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Sitting alone in the Angels Share, a certain blonde haired man stared idly at the table where he sat.
It had been a long day. A long day of following the Abyss Orders' trail and eradicating all monsters that he laid his eyes upon.
A long day?
His brows furrowed.
Day? Days? Weeks? He could no longer recall how long he'd been chasing them down, but it mattered not. Time mattered not to him.
Time?
She did not smile upon him. Neither time, nor space, life, reason and certainly not death.
They all laughed at the likes of he.
It was funny - at a certain stage in his life, long ago, time had been something he'd wanted more of, time to do many things, achieve and see so much more. But now? He had too much of it. Too much to spare.
Such was the life of an immortal.
And yet, despite being an immortal, that did not mean that neglecting his health was not having a negative effect on him.
His limbs felt weak. He was hungry. Tired. And yet, because of how late it was, the only place for him to turn to was the Angels Share.
𝘚𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘭𝘺, 𝘋𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘭𝘦𝘪𝘧 𝘥𝘳𝘢𝘨𝘨𝘦𝘥 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘵 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘯.
𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘸𝘯𝘦𝘳, 𝘢 𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘩𝘢𝘪𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘱𝘪𝘦𝘳𝘤𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘦𝘺𝘦𝘴 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘪𝘮 𝘤𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘰𝘶𝘴𝘭𝘺. 𝘈 𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘨𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘧𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘥 𝘶𝘱𝘰𝘯 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘦.
𝘋𝘪𝘥 𝘩𝘦 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘩𝘪𝘮?
𝘋𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘭𝘦𝘪𝘧 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘰𝘰 𝘵𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘭.
“𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘥𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦,” 𝘋𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘭𝘦𝘪𝘧 𝘮𝘶𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥, 𝘣𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘢 𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘣𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘦𝘯.
𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘩𝘢𝘪𝘳 𝘯𝘰𝘥𝘥𝘦𝘥, 𝘣𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘸𝘪𝘧𝘵𝘭𝘺 𝘮𝘪𝘹𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘣𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦.
𝘞𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘭𝘺, 𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘴 𝘥𝘰𝘸𝘯.
𝘌𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘰 𝘥𝘳𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘶𝘯𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴, 𝘋𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘭𝘦𝘪𝘧 𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘤𝘬𝘭𝘺 𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘣𝘣𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘴, 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘭𝘺 𝘣𝘳𝘶𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘥𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘴 𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘶𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴.
“...”
“...”
𝘕𝘦𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘢𝘪𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨. 𝘈𝘴 𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘤𝘬𝘭𝘺 𝘢𝘴 𝘋𝘪𝘭𝘶𝘤 𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦, 𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘥, 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘣𝘦𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳.
𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘺𝘦𝘵, 𝘋𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘭𝘦𝘪𝘧 𝘴𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘣𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘧 𝘵𝘰𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘰𝘧 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘵 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘰𝘸𝘯.
He shook his head, despite the warmth that was beginning to bloom in his chest. "Now is not the time for such distractions. I must figure out what the Abyss Order is trying to do here in Mondstadt,"
So he said.
But, his mind, his tired, poor mind, could not focus. His gaze kept drifting back to where their fingers had brushed against each other. And the more he stared, the more warm he began to feel.
"It must be the alcohol," he told himself, trying to look anywhere but at his hand.
It was futile.
"This is quite unlike myself—"
"Excuse me," a voice cut through his thoughts.
"Hm?" Dainsleif hummed, turning his head to look at the man who stood before him once more.
The man in question looked quite exasperated. And, now that he thought about it, it was rather quiet.
Looking around, he realized he was the last person left in the tavern.
"Are you closed?" Dainsleif finally found his voice.
"Yes. You've been staring at your hand for the past two hours." Diluc explained.
"..!"
Had he? He didn't even realize. Perhaps it was time that he began taking better care of himself.
Dainsleif sighed deeply. "My apologies. I hadn't realized that it had gotten so late.."
"That much I think I could tell," Diluc paused, inspecting the tired way in which Dainsleif carried himself, "Although, you surprised me today when you chose not to mix your own drinks. You look worse for wear."
Dainsleif chuckled softly, a pained and tired sound. Nothing ever escaped this mans gaze. "And in saying that, you would not be wrong."
Diluc raised a brow, clearly not satisfied with Dainsleifs short answer.
And so, he gave in under the scrutiny of Diluc's gaze. After all, telling him would do no harm, if all he meant to do was protect Mondstadt.
"The Abyss Order. I've been following their trail all over Mondstadt. I.. merely lost track of time while doing so. Whether it be a day or days I'd been chasing them is unclear and irrelevant to me. That's all there is to it."
Another brief period of silence.
"Well then, if you're truly curious, I think you should know that it must've been well over a week. I do recall seeing you wandering around somewhere last week.."
Dainsleif's eyes widened in surprise. "A week? Are you being serious?"
"For all I know, it could have been longer than just a week, but yes. And for that, you have my thanks. Whether it be your intention or not, you did something to protect Mondstadt. So, I suppose the least I could is let your drink be on the house."
Dainsleif nodded weakly. A whole week? No wonder he felt so absolutely sluggish. A week without eating anything, no sleep.. Without the curse of immortality, he would have surely dropped dead on the spot by now. How hadn't he realized it'd been so long, anyway?
And so, all Dainsleif could muster was a simple, "Thank you,"
"Hm. And in any case, I meant to thank you a bit earlier. I heard from someone else that you've been assisting in annihilating the abyss in various locations. It'd seem as though you have a personal fight with it."
Dainsleif forced himself to meet Diluc's gaze. Heated. Judging. Expectant. A look that said, ‘don't you dare disappoint me.’ A look that somehow made him feel like he absolutely had to tell him. And yet, somehow, it was gentle all the same. It brought back that warmth that he felt in his chest earlier. A caring look. Did this man care for him? Did he even know him? What was that about annihilating the abyss? Thanks? Everything flew right over his head. This—
"It seems that not sleeping for over a week is catching up to you." Diluc commented.
Dainsleif shook his head, realizing that he'd been staring. Unintentionally, of course.
"My apologies, er.. Sir Diluc," he spoke quietly. Sir Diluc? What's up with that? What was he even talking about? He really 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 needed to go to bed now. Like this couldn't get any more embarrassing or awkward.
"I.. A- about what you were saying earlier.." He began, trying to change the conversations topic, "What gave it away? It's my eyes, isn't it?"
Diluc was silent for a while. "So, you hail from the ancient kingdom of Khaenri'ah. I suppose that in itself explains the hatred you bear towards the abyss." Diluc commented, then shook his head.
"It's not like me to pry, and it's not any of my business, anyway. I won't ask any further. Your goals don't conflict with mine, nor do they pose a threat to Mondstadt, so I will leave you be."
Oh? So soon? Admittedly, Dainsleif found himself feeling a bit sad that his conversation with the redhead was coming to a close. Despite himself, he found himself wishing Diluc would ask him more. It would feel good to finally unload all of his burdens, especially to someone who wouldn't talk too much, and yet, he found himself feeling equally content since he was far too tired to act and think rationally.
Suddenly, he felt very dizzy. And lightheaded. Why was everything starting to look so dark?
"Are you.."
Huh? Was Diluc asking him something? He couldn't tell.
Suddenly, he felt two firm hands keep him upright just as his entire body untensed. They were warm and gentle, twitching slightly as if unsure that their touch was welcome.
Warm. They were warm. Warm like that fuzzy feeling he felt inside his chest.
He could almost just fall asleep under their touch.
Oh, that's right. That was what was happening, wasn't it? He was fainting out of sheer exhaustion.
Usually, something like this would have never happened. Could have never happened. Yet, somehow, his body felt safe enough to fall unconscious next to this man.
"Dainsleif?" Diluc called out, yet his body only slumped further, until he finally released him to lay on the table gently.
"..."
A ghost of a smile played on Dainsleif's lips, his breathing slowly beginning to even out. His hands lay loosely at his sides, fingers untensed, eyes finally closed.
It tugged at Diluc's heart. He had to admit that he hadn't anticipated that Dainsleif would faint outright, right in front of him no less, but he supposed he shouldn't have been too surprised. He'd wandered the realm for half a millenia, and clearly hadn't been taking care of himself as of late, so it was to be expected.
.
.
.
Well actually, no, it wasn't.
What was he supposed to do?
Leaving him here was out of the question. And, Diluc didn't have the heart to just throw him out on the streets. He deserved so much better than that, did he not?
"The Cathedral.." He mumbled quietly, before shaking his head. The notion was ridiculous. Somehow, he got the feeling that sending him into the cathedral will only do more harm than good to him.
So, then, that obviously only left one place.
The Dawn Winery.
Diluc shook his head. Why was he overthinking this so much? Why was he prioritizing the comfort of this man so much?
But at the same time, how could he not? Diluc had to admit that he did respect Dainsleif. Even after 500 years, his will to defeat the Abyss still stood strong and unwavering.. Quite the attracti- commendable, yes, commendable feat!
Right. It was nothing more than respect. He'd take him back to the Winery, no big deal! It's not like he hadn't had guests there before.
Slowly, he hoisted the unconscious man onto his back. Surprisingly, he did not rouse from his slumber.
"You'd definitely ought to take better care of yourself," Diluc whispered, making his way towards the door of the tavern.
——
The birds chirped softly outside as the day progressed onwards, and it was then that Dainsleif knew he must wake up.
Opening his eyes, the blonde tiredly gazed up at the ceiling above him. For a good few minutes, he lay there motionless, as if registering what was going on. The warmth of the bed and sheets around him, the luxurious decor around the room, the birds chirping..
"Where.." He groaned as he pushed himself up in the bed, but quickly stopped himself, suddenly remembering last nights events.
"Oh."
What was wrong with him? In all his 500 years of living, never before had he ever felt.. this way towards someone. It was an odd feeling, and he didn't know how to describe it.
He quickly swallowed those feelings down and decided to inspect the room he was in. It didn't take a genius to figure out where he was, but he had to admit that he felt rather out of place in such an extravagant room.
But, alas, he couldn't stay here forever, as comfortable as the bed may be. The curtains could hardly keep the sunlight out the room anymore, so if he had to guess, he must've been sleeping for a really long time. Slowly and reluctantly, he got off the bed, and felt his feet touch the cool floorboards.
He frowned, feeling a wave of fatigue wash over him.
"So, this is the price I must pay for neglecting my health.." He sighed heavily, and began making his way towards the window.
Pulling the curtains open, he gazed outside and into the sight below. Master Diluc and a few other workers were in the yard, harvesting the ripe grapes.
He did not know how long he stood there, watching their every moves, but apparently he watched long enough for Diluc to notice.
"𝘐𝘵 𝘴𝘦𝘦𝘮𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘶𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘔𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘣𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘢 𝘧𝘦𝘸 𝘥𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘢𝘨𝘰 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘸𝘰𝘬𝘦𝘯 𝘶𝘱," 𝘖𝘯𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳, 𝘩𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳, 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘰𝘯 𝘴𝘢𝘪𝘥 𝘔𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴' 𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴.
"𝘖𝘩? 𝘏𝘰𝘸 𝘥𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸?" 𝘋𝘪𝘭𝘶𝘤 𝘢𝘴𝘬𝘦𝘥, 𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘸𝘰.
"𝘌𝘳𝘳, 𝘸𝘦𝘭𝘭, 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘦𝘦.. 𝘏𝘦'𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘸𝘢𝘵𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘶𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘣𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘵 10 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘶𝘵𝘦𝘴.."
𝘋𝘪𝘭𝘶𝘤 𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘢 𝘣𝘳𝘰𝘸 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘦𝘥, 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘣𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘰𝘸 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘋𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘭𝘦𝘪𝘧, 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘵 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮.
"𝘚𝘰, 𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘴." 𝘋𝘪𝘭𝘶𝘤 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘥, 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘦. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘦𝘺𝘦𝘴 𝘮𝘢𝘥𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘤𝘵, 𝘋𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘭𝘦𝘪𝘧 𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘤𝘬𝘭𝘺 𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘦𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘶𝘳𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘰𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦.
"𝘐 𝘴𝘦𝘦," 𝘋𝘪𝘭𝘶𝘤 𝘮𝘶𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘪𝘮𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧, 𝘢 𝘴𝘮𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘣𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘦𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘴𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮 𝘰𝘯 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘱𝘴.
"𝘐𝘴 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘶𝘯𝘯𝘺, 𝘔𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘋𝘪𝘭𝘶𝘤?" 𝘖𝘯𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘢𝘴𝘬𝘦𝘥 𝘤𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘰𝘶𝘴𝘭𝘺.
"𝘖𝘩, 𝘪𝘵'𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨. 𝘓𝘦𝘵'𝘴 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘴𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴, 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘸𝘦?"
"Ahem," Dainsleif cleared his throat, feeling his blood rush straight to his entire face, effectively turning it an adorable, delicate pink.
"I.. was just caught off guard!" He defended to nobody in particular, flopping back onto the bed and hiding his face straight into the pillow.
"Or alternatively, I'm embarrassed.." He added quietly, slowly looking up from his pillow.
To make matters even worse (or better, depending on whether or not you're Dainsleif), somebody outside the room had knocked on the door.
Dainsleif froze, whipping his head towards the source of the noise.
“Please don't be Diluc.” he muttered softly, clutching desperately at the blanket. Yet somehow, despite his predicament, a part of him hoped it was.
"No, don't think such ridiculous things. You don't know the man, nor does he know you. He was just kind enough to let you stay," Dainsleif thought, pushing himself into a sitting position and fixing his tousled hair to make himself look more presentable.
"You may come in," Dainsleif spoke.
Slowly, the door of the room opened, revealing a woman who appeared to be one of the maids here.
"Sorry for the intrusion," the lady spoke kindly, "But the Master told me that you appear to have woken up. I am Adelinde, the head maiden here at the winery."
Dainsleif listened intently and fought back the urge to hide under the sheets at her words. Of course Diluc had seen him, he'd been foolish to hope that he didn't.
It was silent for a moment, and it'd appear as though she was expecting him to say something. As much as he didn't want to..
"My name is Dainsleif. Thank you for your hospitality."
"Ah, no need! All thanks should go to the Master, he was the one who brought you in a few nights ago."
Dainsleif's eyes widened. "A few nights?"
"You've been asleep for three days, now. Master Diluc specifically instructed me to tell you that there's no rush, and that you may stay here for as long as you need."
Dainsleif felt the heat return to his face. "How very.. Thoughtful of him. I suppose I should extend my thanks to him in person once I've freshened up."
"Indeed. Master Diluc might not show it often, but he's incredibly thoughtful." She smiled knowingly. "It's nearly noon, so I'll go prepare lunch as well as something light for you to eat. Aha, after all, Master Diluc is quite a heavy eater." Adelinde chuckled softly.
Dainsleif nearly choked on air. "Sir Diluc is going to be eating at the same table as me?"
"Why, of course! It'd be the perfect time for you to thank him, don't you think? Of course, you may choose to dine elsewhere. You need only say the word." Adelinde spoke, almost as if convincing him to decide to eat with Diluc.
"No, it's just.." Dainsleif tried and failed to come up with an excuse, "Never mind. Where's the bathroom?"
"Right this way," Adelinde laughed softly.
——
"..."
"..."
Dainsleif found himself quiet as he sat at the table with Diluc, unsure of what to say or when to say it. Diluc, for the most part, didn't show any signs of caring, making Dainsleif wonder if he was just imagining the awkwardness.
But, no! Dainsleif would do this! He had to. His pride was counting on it.
"Ahem," he cleared his throat, finally forcing himself to look up at the redhaired man who was eating away as if his very life depended on it.
Diluc froze, then raised a brow, finally turning his head to look at Dainsleif, who hadn't touched his food at all.
"Won't you be eating anything? If the food isn't to your liking, we could–"
"No, it's not like that. I.." Dainsleif interjected, taking his fork and pushing a spoonful of food into his mouth, then wondering why he hadn't eaten sooner. He shook his head, pushing back those thoughts, "I... Was simply trying to find the words to thank you properly. Alas, I couldn't. So.. Thank you for your hospitality, Master Diluc. It was already enough when you gave me that drink for free the other night."
Diluc stared for a moment, processing Dainsleif's words before a ghost of a smile played on his lips. "There's no need. I told you – you've helped Mondstadt, whether it be your intention or not, and so I simply did what I thought was right. If anything, I fear your ‘reward’ was lacking."
"Well, then you allowing me to stay here makes up for it. I heard from Ms. Adelinde that I was unconscious for a few days."
Diluc nodded. "That's right. I contemplated whether or not I should have taken you to the Church or not multiple times, but decided against it. For some reason, I feel as though that might not be the best idea..."
"Thankfully you did. When a nonbeliever steps into a Church, things are always bound to go downhill. I might've found myself getting kicked out for saying unwarranted things about the Anemo Archon that you call Ve– Barbatos." Dainsleif went on, trying his very best not to roll his eyes at the mere word.
There were so many things he wished to say then, but Diluc was a Mondstadter - a believer and a child of one of the seven he so firmly hated. He picked up his fork again, seemingly done talking.
"You not wanting to associate with the Church is.. Understandable, given your history," Diluc said, his gaze raking over Dainsleif's demeanor, "Though, it seems to me that you know the Anemo Archon's true identity."
"Is it not a given that I would? I wonder how majority of the city hasn't figured it out yet,"
Diluc chuckled, a sound full of mirth.
Dainsleif had made him laugh. He fought the urge to look up and stare at the face that probably had the prettiest smile he would have ever seen yet, reminding himself that it would be unprofessional.
You'd think that after the cataclysm and being cursed with immortality, after having to shoulder so much hate and suffering, that his suffering would end there. But, no.
Here, in land of the free, where the wind would always guide people back home, he found his old, and worn heart racing at a million miles per hour, his hands trembling slightly as he fought the urge to reach out. To reach out and open up to this man. This man whose smile and hair were as warm as the sun. Who was so misunderstood, but was willing to understand others. Who had everything robbed of him, but was willing to give others. To give to a man like Dainsleif.
Who was willing to take a sinner like Dainsleif in.
It was like the Anemo Archon himself was laughing at him, teasing him with something he knew he could never have. But, of course he couldn't. Dainsleif was the child of people who even the very sustainers of this world laughed at. The child of those who'd never seen the sun, and the brother of one of the most notorious sinners.
Diluc, on the other hand, was a child of the wind. A child of the free, one who was not consumed by so much hatred as Dainsleif was. He was learning to let go and move forward, whereas Dainsleif was stuck in the past, always chasing down the abyss, for it was the very reason his life had come falling apart. He'd always remember that day, the betrayal he felt as one after the other, the very people he thought would help save their homeland, gave in to the temptation of the abyss.
He could not burden Diluc, and he knew he could not stay.
Dainsleif forced himself to meet Diluc's eyes, returning Diluc's laughter with a sad smile of his own. "Thank you for your hospitality again, Master Diluc. I'm afraid I've overstayed my welcome here. Though it was very kind of you to allow me to be here, I don't want to burden you or your staff any longer."
Diluc's brows shot up in surprise, clearly caught off guard. "I can't force you to stay, but I can tell you that you're not bothering anybody by being here. But, I understand. Your fight with the abyss goes much deeper than what I could ever hope to understand."
Dainsleif nodded, trying to ignore the obvious sad tone in Diluc's voice, telling himself that he was only imagining it.
"That's right. While I've been recovering here, nobody knows what the Abyss Order has been up to." He said, pushing his chair back and standing up. He stood tall, trying to ignore the shakiness in his legs or the lightheaded feeling he was beginning to have.
Diluc's brows furrowed, and so he couldn't help but ask, "Are you sure? I mean it when I say that you can stay here as long as you need."
"Your concern is.. Unwarranted, but appreciated nonetheless. This is.. certainly a first for me, but I'm sure I'll be alright."
Diluc stared, still not very sure, dare I say even worried, but relented. He couldn't come off as too pushy.
"Very well." Diluc stood up as well, escorting Dainsleif outside the winery.
"Here at the Dawn Winery, you'll always be welcome. I wish you a safe journey onwards."
Dainsleif nodded and forced a smile, even if he knew very well that he did not want to leave. "Thank you again, Master Diluc. I'll be sure to keep your words in mind."
"Please, you can drop the ‘Master.’ Just call me Diluc. I'd prefer it if you did."
Dainsleif found his cheeks heating up slightly at those words, hoping that the redhaired man wouldn't notice. "Thank you, Ma- err, Diluc. I, too, wish you a good future onwards. Perhaps if I were religious, I would have said, ‘May the Anemo Archon protect you.’"
Dainsleif mentally facepalmed. If you told him that he would have said something like that even a few days ago, he might've laughed at you.
Diluc smiled. "The sentiment is appreciated, regardless. I wouldn't want to keep you held up here any longer. Farewell, Dainsleif. Until we meet again."
Dainsleif returned Diluc's smile, he couldn't imagine ever not doing so. "Goodbye, Diluc." He spoke and turned around, walking away into the peaceful wilderness. He could still feel his gaze on his back, like a watchful hawk. "Diluc. Just Diluc," he found himself muttering, liking the way his name rolled off of his tongue.
They hadn't known each other for that long, and it hadn't been too soon since he'd departed, and yet he found himself longing. Wishing. Wishing he hadn't been so stubborn, and had taken Diluc up on his offer, wishing he'd stayed at the winery.
“If I were still there, I'm sure he would have listened,” he muttered to himself. Diluc had listened when Dainsleif had gone on a rant both today and that night at the tavern. He wondered then how he had the patience to put up with himself, who must've seemed like an utter weirdo.
And, he also found himself wondering if like him, he was also missing the other so terribly.
Dainsleif walked on, eyes glued to the floor as his thoughts circled between Diluc and the Abyss Order. He was snapped out of his stupor once he heard the sound of oncoming footsteps.
Not too far from him, a blue haired man came strolling along, whistling a popular Mondstadt song as he did, not a single care in the world.
Dainsleif's gaze locked onto his one and only visible eye - before pulling away. It wasn't the first time they'd ran into each other, and certainly wouldn't be the last.
What a coincidence it was that the man he was hopelessly falling for, had quite the mysterious younger brother, one who might possibly be a sign of doom, or hope, depending on your perspective.
Dainsleif said nothing, not wanting to engage with said man much, but that was just a hopeless dream, was it not?
"Fancy seeing you here, Bough Keeper. Although, I must admit that I hadn't anticipated on running into you while on the way to my brothers' home. Would it be a stretch to assume that you came that way, too?"
Dainsleif sighed. "Kaeya. No, it would not be. But, my business there is done and I have much better things to be doing than entertaining you."
Dainsleif didn't mean to come off as hostile, but from his one interaction with Kaeya, he already knew what kind of a man he was. And it wouldn't be long before he started jumping to conclusions, if Dainsleif didn't end the conversation now.
"Oh, how cold of you." Kaeya smirked.
"It's not often Diluc is so willing to talk with outsiders. The fact that you were there means he must trust you. It makes one wonder what you might have did to gain that trust."
Dainsleif could feel his face turn red. "I would highly advise that you don't finish that thought. Whatever you're thinking is probably wrong."
Kaeya placed his hands on his hips. "Oh? I was merely thinking that maybe a warrior like yourself had helped Diluc in battle one day. What did 𝘺𝘰𝘶 think I meant?"
Dainsleif flushed red further. This man knew exactly what he was doing!
"I.. Will leave that up to you to decide. I must get going."
"Ah, but of course. I'll leave you to it, then. I wish you a wonderful day." Kaeya spoke, and continued walking on, leaving Dainsleif feeling equally parts flustered, equal parts dreadful. He hoped the man wouldn't say anything too weird to Diluc...
——
Diluc was sitting in his office, eyes scanning different documents as someone rudely barged into his room without knocking. He didn't even need to look up to know who it was.
"My, what a lovely day it is outside! Too bad you're holed up here in this depressing room."
Diluc sighed deeply, feeling Kaeya strip away at his sanity with just his presence alone.
"Kaeya. To what do I owe the pleasure?" He asked, eyes not leaving his papers once.
"You say that, but you don't even bother to look up at me." Kaeya said, trying his best to sound offended, but Diluc could very well 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳 the cheeky grin plastered on his face.
"Hmph. You're a knight, you should be used to this much. And, do you not have work that you should be doing?" Only then did Diluc look up, careful to inspect Kaeya's reaction.
Kaeya only averted eye contact, and Diluc knew he was right. He knew Kaeya far too well.
"Then, you'd best make your business quick so that you can get back to it. Not only will you have Jean on your case for not having it done, but Varka, too."
"Diluc, I think that you're putting too much faith in the grandmaster."
"You're probably right."
"Aha.." Kaeya scratched his head awkwardly, while Diluc continued investigating his demeanor, trying to figure out what he came here for this time.
"So? Ask away." He finally said, reaching out to take a sip of his coffee.
"Caffeine so early in the day.." Kaeya chided, shaking his head with an exaggerated disappointment.
"Like you're any better, if not worse than I am. And on top of caffeine, you come to the tavern every other night, despite me telling you to stop."
"Ah! Now, that one really hurt me, Diluc. Must you be so cruel to your angel of a younger brother?"
Diluc rolled his eyes, sighing with irritation. Leave it to Kaeya to try and guilt trip him..
"I'm starting to think that the only reason you came here is to annoy me."
"Bingo!" Kaeya cheered, clapping his hands together.
"But, while I was on my way here, I found another reason to be here. And, now I'm extremely grateful that I did choose to come here."
"And that is?"
Kaeya smirked, taking a seat on the other side of Diluc's table, facing him directly.
"You know, I didn't think that you'd have business with a certain blonde haired man."
"The traveler?"
Kaeya laughed. "Come now, Diluc! Don't play dumb. Between the two of us, you've always been the one who was terrible at lying."
Diluc sighed again, and folded his arms. "And so, what of it?"
"I had a chat with him when I ran into him. I asked him what he was doing here at the Winery like the concerned younger brother I am, and in response, he didn't even want to answer my question!"
"As he rightfully should. You should know better than to be nosey, Kaeya."
"Should I? Because when I interroga- I mean, kindly asked him further, he got flustered."
Diluc raised a brow curiously. "Flustered?"
"Yes, precisely that! So, answer me this, Diluc. Were you banging Dain–"
"WHAT?? No!"
"You didn't even let me finish the question, Diluc! But, with how defensive you're getting, it would make a guy think–"
"Kaeya, just stop." Diluc spoke, covering his pink face with his hands.
"Diluc, I come in peace. I didn't come here to judge. If anything, I'm glad that you finally decided to find love. As the concerned younger brother I am, I was always worried for you–"
"Please, keep quiet. Cease your foolishness! Whatever you're thinking is wrong."
Kaeya gasped dramatically, a look of exaggerated shock colouring his face.
"You know, Dainsleif said the exact same thing when I asked him! And you know that they say soulmates often tend to be similar–"
"Kaeya, you asked a stranger if we were doing.. That?" Diluc asked, slamming his hand on the table.
"No, of course not! I'm not an indecent pervert! And actually, I have met Dainsleif before, back in Sumeru with the traveler."
Diluc sank back into his chair.
"What- whatever. It doesn't matter. If you really must know, the other night he fainted in the tavern and I brought him back here. Oh, and he only woke up today, so don't get any ideas."
Kaeya soaked in Diluc's words, then nodded like he'd suddenly discovered an important truth. "I see. So, there's nothing going on between you two."
"Nothing at all."
Kaeya sat back in his chair, then said, "But, you'd think that there actually was, with how you're both behaving."
"Oh, archons.." Diluc sighed.
"Honest! Personally, I think that you should go for it. I can see the two of you together, holding hands–"
"You know what? Just get out of my office."
Kaeya grinned, but relented and stood up.
"Very well. I'll see you when I see you, then."
Diluc nodded, then immediately raised a brow. "That was worryingly easy.. You're not planning something ridiculous, are you?"
"Have a wonderful day, Diluc!" Kaeya called and ran out the door, leaving a very confused Diluc behind.
He shook his head, deciding to not think much of it. He had work that needed to be done.
"I wonder what I would have been doing had he still been here," Diluc muttered to himself, picking up his pen to write.
"Dainsleif..." He whispered, a smile forming on his face at the memory of Dainsleif staring out the window at he and his staff, and how when he realized that he'd been caught, he hid away. A fond memory. He'd be sure to remember that adorable moment.
"Until the wind brings us back together."