Work Text:
Warm air smacked you in the face as you opened the Knights of Favonius doors and stepped outside. You gazed up at the sun rolling over the hills into the ocean beyond - despite the moon creeping up the sky, the summer heat had yet to surrender to the chill of night.
Your feet whined silently as you made your way through the city, groaning at you to sit down for the first time since morning. Unfortunately, there was still quite the journey to go. At least, you thought to yourself, it’s pretty quiet. It was to be expected - on a weekday night, hardly any Mondstadtian wanted to be wandering the streets. It made days like these easier on your already pounding head.
Nearly an hour’s journey lead you home - unlike a certain traveler, you refused to haphazardly swim through Cider Lake, so you couldn’t simply get to the heart of Wolvendom in a measly twenty minutes.
But relief washed over you like the humid air when you saw the large doors to your home. You’ve finally made it. Before you even reached the porch, your mind filled with cozy images - the warmth of a freshly drawn bath, your soft bed, and most of all: the longest sleep of your life. You were going to need it after the day you’d had, so you sent a prayer to Barbatos that nobody would try to call you in on your off day tomorrow.
As your hand blanketed the cool handle of the manor entrance, you heard a voice call out to you.
”Are you back for the night?” Diluc flashed a soft smile as he approached the steps.
”If I wasn’t, I may have to quit on principle of the ungodly hours.” Your reply was intended as a a joke, but something flashed across Diluc’s face that didn’t fully agree.
”That may not be the worst idea.”
You almost verbally sighed. Diluc wasn’t exactly subtle about disliking your occupation, but you weren’t so willing to casually give up your only source of income. As many times as he insisted he could provide for the both of you, it just didn’t feel right to give him all of the financial burden.
Choosing not to open that can of worms, you opened the door and entered the manor. Adelinede called out a welcome from the kitchen, and you returned a greeting as you bee-lined for the stairs. Diluc followed your trail into your shared bedroom.
As you sat on the bed and began to take off unnecessary layers, Diluc stripped his coat and gloves and laid them over a nearby chair. As you revealed your arms, he hissed in an inhale at the small injuries you’d obtained today.
“Are you alright?” He made his way over and carefully took one of your arms into his hand. “Where did you get so many cuts?”
You winced when he rubbed a finger over one of the scrapes, and he backed off meekly. “Just a couple Hilichurl camps I had to take care of.”
”I’ll help dress them.” He released you and turned for the bathroom, but stopped when you spoke.
”I want to bathe.”
He nodded. “After, then. I’ll draw it for you.”
”You’re too kind.”
Diluc waved off your platitude as he exited the room. “Not at all.”
After a few minutes, he came to fetch you. You picked out a pair of pajamas for the night - your most comfortable pair to aid with resting off the day - and headed to where the warm water was waiting.
The bath felt amazing - it always did after long work days. The water was almost hot enough to burn while still being incredibly soothing, just the way you liked it; you sunk down to your chin for full effect.
Once you were clean, you slipped on your pajamas and headed back to the bedroom. Adelinde was setting down a tray when you entered, so she offered you a smile before leaving you and Diluc be.
“I called for refreshments,” Diluc explained and picked up a piece of cheese from the small charcuterie board on the tray. You reached for a drink, only now realizing how parched you were. One of the cups was your favorite color, so you assumed it was yours, and the cooling taste of your favorite fruit juice confirmed it. A contented hum left your lips as you sat back against the mattress and closed your eyes to take in the chilled indoor air.
You opened them soon after, though, when you felt something icy on your arm. Diluc was crouched before you, rubbing an ointment into your wounds. It felt nice, so you just continued to enjoy your drink.
”How was your day?” You asked. “You aren’t usually out at this time of evening.”
”Just a last-minute meeting.” Diluc pressed his lips unimpressedly. “One of our trading partners has a history of scheduling things with little notice.”
”That’s pretty rude,” you commented off-handedly and reached for a cracker.
”It is. If the quality of his services wasn’t above all his competitors’, I would have cut relations with him long ago.”
Uninterrupted, Diluc went on about the details of the business partner’s peskiness for a few minutes. Soon, the board was finished, and when you lifted your cup there was nothing left to sip. As your idle chatter winded down and a yawn slipped through. Diluc commented on the time and excused himself to get changed, and you slipped under the blankets to get comfortable. Your partner soon joined you and pulled you close. Wrapping his arms around you from behind, he held you firmly against his torso and stuffed his head into the crook of your neck.
”Night,” you muttered, already drifting from reality.
”Night.”