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Being in Monstadt was wonderful. Breathing the fresh air, despite being far from the coast. The constant breeze teasing your skirts. And the people of Monstadt were also like a breath of fresh air. It had been a long time since you had been welcomed so warmly.
Too nice.
There had to be something said when everyone was grouping Master Jean with Diluc Ragnvidnr. A talented young woman from a line of prestigious Knights of Favonius and the noble son of Monstadt’s oldest houses. They were friends since childhood and shared some common interest. So, she already had a head start on you. Not to mention, Diluc scarcely talked about their kiss since they had returned. If you didn’t know better, you would have thought you imagined it.
Being the scientist, you were, you overanalyzed everything. Every conversation that you happened to overhear, every glance the two of them made, and their history together. No wonder Monstadt shipped them together. But then, why did your heart hurt so much? You felt your stomach twist, a nauseous feeling overwhelming you. So instead of thinking about something that gave you indigestion, you buried yourself in your research. You are an archaeologist after all.
You used to be a student at the Akademiya who took an interest in the ancient dungeons and domains that were scattered all around Teyvat. Your research focused on how the artifacts within affected people specifically vision and delusion holders. And when some less than desirable characters started to show interest in your studies, you promptly decided to get the hell out of there only to get lost in the jungles of Sumeru and stumbling upon the Fatui. You became their unwilling prisoner utilizing working mainly in Fontaine where you eventually met Diluc.
You remember Diluc for being a beacon of hope in your dreary life. His flaming red hair gleamed in the crowd during the gala. At first, he couldn’t believe you were not a Fatui agent. And you still cant believe you won him over in the end. You traveled from there, away from the pungent air of Fontaine towards Sneyznaya before being chased away and starting your way back to Monstadt. You’ve thought of leaving Monstadt sometimes. Because you could imagine the life between Jean and Diluc. A life of love between the wind blowing life into the flames and continuing to rekindle them in the ridged darkness. And the earth, remained an immobile forth smothering the flames of air until there was nothing. They would have beautiful children, probably a girl adorned in his signature red and a boy donning Jean’s blue garments. And if you were lucky, you would stop by and talk with him and laugh about those times that was exclusively yours before he returned to his new life away from the darkest monsters of this world.
You remembered him talking about his father. The reason he went all over Teyvat and the reason he met you: the Fatui. And with that he could come full circle. Your heart plummeted and sank into your belly. Your gut twisting in an uncomfortable feeling. The pressure began to build behind your eyes, but you blinked the tears away. Your face twitched into a forced grin. It will be okay. He’s Diluc Ragnvidnr. He’s always okay. And your…you.
A lone tear fell down your face. And then they all came at once. You didn’t want to leave. You didn’t want to see him with Jean. You wanted him. Every. Single. Day. You could see his smile as you woke up in the same bed, his bed hair tossled in the adorable but hot way it does. You could hear his laughter as he tried to teach you chess, again, his eyes alight in glee and, what you hoped was, affection.
This time, you didn’t want to be the cute friend that was nice. You desired his touch, his scent, and him.
But, that’s…you paused.
The gentle wind turning cold as you realized how late it was. The city lights just beginning to burn. A fog started to roll over the lake while the last fishermen gathered their bounty and headed into town. And you were alone. He deserved to be happy, you resolved, as you walked away from the lakes edge. Yet, a single whispering thought continued to nag as you clenched your hands tightly to your chest.
.
.
.
The tavern was more busy than usual. With the Windblume Festival in full swing, you didn’t expect to see Diluc at all. But of course, there he was bartending while the others, Kaeya, Rosaria, and a couple of the other knights of Favonius, were relaxing at a couple of tables in the back. Hearing the door open, Diluc briefly glanced up from cleaning glasses noticing you. He gave you a nod and smile. You smiled back, waving, before scurrying to the back tables but missed his probing gaze as you walked by.
“Well look what the cat dragged in,” a sultry smooth voice said. “And where have you been, Miss scientist?” The table was already 102% drunk with many of the knights engaged in talk of the festival, work, and gossip.
“Oh, you know. Doing science things,” you said settling next to Kaeya. Rosaria was either already very drunk or was just savoring her buzz. She coddled her beer close to her, away from the rambunctious actions of the other knights.
“Really? And pray tell what kind of experiments have you been doing Miss Scientist.” You liked Kaeya. Sort of. Mainly because it was clear that underneath all of that charisma was cool deceptive man. Something your little analytical brain wanted to figure out. A mask that went further than being Diluc’s brother. But you always stopped yourself. Talking to him, peering into his past, felt dangerous.
You straightened a piece of hair back into your bun. “Just studying some stones.”
His single eye widened in mirth. Kaeya smiled crookedly, “I, for one, would love to know what stones you are studying on the docks. As someone less, ‘learned’, it would be an interesting report.”
And he knew. Of course, he did. Moping around the cliffs and lake’s edge was not pertinent work. It was nowhere near a domain. He may not know exactly why you’re here. When you and Diluc arrived back in Monstadt, you were commissioned as his food scientist. But Kaeya probably had his doubts since meeting you. You squeezed the bottle of wine staring into his bemused eye.
Sighing, you took a sip of courage and said, “I’ll have you know that observing the erosion of the rocks on the riverbed can tell you a lot about the currents in a lake. Which can help with distinguishing the natural tides of the lake and assist fishermen in distinguishing the migration patterns of fish in Monstadt’s growing fishing industry.” You took a few breaths, your shoulders shaking with the effort. Stupid Kaeya.
And all the bastard did was smile that all-knowing smile before leaning into your ear, his lips brushing against it lightly, “That is quite an interesting tale, Miss Scientist,” he said, “But, I’m sure my experiment is going to yield much better results in a much more,” he briefly glanced to the bar, “productive way.”
You turned suddenly, your nose skimming against his causing a flush to erupt to your face. You could practically feel the chill emitting from the cryo user. “What experiment?”
He laughed, tilting your head slightly, “All in good time Miss Scientist. The control has just finished being tested. All I need is my other subject.”
Before you could answer, a sudden shadow engulfed you and tugged you away from Kaeya. It enveloped you in a burst of warmth and smelled like fermented fruit and something distinctly Diluc.
Kaeya smiled, “Well if it isn’t Master Diluc. I suppose your finished at the bar.”
“The night is nearly over. And you are disturbing my guest.”
Kaeya feigned a sigh, “Me and Miss Scientist were just getting better acquainted,” he smiled at you, “In fact, I was just about to detail my own experiment I’m performing.”
Detangling from Diluc, you tried to give him some space. For him and your poor heart. But he grasped your hand. “Whatever science project you have, she doesn’t need to be apart of it. It’s late. We’re retiring for the night.”
“Yes, of course, Master Diluc. I would never forcibly make her participate.” You highly doubt it.
With that, Kaeya yields as Diluc announces that he was going to retire for the night. You had hardly uttered a word, stunned by the interaction. You had no doubt whatever Kaeya was planning it definitely involved you. Yet, you were more shocked to find your hand still firmly held by the pyro user.
.
.
.
Diluc surprised you again, taking the usual route on the edge of the city to the bridge and into the wilderness. And he never let go of your hand once. You blushed remembering him brazenly tearing you away from his brother. It was sweet and confusing. Your palms began to sweat nervously, his hand sliding away from yours.
It had been a few months since you’ve traveled with Diluc and a few weeks since he’s walked you home like this.
“Diluc, hey,” you said, “Is this, okay?”
Diluc stopped as he felt your grip loosen. At this angle you could see the size difference between the two of you and noticed him cautiously watching you. His eyes guarded.
“What do you mean?”
“Well, we sort of left in the middle of the festival. Don’t you usually work late?” You recalled a few months ago, when the bar held a special event for some winter crop. It was the busiest you’ve ever seen them.
“It was the end of the night anyway. I informed Charles to close the bar after I left.”
“And your brother?”
“Kaeya creates his own problems,” he said, “He’s always been one to stir the pot. Even without me involved.”
But he wasn’t bothering me. And I’m not tired, you thought.
“Do I have to bring up Sumeru- “
“Listen, that is because being in a jungle freaks me out,” not to mention your poor sense of direction. He slid his hand into yours.
Oh.
This is different.
His fingers caressed yours as they intertwined together, sliding and meeting into one reassuring squeeze. The same warmth from before spread from your hand and throughout. It was comforting like a cozy fire on a cool night in Dragonspine. And it was distinctly Diluc.
“I know. That’s why we’re going home.” Home. The Dawn Winery. He gently tugged you along making your way through the gorge.
You recalled all the amazing people you had met at the winery. All of the people who supported Diluc while he was away. Not knowing when he would return or not. But through it all, you saw the visage of a tall blonde woman smiling happily.
You went a couple of paces before you couldn’t stand it, pulling your hand from his. Already, you missed the heat of him.
“Don’t you mean, your home, “you said, “I’m staying at the Dawn Winery as a guest. It’s not home, Diluc.” No, home was lost a long time ago, you thought.
“I admire your stubbornness. It’s what makes you, you,” he sighed, running a hand through his hair, “But sometimes you can be so slow to these things.”
“Hey! I’m an archaeologist. I need data and evidence in order to figure out certain situations.” At the exit of the gorge, you could see a clear view of the winery. It was silent for a bit, Diluc quiet in thought. You gaze dropped to his lips as he pursed them, thinking.
You said, “And from what I’ve seen, this is far from my home.”
“Look, you could have left a long time ago, “he slowly began walking towards you. “In Natlan. In Inazuma. Even Liyue, But you didn’t. No one forced you. No one persuaded you. That was all you.”
“ But I didn’t,” you said, your hands gripping the sides of your skirt. “Because if I left, I knew that I would- I would never, never ever-“ See you again, you thought.
He gently lifted your chin looking into your eyes “Listen, I know things are confusing right now. And to be honest I haven’t been forthcoming with you,” he said cradling your face. You had never felt like something so fragile but by his touch, you imagined that this is what a treasure would feel. This is what an artifact feels like. “Things are…different. We aren’t traveling, your busy with the research, I need to secure my place back in Monstadt, and things are,” he seemed to be searching for that word. That perfect word that would describe everything that you had been through. “…complicated,” you said together.
Diluc smiled, his gaze wavered, briefly glancing down to your lips before your returning back to your eyes.
Had so much time passed since you’ve settled here in Monstadt. You were more obvious in your starring as your eyes locked onto his lips. It felt like yesterday when you first shared that dreamy kiss during Lantern. It was starting again. That feeling that started in your gut before rising up towards your chest. You could feel the tindrils in your heart warm as you bit your lip leaning forward. You wanted to know how it felt again. And you were just about to feel the heat of him surround you-
But-
“What about Jean?” you whispered. Pulling away, only as much as his hand would let you.
A low, unfamiliar growl sounded in his chest, “So that’s what this about, " he said, "Nothing is going on between me and Jean."
Before you could make sense of it, he had pulled you away from the open road, pulling you between him and the rocky outcrop before his lips latched onto yours.
It was an inferno. Diluc was hot. His body blazed on top of yours, so much that you couldn’t feel the bitter cold of the night. His hands left feverish touches across your skin, pulling you impossibly closer. You were drowning. And he was everywhere: his scent, his taste, his touch. You twisted your hands into his hair, pulling his ponytail out. His mouth seemed to moved in an impossible dance that was familiar and yet so foreign. So Diluc. Back and forth. Back and forth. He nipped your lips before sliding to place open mouth kisses around your face and moving towards your neck. The warmth in your heart blazing in your belly.
You opened your eyes dazed. The forest created the perfect shield for you. The rocky outcrop beginning to make this passionate scene one of slight discomfort. At the sudden kiss of your neck, your trance broke.
“Diluc, w-wait, “you groaned, as he pressed a kiss to your jaw. He stopped looking at you. And you looked at him. His hand found your face again, and you brought it to your lips in a small kiss.
And it had never felt quieter before. The fire was beginning to settle into a controlled flame, dancing between the two of you. The evidence was presented, you thought, then the conclusion would be. You looked into the eyes of a man that you had been with for the past few years. And based off the evidence you knew.
“Diluc, “you said, “Let’s go home.” And this time, you were dragging him to the Dawn Winery.