this easily?
Jean’s mind wandered back to Diluc again and she wondered if his vision kept him warm on cool nights such as this. What if he had been at Angel’s Share that night? Would he have offered to walk her home? If he did, would he have shared some warmth from his vision? The idea of that scalding presence standing beside her, made her feel… No. She was getting ahead of herself. Jean shook her head as if that alone would banish the thought of Diluc.
He wouldn’t, she reminded herself with a sigh, turning her attention to sliding the key into her door.
The latch clicked open and Jean stepped inside. She tossed her keys on the counter and reached for her crossbody bag to put alongside them. Except, when her hand instinctively grabbed for the strap, it wasn’t there. Looking down, Jean patted herself as if it’d magically appear and groaned. She’d left it at the office, hanging on the coat rack.
Dang it. She needed that. Jean huffed as she grabbed her keys to leave once again for Headquarters. She locked the door behind her, pinching her brow. “Guess I have to go get it.”
That bag held all her notes and files on the recent cases, and Varka expected a full report sent with the reinforcements leaving first thing Monday morning. The majority of it was done, but she needed to add the updates regarding the recent spree of criminals being brought in over the last week. Which she could only add if she completed it before she went to Headquarters to see off the small brigade of reinforcements on Monday morning.
Why hadn’t she remembered to grab it before she and Lisa left for Angel’s Share? If she’d done that, she wouldn’t be violently shivering in an overcoat that was too thin for early spring or walking in heels that should have been taken off hours ago. Her feet would certainly hate her come morning, but duty called.
When she turned the corner at the top of the ramp leading to Headquarters, Jean found two silhouettes dimly lit under one of the street lamps. Though it was hard to make out the details, Jean saw one obscured by a cape that turned them into a formless mass of fluttering fabric while the other struggled on the ground, contorted somehow. At a closer glance, she recognized the familiar glint of light reflecting off metal cuffs.
”Help!” The bound figure cried out and the other turned, staring her down, unmoving. Jean reached for her sword but stopped when she met his eyes. There was a familiarity in them. Their piercing red captivated her as flames danced in them. The look of an all too familiar blaze of passion and duty. Eyes she would always know. Eyes that haunted her dreams.
Jean shook herself free of her stupor and approached the two. Each step pierced the tension as the click of her heels shattered the heavy silence. But he didn’t flee in a whirl of fire. He stood motionless, allowing her to draw nearer.
Practically shoulder to shoulder with the Darknight Hero, Jean tried to contain her astonishment. As much as she wanted to glance over to confirm it was the same face that used to bear the widest of grins and the brightest of smiles, she wouldn’t. It wasn’t just a matter of willpower, she couldn’t . For Monstadt, as always, it still meant protecting the citizens and those she held dear. Everyone. Even from herself.
She looked over the man on the ground carefully, confirming to herself that he matched the identification photos she looked at earlier that afternoon. She nodded toward the captive. ”Thank you.” Her voice carried on the wind in a low whisper for the Darknight’s ears alone.
”I don’t know what you two are whispering about!” The criminal writhed in his bindings. “But I’m sure all of Mondstadt would love to know that the Knights are working with a vigilante! So if you don’t want-”
”I don’t work with them.”
Jean knew that voice, deep as the lake and rough like logs in a crackling fire. Even the gravelly rasp was familiar. The sound of it sent her back to her childhood once more. Back to a time when the world didn’t feel so daunting and they could be heroes without a care in the world. Jean pictured a boy with fiery hair and a black shirt standing atop a stone, professing to be a villain. But, of course, the bandit leader, the villain, always had to sound more ‘menacing’ he claimed at the time. So, he’d adopt the ‘villain’s voice’ when he played the bad guy. She couldn’t help snickering at the image of ‘menacing’ he’d made when he was missing his front tooth from losing a scuffle with a cryo slime on the Dawn Winery’s riverbank.
”In fact,” he continued, paying her no mind, “you had best thank her. Otherwise, I might not have stayed my hand.” A favorite threat from their ‘menacing bandit leader’. One time Kaeya had even called it a convenient excuse as the boys got into a slap fight and Jean’s sides ached from laughing so hard.
The thief flinched as the Darknight Hero reached for him and lifted him with a single hand. “I’m sure you’ve already caused the Acting Grandmaster more paperwork than you’re worth. I’ll let the Knights finish the job.”
As he started to walk away, Jean drew in her courage, “Once you’ve finished, might I see you in my office?”
The vigilante glanced over his shoulder and looked her up and down before nodding once and returning to his task. Jean sighed. Things just got a lot messier.
*🌼*🔥*🌼*
Jean had barely managed to shut off her thoughts and pull out the correct paperwork when a soft rap at her window caught her attention. She slid it open, allowing the too-familiar hooded figure to swing himself inside. He landed noiselessly, allowing his cloak to fall askew. This time, she allowed herself to stare at the fiery mane. Only the mask remained to hide his face as he drifted to the shadows.
She stood from her seat and leaned over her desk. “You can take off the mask. I already know it’s you.”
His mouth curved into a teasing smirk as he planted his hands on the edges of her desk, leaning right back. “And who might you believe that to be?”
Jean pulled back to cross her arms, but he didn’t back down. She slumped back into her chair, losing her steam. “Diluc, please. You have to stop. If you keep taking down criminals, the people will lose faith in the Knights. And I’m not about to take credit for what you’ve done.”
Diluc let out a sigh of his own and pulled back. “I know. And it is…” He paused, fumbling for the word for a moment. “Appreciated.”
Jean buried her head in her hands. Of course, Diluc was the Darknight Hero. The vigilante who fought with Pyro, whom Kaeya had mysteriously failed to catch and hadn’t continued to pursue. Someone able to dodge the Knights’ patrol routes, who wasn’t a knight himself. She should’ve seen it for herself.
And now what? Diluc hadn’t exactly agreed to stop. He wouldn’t. She knew that without even seeing that burning resolution blazing in his eyes. So what could she do? She certainly wasn’t about to arrest him and asking him to join the Knights was laughable at best. Would she even be considering these things had it been anyone else besides him?
A calloused hand wrapped around her wrist, calling Jean’s attention back to him. Diluc looked at her with gentle eyes that reflected torment and concern. Mesmerizing . His mask lay on the desk between them. “For what it’s worth, I am sorry.” His whisper barely ruffled the silence as she allowed him to coax her hand into his. “I’ve put you in a difficult position. This… is why I didn’t tell you.”
“Why didn't you tell me?” She snatched her hand back. “Diluc, what were you thinking? I can’t… why did you… What do you expect me to do with this?” Her eyes burned as frustration and confusion bubbled in her chest.
“Whatever you feel is right.” He drew back, and stupidly, Jean wished he would have tried to take her hand again. It was so much colder without his blazing warmth. “I wanted you to have an easy week.” He let a mirthless chuckle escape as he walked around her desk. “Of course, that was the plan, but it seems that this…” He gestured vaguely into the air. “Brought far more stress than I intended. My apologies.”
He’d already apologized, but still. He hadn’t sworn off of it to her. Jean knew he’d be out there, the next night and the next. “Just… explain. Please.” She couldn’t bring herself to look at him.
Diluc drew in a ragged breath. “After what the Knights - Eroch - did to Father, I swore I’d never return. I know that he was ousted, but…” He paused and Jean turned to him, tears already welling in her eyes. The anguish scrawled over his face cast him even deeper in shadow, seemingly aging him before her eyes. She wished she could say something, anything, to wipe that pain from his brow, but he continued before she could figure out the words. “When I returned to Mondstadt and you were in charge…things changed. I missed it. When it was us. When we were younger and more carefree.”
His words dripped with bitterness and Jean couldn’t help the urge to squeeze his hands. To think that Diluc had actually entertained the idea of being a Knight again, after everything he went through, just for her sake? Guilt twisted her stomach in knots.
“No.” The word slipped out before she could stop it. Confusion etched into Diluc’s brow as he looked at her inquisitively, but just as silent as ever. She didn’t know how she managed to draw up the courage to speak, but she couldn’t let it stand. “No. Not for me.” She shook her head. “We both know why you left and I could never ask you to return on my behalf.”
“I know. You would never ask and the world isn’t that place anymore. But the thought never left. ” His voice dropped to a low murmur, as if he had to drag the words out of himself and Jean instinctively reached out to hold his head. Her fingers wove through thick locks as she carefully placed her thumb against his temple, waiting to soothe his discomfort.
He nuzzled so lightly into her touch that she almost missed it. The weight of his head pressed soundly against the palm of her hand, filling it whole. If she didn’t know him better, she’d miss the contentment in his sigh, even as he squeezed his eyes shut against the ache of his own words.
“It’s fine,” she cooed as she watched her fingers card through his fiery mane. The office fell into a comfortable stillness as Jean lost herself in the repetitive motion and the ghost of familiarity. Had Diluc’s hair always run down like soft waves? When they were younger, Jean remembered how on the worst of days, he had to fight with a comb for hours to tame his curls. On more than one occasion, she’d taken to helping him brush it out after a patrol.
But there was something far more electric between them this time. This wasn’t the same Diluc who ran after his father’s dreams. This wasn’t the same Diluc who laughed with her on patrols and got into mud fights when the maids weren’t looking. Had she ever truly looked at him after he returned? Or did she always claim to be too busy, relying on passing glances to assure herself that her childhood friend was still the same as ever? But was he really?
”What do you see?” Diluc’s velvet voice pulled her out of her reverie. The low rumble against her hand was its own drug and Jean felt far more drunk off of his words than the alcohol at Angel’s Share.
She flushed as her chest bloomed with emotions she tried to shove aside. Diluc’s face hovered barely a breath away from her own, his eyes an intoxicating crimson, laced with something she refused to identify. Her heart hammered loudly enough that she feared Diluc might hear it. Trying to steady her voice, she echoed, “What do I see?”
“Yes.” Diluc leaned a little further into her touch. “You’ve been looking for quite some time.”
”Have I?” Jean started to pull away but Diluc caught her wrist before she could.
”You have.” He placed her palm against his cheek and closed his eyes. “It’s alright if you do.” He turned his face toward her palm, his lips almost grazing her wrist as he breathed against her pulse, “I quite enjoy looking at you too.”
The heady murmur froze Jean in place as if he’d struck her with cryo. And yet the fire in his eyes was anything but cold. Her mind sluggishly tried to keep up with the implications of what he’d said, but it didn’t make sense. There was no way. Was there?
Diluc’s eyes closed as he leaned his cheek against her hand. When was the last time his jaw was slack, and his brow was free of worry-lines? Here, at peace, Diluc shed his burdens and looked his age for once, not like some seasoned businessman or weathered fighter. Someone her age, who deserved far more peace than he would ever see.
”Diluc?” She carefully whispered and ruby eyes fluttered open to meet hers. She sucked in a breath as they captivated her own. Jean wanted to fall into the fire and let it blaze around her, Diluc would keep her safe. But who would look after him in turn?
So, Jean began to run her thumb along the softest part of Diluc’s cheek, longing for it to be more than a comforting gesture, and weakly smiled, “Are you alright?”
“I am.” He spoke, low and sure, but his eyes grew soft around the edges and his lips pressed closed as if stopping himself from saying anything more. Jean watched as they parted once more, soft and lax, before realizing she’d probably been looking too long. Hoping she wouldn’t be accused of staring, she glanced back at his eyes. When she did, she found Diluc’s gaze fixed on her lips in return.
A lock of his hair tickled her cheek where it had fallen over his shoulder and Jean suddenly realized how close they were. Her spine tingled as his breath mingled with hers and she lost herself to the flush of his cheeks against his porcelain skin. Jean held her breath as she carefully tucked the hair back behind his ear. Their noses nearly brushed together as she did and Diluc’s head shifted slightly in her palm. Jean dragged her fingers slowly behind his ear, savoring the moment as she avoided his heavy gaze, hoping he wouldn’t notice how her hand trembled.
She let her fingers drag through the silky tuft as her hand returned to her lap. Her eyes followed the movement, keeping away from the temptation of touching Diluc any more than necessary. She balled her hand into a fist, urging the desire to go away.
A gentle squeeze of her wrist pulled Jean’s focus back to Diluc. Right, she still had a hand entangled in Diluc’s hair with his head resting in it. He firmly held her wrist, closing his eyes as he turned his head to press his lips against the base of her palm. “I hope this is alright.” His eyes flicked up to hers as he mumbled against her skin and kissed again.
“Mhm,” Jean’s voice squeaked as she barely managed to let out the affirmation without combusting on the spot. Was this really happening?
Diluc’s plush lips and hot breath made the whole experience hard to mistake for anything but reality. Jean had never felt such a heat seep into her skin, dreaming or awake. There was no mistake. They were, in fact, in her office, in the wee hours of the night, lit only by the moonlight and a flickering candle. All the while Jean’s childhood crush softly pecked his way down the length of her forearm toward her elbow.
After laying a final kiss in the crook of her arm, Diluc placed it back in her lap and rose from where he hovered over her. She didn’t know what she’d find in his eyes or what would escape if she met them. So, she cast her gaze away.
Diluc softly sighed, breaking the spell between them. “I apologize if I caused any discomfort.”
“No! No, no no.” Jean leaned forward, reaching out. “I–” Her throat closed. If she admitted her feelings, it would change everything. The Uncrowned King of Mondstadt and the Acting Grandmaster couldn’t afford a rift between them. Not as nobility, nor as a unified front dedicated to protecting Mondstadt. Possibilities ran through her mind, potential outcomes, potential failures, but at the end, there was really only one conclusion. I want him to touch me like that again. And the best way for that to happen would be confessing her own hidden emotions.
So, Jean rolled her shoulders back with a steadying breath and looked Diluc in the eye. “I really want you to do that again.”
“You do?” He quirked an eyebrow at her.
“Yes, I do.” She gripped onto his wrist a little tighter, trying to find her nerve to be a bit more daring as she admitted. “I’ve wanted you to for a long time.”
“You have?” Diluc’s eyes flicked over her face, searching for what, she didn’t know.
“Yes…” She ran her thumb nervously across the soft skin of Diluc’s forearm. “In fact,” she glanced at the bookshelf behind him, too anxious to meet his eye, and whispered. “I’ve wanted you to kiss more of me.”
Diluc’s calloused hand found hers again as he drew it to his lips once more and pressed a tender kiss across her knuckles. He smiled, “Where else might you desire to be kissed?” And Jean’s ears rang as she started to see stars.
Had he really just asked her that? Was Diluc really willing to kiss her again? She didn’t have the nerve to say it, but she pointed timidly at her lips and Diluc pulled her in.
His rough palm grazed under her jaw as he tilted her head to meet his and their lips pressed together. Like the flutter of a butterfly’s wings, their lips brushed softly, tenderly, experimentally against one another’s in their dance of finding flight. Each one intoxicated Jean more and more until the need to touch became overwhelming.
Her hands found their way into Diluc’s cape, clutching the fabric as she whispered against his lips, “More.”
The word seemed to light a fire inside of Diluc. The hand that had been cradling her chin gently moved to her chair, gripping the wood until Jean thought she heard a crack. With his other hand, Diluc used his index finger to tilt her chin up at a more drastic angle and kissed her with an intensity Jean never believed she could be on the receiving end of.
His lips parted a little wider, coaxing her to join him in open mouth kisses and finding a rhythm they both enjoyed. But, just as Jean found herself lost in him, he pulled away, breathless. They sat in silence for a moment, panting, before Diluc spoke up, “As much as I’d rather stay here doing this all night, you should get home.”
He pulled Jean to her feet and removed his cloak to wrap around her. “It’s cool tonight. Allow me to walk you home.”
Jean pulled the fabric a little tighter around her, comforted by its warm embrace that smelled faintly of wine and wood. With a nod, she agreed.
Diluc blew out her desk candle and grabbed his mask, stuffing it in his pocket, before gesturing for her to walk toward the door. Jean walked slowly, a bit dejected that he hadn’t reached for her hand. She wanted to hold his, but did he not want to hold hers? She tried not to think about it too much as she stepped through the threshold, telling herself she was grateful he even wanted to walk her home. But, before they made it to the front doors, Diluc stopped her.
He pulled the collar of the cloak tightly around her neck then bundled the front and handed her the fabric to hold closed. With a light squeeze to her biceps, one side of his lip quirked up. “As much as I’d prefer to properly walk you home, you should stay bundled up. The air has only grown colder since dusk.”
So, he did want to hold her hand. He just cared about her comfort more. “Thank you.” Jean shyly smiled as he took up the place beside her.
Stepping in line with her, he gestured toward the door. “Shall we?”
*🌼*🔥*🌼*
As they reached the doorsteps of Jean’s home, she turned to Diluc. “Thank you for walking me home.”
“It was my pleasure.” He lightly bowed as he stood opposite of her.
She twiddled the strings on the cloak as she rolled over in her mind how she might ask him for a goodnight kiss. The atmosphere had been quiet and secluded back at her office, but out here..? The chirping nightlife filled the air and the threat of wandering drunkards and neighboring houses loomed over them. She hesitated to ask for something so new and personal out in the open like this, but…
“Is something on your mind?”
“Why do you ask?”
Diluc pointed to her fidgeting hands. “You only play with your hands when you’re nervous about asking something.” To which, Jean quickly tucked them away at her sides.
“No, I don’t.” She weakly retorted.
“You do.” He stepped closer. “But you need only ask.”
She rolled her thumbs over themselves behind her back, trying to calm herself as she tried to resist the urge to clasp them together entirely. Jean wished she had more liquid courage right about now. Fighting the kaleidoscope of butterflies in her stomach, she asked, “Will you kiss me goodnight?”
Diluc put his hand inside the cloak, wrapping his arm around her waist, and pulled her closer. With their bodies pressed flush against one another, he kissed her forehead. “Only if you want me to.”
Under the soft glow of the front porch lamp, Diluc’s eyes almost smoldered with their own firelight. Would she ever get used to this? At this rate, she never would, but she’d savor every unbelievable moment with him regardless. So, she reached up and tucked a stray hair behind his ear and let her hand fall against his chest, warm and strong. “Of course I want you to.” She smiled.
Diluc’s arm pulled her tighter, fusing every part of her against himself as he carded his hand into her hair, pulling at the roots. He wanted her just as much as she wanted him, and he kissed her deep and full, leaving no room for question in regard to his feelings.
It was one kiss, but a thousand words somehow passed between them in that moment and Jean couldn’t help feeling breathless as they parted. Judging by the way Diluc’s chest heaved, he fared no better. “This is goodnight, then.” She untied the cloak, returning it to him.
He took it with a nod of thanks and draped it over his arm. “This is goodnight. But before I go, I’d like to invite you to lunch at the Dawn Winery with me tomorrow. If you would be amenable?”
“Of course, Diluc. I would be honored.” She smiled and let herself inside.
Once the door clicked closed behind her, Jean leaned against it elated at the events from that evening, and reran every moment at least three times over back to herself. All of that had really happened and she was set to have lunch with Diluc tomorrow. She giggled to herself, “I guess it was a happy birthday indeed.”