Chapter Text
Diluc’s boots sank into the familiar mud of home as he hopped off his horse. He gave his loyal companion a gentle pet on the bridge of her nose. Nicole had always been a regal and gentle companion, if animals were capable of understanding human feelings, she sure did. Diluc led her into the stable, tying her up gently. He wiped some suspiciously red mud off of his hands and paused.
He hadn’t seen Adelinde in months, what would she think of him? It was a frightening thought, one Diluc wished to run away from. That was always the easiest solution, running away. Maybe he could face her in the morning. Perhaps then he could tolerate the horror on her face. He was as bad as the Fatui, wasn’t he? The man looked over as Nicole laid down. He sat down and used her as a back rest, like they’d done for most of their journey. Diluc was exhausted, his eyes heavy with grief and regret of his failed mission. He fell asleep almost immediately.
But it wasn’t a pleasant sleep. Nightmares plagued him of that night he had last traveled this road. Over and over again his father died in the rain by his hands. Over and over again he tried doing something different in his dream to prevent that outcome. Nothing worked. Everything ended in his father bleeding out in his arms from a sword wound. A wound which Diluc inflicted himself with a sword the Knights gave him.
He awoke with unwelcome tears on his face as the birds chirped in the morning light. He wiped them away with shaking hands, looking over as Nicole nuzzled him, “Hey girl,” he whispered, standing up. He could face her. She’d look at him with horror… and he’d deserve that. He could take it.
Diluc walked up the pathway through the rows of grapes to the manor, slipping inside quietly, “Adelinde!” He called.
Movement instantly halted for a moment before Adelinde came rushing into the main room. She looked as bad as he did. Sure, she had no physical scars, but Diluc could see it in her eyes that her whole life had been uprooted. Adelinde hurried over and embraced him with tears, stepping back a moment to gently cup his face. “Sweetheart- you came home!” She sobbed out, hugging him again.
Diluc hugged her back, his last remaining family, even if it wasn’t truly by blood.
“I missed you” he mumbled, “I’m sorry I left with only a note.”
“Well you better be sorry! I was worried sick!” She bopped him on the head. Diluc couldn’t help but chuckle, same old Adelinde, same old Winery, though the wind had a different feel. Son who had lost his father, and the father’s widow, together once more. Adelinde continued, “You’d better head to the city, there are many waiting on your return.”
Diluc grimaced. To shun him, no doubt. But if it was Adelinde’s wishes, he’d tough it out.
“Allow me to wash up a bit, then I’ll head down. Thank you, Adelinde.” The young master walked up to the room he and his brother once shared, pausing when the usual mess on one side of the room wasn’t there. A bare bed, desk swept off, the sunlight through the window showing every speck of dust that hadn’t been disturbed for months now. He’d expected Kaeya to be gone by now. But actually seeing it made him feel horrible. Diluc cleared his throat and turned his back to that side of the room, choosing to ignore it as he got ready.
But voices mumbled in his head. He closed his eyes while tying his tie and saw his hawk of flame descending on his brother. No, he couldn’t go to the city, not yet. Diluc walked to his father’s office that was coated in dust—his office now. Diluc sat down in the fine velvet chair, running his hand down the arm rest. Diluc took the Delusion off of his hand hesitantly and placed it in the wooden box, stashing it in the desk drawer. He hoped it would gain a layer of dust.