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The cream sheets wrinkled beneath your body as you writhed in immense pain. You clutched your abdomen and folded over yourself, groaning in an embarrassing manner.
It was that time of the month; your period. When blood wasn’t the issue, but your extremely debilitating cramps that often left you bedridden for a week. Your schedule was often irregular, and it just had to happen when you were collecting Philanemo mushrooms around Dawn Winery.
It was any other day as the Traveller in Mondstadt, and you were harvesting ingredients for Paimon’s new craving when the first cramp mercilessly stung you on your side. Your knees gave way immediately, and the basket full of mushrooms tumbled in front of you. Your vision started blurring and fizzing out, the pain seeping through your limbs uncontrollably.
You didn’t remember anything after that, except that somehow you ended up in Dawn Winery in someone else’s bed, with only your cramps to accompany you. It didn’t take much effort to predict who brought you here. Diluc. That handsome, reserved bartender who had recently taken a liking to high ponytails. Perhaps Kaeya made a comment on his horrible fashion sense, for his new outfit represented him perfectly.
These thoughts were fleeting, quickly dissipating at another cramp riding in your stomach. You inhaled, pain cutting through your torso. The door handle rattled, but you couldn’t get yourself to turn your head to see who it was.
“Lumine.”
A dark, husky voice called your name softly, laced with deep concern and tenderness.
Slowly, you craned your neck to look at him. His vibrant red locks fell perfectly around his face. In his hand, he held into a plastic bag, filled with various items you could not make out.
Without much warning, he made long strides over to the bed and began unboxing a box of pills, a package of pads, and dark chocolate. He placed these items on the bedside table and crouched down to level his eyes with yours.
Using the utmost effort, you managed to let out a word of gratitude.
“Thank you.. Diluc.” With every word, more cramps began to pinch at your sides, your insides feeling like they were about to implode. You squinted to try and ward it off, and just when you were about to close your hand into a fist, something stopped it.
Diluc’s hand was cradled within yours, his eyes reflecting worry and helplessness. “No need for thanks. Do you need anything besides what I purchased?”
You quickly scanned the items sprawled out on the desk, and hesitantly began to make a request..
“Do you have a.. heating pad?” Ugh, Diluc was nice enough to bring you inside his quarters, spend money on stuff for you, and now you wanted more? How embarrassing. A light pink flushed on your face.
A beat of silence passed. He was obviously thinking very hard.
The silence was killing you. You were about to utter an apology when he intervened.
“I..” He cleared his throat. “I can use my Vision to.. warm your stomach. I do not have a tangible heating pad…” Embarrassment was evident on his face also.
Amusement led a small smile to curl on your lips.
A quiet giggle escaped you, a sound to which Diluc was surprised by.
“If you really think it’ll work, then sure.” Talking was a bit easier now, and the pain had subsided a little, but you weren’t gonna let this opportunity pass!
He rose, cautiously, watching your every expression, as he settled himself on the bed next to you and gestured to his lap. You knew that he wasn’t up to anything fishy, but the thought of resting between his legs still made your ears flush red. All you could do is hope he didn’t notice.
Trying to replicate his calm and nonchalant demeanor, you silently pulled yourself onto him, moving carefully as to avoid further cramps. You nestled between his knees, your back facing his chest. His warm breath danced on the top of your head. Slowly, Diluc embraced your lower stomach and concentrated his Pyro powers into his palms, making sure not to squeeze you too tightly. His head peered over the crook of your neck as he wanted to watch where his hands were going to avoid loss of dignity. Thank Archon he couldn’t see your face.
“Is this fine, Lumine?” His raspy voice sung your name with ease. “Too warm?”
“Ah.. no, it’s perfect.” You turned your head slightly and gave him a small smile of contentment.
Gradually, his palms got hotter, soothing the pain that had made you pass out just hours ago. His touch was caring and light, almost as if you were a sacred relic that would break if he grabbed it too hard. His breath hitched every time you moved, so you resolved to awkwardly being as stiff as a board.
You could feel it. Diluc was nodding off. His forehead was so close to resting upon the back of your shoulder, and you both were aware of it. Unintentionally, his arms had snaked tighter around you out of longing. A few moments later, his breaths quieted and evened out, and his forehead gently descended into the crook of your neck. A soft snore was barely audible, but told you of his pent-up exhaustion. Pyro still pulsed from his fingertips, slowly pulling you into fatigue too.
The tranquility and serenity warmed a deeper part of your heart, filling your body with calm joy and acceptance.
You whispered an ever-so-silent Thank you and drifted into slumber. A new feeling bloomed in your chest, but you only had enough energy to relish in this simple happiness and act of love.
Actions spoke louder than words, and Diluc practically embodied that phrase. He carefully opened his eyes and gently placed you down into the sheets. He hadn’t let himself sleep until he knew youwere asleep. With a quick pull, the bedside lamp flicked off, and he lay beside you with a smile plastered on his face.
Copying your silence, he whispered an I love you. and closed his eyes.