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Diluc did not make friends with vampires. He had dedicated his life to killing the very monsters that had taken his father away from him, an act that he hoped would prevent further tragedies from happening again. He was steadfast in his goal of wiping out every bloodsucker from the face of Teyvat, so why, he wondered, did he let himself grow so attached to one. It didn’t help that the vampire in question was…cute.
No, cute wasn’t the word Diluc would use, could use. He had seen this creature tear out a mans throat with no hesitation, seen the hunger in his eyes, there was nothing cute about him, but seeing Childe curled up on his bed next to him, peaceful and almost vulnerable, Diluc could almost mistake him for a human if he hadn’t known any better.
When had he gotten so soft…
Diluc shifted to get up, Childe groaned and gently grabbing Diluc’s arm. He should have realized that Childe wasn’t really asleep. Vampires didn’t sleep, not really, but Childe was willing to pretend if it made Diluc more comfortable, it was almost sweet. Diluc really needed to get these thoughts out of his head.
“Come back,” Childe was pouting at him, honest to gods pouting at him.
“I have work to do,” Diluc said rubbing his eyes, “I can’t,”
Childe really wasn’t having none of it though, “Human’s live such short lives and you’re worrying about work? You only slept for like what? 4 hours? You need sleep, Come back to bed.”
”You’re making a lot of demands of me, I know how to kill you, you know,” There was no bite to his words, but he said them anyways.
“As if you actually could,” Childe grinned at him and Diluc could see his fangs so clearly, and he was reminded just how over his head he had gotten letting a vampire into his home, or trusting one for that matter. Diluc layed back down on the bed anyways, if he was really honest with himself, he didn’t want to get up either, there was no point fighting him.
Childe immediately got comfortable by his side, his skin was cold like you would expect but not unbearable, Diluc didn’t really mind. He normally ran hot so the chill was almost relaxing, Gods, He had gotten so disgustingly soft.
They laid like that for a while, Childe rubbing soft circles on Diluc’s skin. It was…nice.
“If I could keep you forever, I would.” Childe mumbled into his hair. He held Diluc close like he was something special, something fragile, like he was worried he would break him if he squeezed too hard, but firm enough like he was worried that Diluc would disappear if he didn’t.
Diluc was aware of Childe’s past, of what he lost. Vampires lived for a long time, it was not uncommon for them to outlive their loved ones. Childe liked to talk about his family, the family he had before, back when he was still human. They were long dead, having died of old age and other causes. Childe didn’t like to talk about that part as much, but he did talk about his old siblings, how he’d leave them gifts even after he had turned and how proud he was watching them grow up, and grow old. He wonders how he could bear it, the grief. How Childe seemed to move on so easily from it all. Diluc himself was familiar with grief, he knew it got easier, but it never did leave. It was for this reason, Diluc supposed, that he trusted Childe against his better judgment. Their grief felt similar and because of that, there were times, slivers even, where Diluc could pretend Childe was still human. Sometimes he wonders if Childe pretends he’s still human too.
Diluc hummed, running his fingers through Childe’s hair, taking in how soft it felt against his hand. A traitorous thought found it’s way inside his head, and Diluc said it before thinking against it
“You know, you could if you wanted too,” He says, almost as a whisper, “you could turn me,”
Diluc wonders if that thought ever ran through the others head, if that was the ulterior motive behind staying around Diluc despite knowing full well what his thoughts on vampires were. To lower Diluc’s guard, get him to trust Childe before going for the final bite and trapping Diluc in this world with him. Diluc wasn’t weak but he knew, if Childe had really wanted to, he wouldn’t be able to stop him.
He felt Childe shake his head, nuzzling into Diluc’s neck, and for a moment Diluc found himself stiffening “You wouldn’t want that, I know you.”
Diluc let himself relax again, it was easy around Childe. The thought that he was just letting Diluc lower his guard wouldn’t leave him, Diluc didn’t think it ever would, but for a moment he let himself have this, if nothing else. It was nice, having Childe hold him like this..
Childe held him tighter, and Diluc hazard a look at him. There was a small smile on his face and a rare shine in his otherwise dead eyes, “You would make a good vampire though,” Childe said, “You have the look down and everything,”
”Unbelievable,” Diluc huffed but he didn’t make a move to leave
“Can you blame me? Look at you, you’re absolutely vampire material.”
“I kill vampires like you”
“Doesn’t mean you couldn’t be one”
Diluc paused, He knew he had brought it up, but the idea of being like Childe left him with a chill that had nothing to do with the body next to him. Diluc may have let a vampire into his home, into his bed, but he couldn’t completely contain the fear that it left in him. In this world, it was a privilege to die human, not everyone got that privilege, not even the man next to him, and Diluc would be damned if he let himself die any other way. He didn’t want to become a vampire, he hated them, but there was a small voice in his head that said he wouldn’t mind it as long as it was Childe who did it. It was that thought that scared him the most.
Childe must’ve felt his discomfort because he pulled away. Diluc missed the closeness. “Sorry,” Childe apologized, “Went to far,”
Diluc wanted to comfort him, tell him it wasn’t his fault, really. Anything to bring Childe back next to him, but he didn’t, instead he said, “You wouldn’t do that, would you?”
It was a painfully weak question, part of Diluc was apprehensive to even be showing this vulnerability to childe. He did anyways, he always did whenever Childe was around.
“No,” Childe said softly, “Never, not unless you ask me too”
”I won't,” Diluc said, and if it was too fast or forced than normal, Childe didn't comment on it
“Then there’s nothing to worry about,” Childe smiled at him, but he didn’t move closer. It was Diluc’s turn to pout it would seem
“Come back, I'm not done cuddling you.”
Childe laughed, “Ah the big bad vampire hunter wants cuddles from the very monster he hunts now, does he?”
“Just shut up and come here please. I'm too warm.”
Childe laughed again, but he did as he was told, snuggling up next to him, Diluc held him close. The future was uncertain and he didn’t know if this was a good idea, almost certain that it wasn't, but at this moment he didn't care. He was willing to trust Childe, even if only for today as he felt himself drift off back to sleep. And besides, Childe had been right about one thing. The work really could wait.