Diluc Fluff - Tumblr Posts

HSVSNSBB JUST- SO CUTE AND SO SWEET IM GONNA HAVE DIABETES

little star — diluc 。

synopsis!! everyone knows the creator doesn't favor diluc (everyone is wrong).

cw !! gn reader, reader is peak diluc simp 😐 somewhat self-aware characters, mild sagau themes (not too much), reader is recognized as the player, reader is a little shy at first. angst with reverse comfort!

note !! the plot feels a little everywhere but i tried to organize it as best as i can, i think i got carried away eheh honestly doesn't feel up to my standards but it was pretty enjoyable to write

word count !! 2.8k something

"No, it's definitely Outrider Amber, she was the first to ever be favored."

"Are you kidding me? Outrider Amber may be the first, but sir Kaeya was definitely loved. Have you seen the sword he was gifted with?" One growls.

"It's the Acting Grand Master Jean!" Someone slams the table with his beer mug, "Twice was she bestowed with fallen stars of gold."

"I'd say that wolf boy in the woods seem lucky."

"It has to be Bennett. I don't know why but that kid has two crowns! Two!"

"You're all missing out on Miss Lisa!"

"Stop, stop! You rowdy drunks! Every vision holder in Mond has been granted favor, this is just impossible to decide!"

There was a pause. "Well. . . not every." Someone mumbles under their breath.

"Not every? Who's the poor allogene that couldn't even get the Player's favo—" Shushing sounds break his sentence, the men glare at their companion, pointing to the redhead behind the bar.

It's useless, really.

Diluc has been listening in the entire time. He can't really help it when their voices were loud enough to reach where he stood. Still, he was merciful and pretended not to hear. He's not exactly bothered by what they're saying. It was the truth, after all.

For two years, vision holders all around Teyvat were being granted favor.

It often begins with a meteor shower gracing the sky.

A star gently falling into the hands of a vision holder, embracing them in warm light.

They call the ethereal sensation as something akin to "coming home".

The favored would then be given different things; quality weapons, enhanced abilities, beautiful crowns— Some allogenes were even gifted summer apparel (Mondstadt is proud that their Gunnhildr sisters were one of the very first). Even their equipped wings would change into ornamented works of art!

It's been two years, and it seems like every allogene he knows of has received the Player's grace.

He supposed he just wasn't favored. It isn't too difficult to believe that he isn't likable.

He convinces himself it's fine.

It's fine if his summoned weapon is a cheap claymore made of scrap metal. It's still efficient to have the extra blade while he manually carries around another claymore (commissioned from Wagner as the best money could buy). Or that his abilities can only be improved through hardwork, unlike the many who broke the limits of their power through your favor.

It's fine.

As the bar goers leave for the night, as Venti and Kaeya wave around their almost divine-looking five-star weapons to show the crowd, and as he's closing up the tavern and retreating to his upstair quarters for comfort, he convinces himself that the he'll be okay on his own.

•

The arrival of the Creator was festive and grand; The day the sky parted itself and glowed as the brightest of all stars fell with grace into Mondstadt's very own Windrise.

Teyvat rejoices in the ecstatic ideal of being loved.

A meeting of vision holders was quickly held in the Cathedral, discussing immediate plans as some of the most favored (Venti, Jean, Kaeya, Albedo to name a few) went ahead to fetch the Creator from the large tree.

While Diluc was often the center of any other meeting due to his authority and influence, this was something he chose to step back from. Standing by the windows, away from the meeting, he watched on as Eula and the rest conversed around the circular table.

He isn't even sure why he's invited. Perhaps they felt it was obligatory for vision holders, regardless of favorability? Then again, he could always offer a fraction of his mountain-loads of wealth to help with the festivities.

At least he's competent at being a wallet.

As the others pull out their crowns and stars, weapons and artifacts, eager to thank the one responsible for the gifts, an unknown emotion bubbles in his stomach. It's faint, but it's there.

He tries to look away.

"Everyone, everyone! They're entering the gates!" Fischl announces uncharacteristically to the room as her eye glows brightly, undoubtedly looking through Oz's eyes from the sky.

"We should wait by the statue to welcome them, right?" Barbara chirps in, hands clasped and wavy hair bouncing with every step.

Diluc watches as people steadily leave the room, following last as they walk down the steps to greet the approaching group. Some civilians gathered to see the scene, others didn't really understand what a Player or Creator was to a vision holder, while Diluc—

Diluc stood by the steps to see them crowd around you.

You, surrounded with words of gratitude and cheerful squeals. He sees the smile on your face and feels relief that you don't seem too overwhelmed.

He leaves the area without a second thought.

•

He doesn't exactly see you around the next few days. With Mondstadt celebrating a new festival, the taverns were always full and busy with customers (both local and foreign). You were probably busy too, spending time with the different allogenes and entertaining those who came from Liyue to meet you. He's heard of a funeral consultant with three crowns (are consultants that admirable of a job to you?) and an adeptus gifted with various five-star polearms (this was understandable for the adepti, unlike the consultant).

He doesn't expect to see you at all until you leave for the next nation, honestly.

That is, until the tavern settles into a more peaceful atmosphere and Jean rushes in with several other allogenes. It's unusual to see his childhood friend in the tavern; still, he greets her amicably and asks what brings her here.

"(Name) will be coming here soon with Kaeya and a few others. It's a little impromptu, but we were hoping for a place to settle in with drinks. Perhaps try some apple cider." She smiles, taking a seat by the bar.

(Name)? Jean was already on a first name basis with the Creator?

Diluc thinks perhaps Jean truly is the favorite, she does have a few golden stars in her home.

Somehow, it's not surprising at all to know that his apple cider was famous enough to drag you in. At least there's something about the Dawn Winery in your favor. He promptly gets his employees to work, clearing a few tables near the bar, rearranging the furniture to give space good enough for a group.

Your entrance into the bar was just as lively; with your favored allogenes chatting away with you, everyone falling into place at different parts of the tavern, ordering drinks and meals.

He's glad you enjoy apple cider.

•

You're trying to play it cool, really. Trying your best not to get overexcited and glomp everyone and everything.

You're taking things step by step as you converse with Jean, Lisa, and Albedo; as you share meals with Barbara and Sucrose; as you play with Klee and Diona; tour the city with Fischl and Bennett. There's plenty of time to meet everyone and your schedule has been filled to the brim with all the fun your having.

You'll see that glimpse of red hair again— one that was lingering by the Cathedral staircase. Diluc doesn't like crowds, so it's fine that he isn't approaching you. It's also fine that he hasn't visited at least once, unlike the several raging from Liyue to Sumeru who took the journey to meet you early.

Diluc is too busy a person to meet you; whether it's because of the winery or his darknight hero duties, you wouldn't dare take his time.

— but when are you supposed to give him all the gifts you've brought for him???

Your determination to build him up in one go, from Talent levels to Constellations to Artifacts and Weaponry, all came down to this moment — and the man was simply nowhere to be seen!

An unknowingly loud sigh escapes your lips, catching the attention of the Cavalry Captain next to you.

"Now, what's got our (Name) so down in the dumps?" Kaeya hums, glancing at your face as you stutter a response.

"Aah it's not that, it's just. . ."

Your brother is too busy, I just want to meet him!!

"I'm thirsty." You deflect, looking around for a stall. The streets of Mond were nothing like the minimized version you see in the game; with the city being ten times larger than what you remembered it to be.

"Oh! Oh! Klee suggests apple cider!" The little girl giggles, running around your legs in excitement, "Angel's Share is nearby and big brother Albedo alwaaays takes me there for apple cider!"

Angel's Share. Bartender. A great idea has appeared!

At the excited look on your face, Jean walks up ahead of you.

"Why don't I go and inform the tavern to prepare us a space first, it would save us the waiting time."

"That would be great, Jean!"

•

You hope you aren't being too obvious.

With the way your eyes would linger on him, casting side glances and hoping he would greet you to strike up a conversation, the way most allogenes do. You didn't want to abruptly disturb his work, nor do you want seem desperate, so you waited for his initiative.

Yet, Diluc lingers just a little outside your group's circle. Your food and drinks were refilled by Charles, you've talked with nearly everyone but the person you want to talk to.

"It's getting pretty late, we should head home for the night." Someone suggests.

What?

No!

"Hm? Do you still have something in mind?" Kaeya asks. You realized you said it out loud, catching the attention of nearby patrons.

With a frantic glance around the tavern, your eyes make contact with Diluc's. He pauses as well, wondering what caused your little outburst.

You are definitely not leaving, not when you don't know when you could catch Diluc in his free time again! You'd be leaving for Liyue by then!

Hands slamming the table to stand up and with a small burst of courage, you approach the bartender who turns away from Charles. He raises an eyebrow at your approach. It's odd the way you feel flustered and nervous, finally facing him.

Pausing just in front of him, he looks on curiously.

"Would you like a refill?" He asks.

"A-ah no, I mean, yes but that's not why I'm here. I. . ." You stutter, stumbling over your words as you try not to behave awkwardly. Should you start with a casual topic?

"You seem to be quite busy." You say.

Diluc blinks. He isn't sure what you're implying. Neither is Kaeya or Jean, who stopped to look at the exchange of words.

"I suppose. . . but as a winery, we do thrive in impromptu festivities." He replies curtly before realizing, was it rude that he never visited the Creator?

"Ah, is it my lack of visit? I apologize, I would have visited but it seems that you were quite satisfied with your favorites and-"

"No, no, no," You wave your hand, cutting him off, "I understand you're busy. You don't have to visit at all! How could I take your time— wait," You pause, recalling his words.

"Favorites?" You tilt your head, "What do you mean I seemed satisfied with my favorites? What do you mean by favorites?"

"Your favorites... allogenes who received your favor. Those you have granted gifts."

Your jaw laxes. Favorites? They decided you play favorites based on how much you've built them?

"You think. . ." You say carefully, not wanting to hurt anyone's feelings, "That I offer gifts to my favorites?"

Diluc nods slowly, unsure of your questioning.

Although it would be a lie to say you didn't have your personal favorites, it would still be inaccurate that it's based on gifts. After all, you built everyone who came home by chance. As an avid player, you did your best to farm and push everyone to their full potential.

Diluc, however, never came home no matter how much you wanted him to. It can't be possible that he doesn't know how much he is loved, right?

"Then what about you?" You blurt out, "How do you think I view you?"

He stares at you oddly. At this point, many around you had stopped to tune in. Everyone knew Master Diluc never received your favor, so why are you conversing with him?

Meanwhile, Diluc wonders if you want him to admit it. Must he say it in front of everyone how he never received gifts?

"I suppose. . . I'm not one of them. It's quite understandable. I don't intend to question your judgement—"

"What?" You exclaim, a look of shock crosses your face, "You think I don't like you?" Voice raised in disbelief, you feel the eyes of many turning to watch the scene.

Diluc mirrors your confusion.

"I can't believe you would– no, that isn't it at all!" You stutter over your words, a frantic need to prove him wrong goes through you, "You— you of all people!"

"Me?" He repeats.

"I've always wanted you!"

A silence settles over the tavern. Did you have to put it so bluntly? You freeze in shock at your own words. Diluc's expression of disbelief turns flustered, face turning as red as his hair.

Explain yourself.

"I- I mean, I've always wanted you to come home. Ever since the start, really! It's just that you never did-"

"Hmm... so it implies that it's out of your control, correct?" Kaeya piqued, looking on curiously. He's been listening in the entire time. You nod your head.

"Yes! It's a game of chance for me as well. It's not to say that favor is an accident, I truly wanted everyone to come home! It's just that—" You turn to Diluc, "You never did, no matter how much I wanted you to. How was I supposed to give you your gifts?"

Diluc snaps out of his shock, blinking at you, "Gifts?"

"Yes, gifts! I've been saving them up for you, ever since the start." You pause, shyly looking away, "When I said I wanted you since the beginning I meant it. I came here for you, after all."

He looks at you in disbelief, and probably half the tavern as well. You can't help the small chuckle from your lips. With an outstretched hand, something materializes between you. It glows a blinding golden light, before settling to reveal–

"Wolf's Gravestone. It's a weapon for you."

You didn't have to say it— anyone with eyes could see how it was practically made for Diluc. With large handles and a color scheme that matches his own, Wolf's gravestone doesn't look as divine or ethereal as the other weapons you've gifted, but it looked just as powerful, if not menacing.

With a gesture, Diluc grips the handle.

"Fits like a glove." Kaeya whistles, impressed. As does the rest of the tavern who stopped to stare.

Suddenly, flames burst forth from the weapon. It sears and glows red. Unlike the common claymore that can't handle the the prowess of Diluc's flames, Wolf's Gravestone embraces it. Like an extension of his own hand.

He breaks his gaze away from the weapon to look at you.

"Thank you. . ." He mutters softly, but it's genuine. You smile.

"That's not the last of it, you know."

"What?"

With another flick of your hand, artifacts and talent books materialize. They flow around him like a dance as more and more begin to appear, lighting up the tavern like the night sky.

"I told you I brought gifts!"

All the days spent farming for him and other pyro characters finally paid off. The glimmering artifacts reflected in his own red eyes as he stares, entranced.

Favor did not come to him in meteor showers like it did to the other allogenes; rather, it came to him in your form. Proof of him being loved. The spectacle continued— after the artifacts and talent levels were the constellation (the crowd ooh'ed and aah'ed at the sight), then came the five star apparel (a nostalgic sight to him, and it changed his flames to a darker red), and the ascension materials you passed off as trinkets.

By the end of it, he had a hand over his lower face, his red bangs hid just the ends of his eyes. "I just thought I wasn't that favorable. . ." He muttered and you leaned in to peek at his covered face, wondering why he was shying away.

But it was evident to the tavern— the pink dusted ears, the flushed cheeks, and the overwhelming emotion in his eyes. Diluc Ragnvindr was flustered, and it's a sight enough to make even the drunks place down their beers for a closer look.

You bit your lip, trying to prevent the widest of smiles, "Do you believe yourself loved now?" You ask and he gives the faintest of nods.

"Thank you," He says, "For favoring me."

m.list 2 || consider supporting me on ko-fi ! || sagau m.list

note !! THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO BE a very short brainrot that became a fic huhuhuhu

I don't often write creator sagau themes but here we are! this is like peak diluc simpery idk ive never been this down for a man. i wrote this immediately after getting his skin i just got so excited 😅 I wanted to spoil him so bad (but i gave all his mats to thoma before he came home :< )

taglist !! @absolut-wildflower @boundedbyfate @sadlonelybagel @eissaaaa @ladycoleigh @nejibot @milkypompon @bloodreaper08 @irethepotato @x-zho @roriver @mich-cola @mxsomn @ackrylik @nicebonescomrade @starforecasts @stygianoir @yuminako @eccedentesiast-sapphic @nebulaera @nuttytani @klutzkat @shizunxie

I need a Diluc in my life :(

💌 — ꒰ DILUC BEING A CARING BOYFRIEND ꒱

genre. fluff + mentions of drinking.

note. he is the sweetest grrr :( + reblogs are appreciated <3!!

if you ever come to visit or drink in the tavern and he’s behind the bar for that night, the corner of his eye will always be on you. watching out to make sure no drunken creep is making you uncomfortable.

he’ll always place his palm on your lower back to guide you inside a door, sometimes he’ll be comfortable enough to squeeze your hip too!

if you so happen to work for the knights he’ll miraculously find a way to stop by your place that night and inspect you for any possible injuries or bruises.

if you do have any injuries, he’s well versed in medical knowledge to help you out himself. but if you don’t want that, there’s always the option of letting him kiss anyplace you’ve been hurt. he will gladly do so.

he understands the need for personal space, it’s obvious there are times when you don’t want to be around him or speak to him and he’s fine with that!

his home is always your home! if you need a place to crash while coming home from a mission but you feel the city is to far? he’ll have a warm bath and bed ready for you the second you walk into his door.

he takes awhile to come around if i’m being honest, but once he does he’ll never doubt your loyalty or trust. he’s been hurt before by people he loves, so he makes sure to carefully choose who he let’s in now. and he chose you!

as a man who owns one of the biggest wine industries in teyvat, he’s seen his fair share of bad hangovers. so best believe he’s there with a warm plate of pancakes and a gallon of water and medicine at your disposal. obviously you’ll get a scolding afterwards.

he listens to you and gives the best consulting he can! whether it’s a personal issue or work related he loves you enough to give you his honest and straightforward opinion, he doesn’t want you to think he’ll sugarcoat anything just because you’re in a relationship.

i also think he encourages you a lot as well! from a small gift with a sweet letter attached telling you good luck, or silent hugs before you leave for something important. he always has your back no matter what!

overall diluc is a very sweet man! he might look rough around the edges but he’s a gentleman at heart, and he does his upmost best to honor and love you well! <3

Hiii I love it!! So cute!! Can I ask for one more? Last one I promise!! Can you do diluc? Pretty please💕?

Dating Diluc Ragnvindr <3

=͟͟͞͞ ⌧ : I can do as many as u want bby!! here’s pretty boy diluc <3

his kisses were light and feathery. he pulled you in by the waist, and ghosted his lips over yours before fully going in. these kisses left you satisfied, yet wanting more. his hand would find its way to cup your cheek as he leaned in. wrapping your arms around the base of his neck, you deepened the intimacy. you could feel the start of a smile form on his lips as he hummed in soft content. pulling away, you got a glimpse of his flushed cheeks and angelic smile. his hand remained cupping you face and he massaged you cheek slightly. he closed the small gap between you two once more, but instead left a small kiss on your forehead. his eyes shone with adoration and love as you stared at him dreamily.

KAZUHA, dainsleif, diluc, YUUTA, nanami armin, yuri briar (i just can’t resist), SUNA, kita, hinata, nishinoya, SUGA, TANJIRO, kyojuro.

diluc’s childhood lover. everyone remembers the girl who made the young master’s face light up with ease, dragging him out of the manor on a rainy night to dance in the sky’s shower and the same person who taught him to waltz despite his insistent rebuttals saying he’ll become a knight. reader just laughs brightly in response, “if you’re going to be a knight, i’ll be your princess. then you’ll have to dance with me!” diluc and you would have spent many peaceful days together, having picnics in the grassy plains of starfell valley during his breaks of long training. anyone with eyes could see how the pair of you doted upon each other despite you being on a exchange to study in mondstat and the eventual departure always remained at the back of diluc’s mind. it’s after mondstat’s winter ball that the news arrives, you have to return to your home as your studies were complete. you break it to diluc gently while sitting under the stars on a balcony together, the city is covered in a light blanket of snow and his gloved hands look like they’re trembling from the cold. you don’t know that the truth of the night and the weather yet. to break off the awkward silence, you stretch your hand out to diluc, “care to dance with me?” the way he clasps your fingers and waist as the both of you sway slowly to the symphony of strings feels magical with the moonlight accompanying you two. when you’re packed and ready to leave, diluc appears by your residence to send you off. perhaps the reality of your situation weighed down on your heart more than you realised and as you board the carriage, you slip diluc a letter and a brief kiss to the cheek. “goodbye. i will see you again one day!” your cheerful tone hides your embarrassment and melancholy, while diluc remains standing out with the snow piling on his ruby red hair in what seems to be shock. the man has no time to react as the horse takes off and his first love has left with the footprints of hooves. diluc finds the letter contains a key to your room, one that surely should be bare by now but he makes his way there and in the middle of winter, the man is surrounded by a room full of lamp grass flowers. potted neatly and placed near frames containing photos of the two of you. diluc had made your time abroad like a dream, one of your first and most unforgettable love. the floodworks open for you when you finally leave the roads of wind wail highlands and diluc’s left to miss you in your room, regretting being unable to tell you that he would gladly become your knight and that the ball was where he planned to confess. it was the first snowfall of the year and diluc was going to stay with you forever, just like the legends say but now you’re gone.

A/N: likely will be a part 2 and continuation, diluc’s plan of fireworks and more memories as well as reunion when he’s on his lil world tour that got him banned from snezhaya

body worship for diluc <3 kissing every scar on his body, holding his rough calloused hand and leaving loving pecks on the rugged fingers of his, marked from years of wielding a claymore. diluc’s usually not shy but imagine the soft flush in his cheeks as you pepper his body with words of praise and kisses. he’s more than deserving of all this love, as mondstat’s protector and the apple of your eye. diluc is so precious, just giving him all the adoration he deserves for every scar of victory through actions of admiration and reassuring words. the way your eyes sweep over his body and lips touch his muscles with reverence, it’s all too much for the man so don’t blame him when he gives you the same treatment, cherishing you till sunrise.

art creds!

300 posts with Laven special - Serendipity with Diluc Ragnivdr.

Releasing an continuation of this old fluff/angst with Diluc…

summary: diluc n you watching fireworks together. trying to climb the venti statue. planting lamp grass together.

How did you two become friends? Reader is also a noble so your parents just expected you to get along with the red head, the illustrious son of the Ragnivdr clan. The first thing you did was compliment his eye catching hair and eyes. He let you braid his hair and even said you did a good job! You prattled on about your travels and hometown and he tells you about how he’s going to protect Mondstat. You believe in him and tell him that he’ll make a great protector.

One of your many memories with him are watching exploding fireworks, imported from Inazuma’s famed Naganohara Fireworks store. When his face is illuminated by the array of human made stars, you smile to yourself and close your eyes, making a silent prayer to whichever Archon would listen - that your love for Diluc would remain like a firework, forever burned into your mind and mesmerising beyond words.

During Windblume, to Diluc and you, Lamp grass was the flower close to your hearts. The small flower that emits a luminescent blue glow and soft chime each time you approached, it seemed fitting for the two of you to plant them together. Together near Wolvendom, days under the sunshine and gentle breeze of Barbatos, the two of you planted patches of the flower with the care of a parent.

When found by some Springvale villagers in the late afternoon taking a break, you’re merrily invited into their customs, “Young hunters who are looking for love go to Wolvendom to catch foxes and then release the foxes with wreaths of flowers atop the foxes' heads.” Before you can protest, Diluc is dragged away to catch cunning foxes with hunters and you help weave a flower crown while being told that “It’s a prayer for finding love in the year ahead…” Though the thought is sweet, you think to yourself - Why would I need to pray to find love when it’s right beside me?

When Diluc returns with a disgruntled face, he has a sullen fox caught in his trap whilst other hunters pat him on the back - you giggle to yourself, he must’ve had a not so good time with the others but still you place your lamp grass wreath atop the animal’s head before releasing it into the wild with Diluc by your side.

As the festival continues on, Diluc and you spend a day offering lamp grasses to the Barbatos statue, fighting the many crowds to place your own grown bouquet at the archon’s feet. The two of you are shoved together so often by the hordes of people and almost separated that Diluc takes the initiative to grab your hand with his own gloved one, mumbling out an excuse that it’s to make sure you two stay together while your heart pounds inside your ribcage. Afterwards, to shake off the nerves and Diluc’s hand, you suggest jokingly that the two of you should climb the statue, making it to Barbato’s palms to see all of Mondstat in it’s glory during Windblume. To your surprise, Diluc agrees and begins scaling the marble before you can even register that he was willing! The two of you attempt to climb it without the sisters catching you and are rewarded by the sea of floral decorations, chatty citizens and individuals enjoying their own little worlds. “You see that eagle flying so regally in the sky, watchful and proud? That’ll be me one day.” Diluc’s voice draws your attention to the soaring bird in the sky, free flying like the faith of all Mondstat people. You don’t doubt one bit that Diluc will become that eagle - protecting the City of Freedom and perhaps that’s why you love him so much. He’s dedicated to duty and the very home you’ve come to love. You tell him with a knowing smile, “Until then... Perhaps you should raise one?”

a/n: and that’s my lil fun hc on how diluc got his pet birb <3333 i love diluc sm he's my best boy... i had more angsty thoughts possible but i cut it out cause i think it can be a chara study rather than this fun lil thing!!! hope ur having a good day n loving diluc today <3

note: my blog contains adult/dark content. please do not interact if you are a minor.

𝐒𝐎𝐅𝐓 𝐍𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒 & 𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐒 !

ಌ including: diluc, ayato, kazuha

ಌ genre: fluff

sweetener: ariana grande

୨୧ DILUC :: after a long night of slaying mages and hilichurls you slept soundly in dilucs arms, only to be awoken by soft kisses littering your face. Stirring in your sleep, you heard a foggy voice telling you to wake up, before fluttering your eyes open to see diluc smiling softly at you. "Good morning love, sleep well?" You blushed at the sudden affection so early, you hummed in response. Snuggling into his chest, "Still sleepy?" Nodding agaisnt his chest he chuckled, wrapping an arm around your waist.

"No morning kisses?" A smiled tugged at your lips as you leaned up slightly, pressing a kiss to his lips feeling his warm hand rest on the back of your neck, pulling you deeper into the kiss. Making your heart race from the soft his soft yet passionate embrace, pulling back from the kiss a smirk adorned his face. "You seem a little eager this morning." You commented, your eyes not meeting his ruby ones. "Is it wrong to want love from my princess?" He teased, attacking your neck with kisses.

You erupted in giggles, trying to get diluc to stop his assult on your neck. "Y-you can kiss me all you want ju-just stop!" You managed to say, your breaths ragged as he pulled back. "Really?" You heard the grin in his voice as he smirk grew wider.

This was going to be a long morning

୨୧ AYATO :: you awoke to sunlight pouring in through cerulean curtains, rubbing your eyes gently to see a sleeping ayato, smiling softly seeing his peaceful expression. It really was a sight for sore eyes, even in his sleep he looks breathtaking. Cupping his cheek softly you admired his features before pressing a soft kiss to his nose. "Good morning to you too darling." You giggled as you saw ayato's eyes fluttered open, "Good morning baby." Brushing a strand of hair away from your eyes ayato flashed you a tired smile, "Stay in bed with me for a while?" You hummed in response, feeling a arm pull you closer to his chest.

Placing a kiss on your lips passionate he smiled, "I love you so much princess." Your heart almost beat out of your chest at his words, who are you to not love him back?

୨୧ KAZUHA :: you slept soundly in your bed, feeling someone's weight dip into it slight you stirred in your sleep. "Kazu?" Pressing a soft kiss to your temple he reassured you, "Its me love, its okay go back to sleep." Wrapping an arm around you, he felt your body shuffle closer to his tucking your head under his chin. "missed you kazu." You slurred, your voice laced with sleep. "I missed you more pretty, get some rest now." You hummed in response, feeling his soft lips press a kiss to your cheek.

Kazuha had never failed to make you feel loved in many ways, his haiku's he had wrote with his beautiful handwriting. Describing your beauty and nature in such a descriptive way, his words mimicking his psychical love and affection for you.

"Sleep well my princess."

—drunken acts—

character(s): venti, kaeya, diluc and gorou

gn reader

summary: how they act when they’re drunk

tw/cw: drunk characters, kaeya being flirty towards reader, kaeya being very touchy, venti being loud and obnoxious, diluc being emotional, gorou being a literal puppy, a few swear words

VENTI THE BARD

♡ ooo boy, you sure have your hands full

♡ with venti, when it comes to him being drunk, he’s either aggressive and wants to fight everything and everyone who he lays his eyes on, wants to play his lyre for everyone or he’s really loud and acts like a kid having a sugar rush

♡ this time he’s acting like a kid having a sugar rush

♡ he’s yelling random stuff, talking shit about this barbatos guy he’s heard of, saying how he’d ‘beat the crap out of him’ if he ever laid eyes on him ( little does he know that he’s talking about beating himself up )

♡ proudly talks to random strangers how proud he is that you’re his s/o

“this is my s/o, they’re amazing and I love them to bits! btw, did you know that they are not single? don’t even think about trying to ask them out, they’re way too good for you, you no good piece of shit”

♡ eventually, he falls asleep on the table. yes, you have to carry him all the way home. don’t worry though, he seems really light to carry

♡ don’t tell him about what happened in the morning, because he has a hang over and he doesn’t remember anything that happened, don’t embarrass him or he will most likely cry due to his hang over :(

KAEYA, THE CAVALRY CAPTAIN

♡ he’s a flirty drunk, also gets kinda touchy ig

♡ he thinks that you’re single at first, doesn’t realise you’re dating him, when you tell him you already have a boyfriend when he asks you out, he gets all pouty

♡ man pulls you onto his lap, resting his head into the crook of your neck, which is very ticklish, you can’t help but giggle

♡ doesn’t realise you’re giggling because his breath hitting against your neck tickles, he thinks you’re giggling because you lied to him about already having a boyfriend

“you little minx! how dare you claim that you already have a lover, I can see through your lies. now, let me claim what’s mine, future spouse”

♡ you have to help him walk home, which isn’t easy, he’s not the lightest guy out there. he is very wobbly on his feet when drunk, you low key want to take a picture or a video, you can’t tho because you’d probably end up breaking your phone

♡ in the morning he has to take a day off, because unsurprisingly he’s hung over. he just wants you to cuddle him for most of the day, maybe even get him his breakfast. low key takes advantage of the fact that he’s hung over

DILUC THE BARTENDER

♡ diluc is an emotional drunk at heart, he’s going to be extremely vulnerable and sensitive, please take care of him

♡ he’s going to rant about his father and brother, about how stressful it is to deal with drunk bastards daily

♡ hug him and he’s going to cry so much, it’ll be as if he’s a fountain

♡ just wants someone to talk to about anything that comes to his mind, and you’re the best person for that, because there’s nothing to really hide from you since you’re his s/o

“I’m just sick and tired of being held responsible for everything, I just want to rest for at least a day or two, is that seriously too much to ask for?”

♡ eventually ends up falling asleep, don’t bother waking him up, just close the winery and find a way to get him home

♡ the next morning you tell him that he is going to take a couple of days off, and that jean is working at the winery whilst he rests, spend as much quality time together as possible

GOROU, DOGGY GENERAL OF THE ARMY

♡ he’s a sleepy drunk, also very clingy and affectionate

♡ when he’s sober, he’s quite affectionate and clingy, due to his dog genes, but they increase tenfold when he’s drunk

♡ he will also follow you around if you leave him. going to the bathroom? he’s coming along, he’ll wait outside. going to get some food? he’s tagging along. getting a re-fill? sign him up!

♡ asks you if he can hold your hand across the table, if you say yes, his tail’s going to be thumping so fast that you think it’s going to fly off sometime soon

“(name), can I please hold your hand? really?! thank you!!! I love you so much, you mean the world to me!” he exclaims as his tail thumps aggressively against the chair he’s sat in

♡ carry him bridal style home pls, it’ll be the most comfortable way to carry him back for the both of you, since he’ll most likely doze to sleep, his face nuzzling against your chest, ears twitching and tail wagging

♡ don’t be surprised if he paws at you in the morning, whining about how painful his hang over is, he’ll have to take the day off today, good thing is you can spend some time with him!

mondstadt.

KAEYA, THE CAVALRY CAPTAIN

headcanons

> drunken acts

summary: how they act when drunk

DILUC, THE DARKNIGHT HERO

headcanons

> drunken acts

summary: how they act when drunk

VENTI THE BARD

headcanons

> drunken acts

summary: how they act when drunk

ALBEDO, THE CHALK PRINCE

headcanons

> hand in marriage

summary: albedo’s friend jokingly asks albedo if they can marry his mum

nightmare

ft big brother diluc

summary : diluc comforts you, his younger sibling, when you come crying to him in the middle of the night after dreaming about your deceased father

reader is gender neutral

genre : hurt/comfort (?)

cw/tw : reader dreams about death, mentions of seeing a dead body lmk if there are any more!

🦅 | DILUC

where were you? you can’t exactly tell right now, everything’s too blurry. a sudden groan interrupts your train of thought, so you decide to investigate. slowly treading along the unknown path, a gruesome sight beholds you, crepus, your father, in a puddle of his own blood.

jolting up, you double check your surroundings, sweat soaking your body, breath short and labored, and are those tears cascading down your face? recognising your surroundings as the dawn winery, you’re thumping heart calms a little.

quickly jumping out of bed, you proceed to somewhat sprint out of your room and towards your brothers’. even in stress, you desperately knock on the door, praying to the archons that your brother is awake or home.

the door opens, revealing diluc, who at first seemed confused, but as he realised who it is, he quickly kneels down to the ground and opens his arms, to which you don’t hesitate and run into his embrace.

diluc picked you up, holding you upright and rubbing your back. you noticed that your breathing became less labored as you melted into his warmth, which in a way was very similar to your fathers.

no words were exchanged throughout the night, yet diluc could tell that you dreamt of him yet again. the red head insisted that you slept with him tonight, and that it won’t be any trouble at all.

you begrudgingly agreed to his request and slept in his bed, snuggling right up against him throughout the whole night. surprisingly you didn’t have another nightmare that night, you only dreamt of the happy times when your father was alive and your brothers were close to each other.

content belongs to fluffyganyu on tumblr, DO NOT REPOST ON ANY SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS WHATSOEVER

the only content that doesn’t belong to me is the characters, they belong to hoyoverse

mistletoe

[kaeya, diluc, childe x gn reader]

╰┈➤ includes; various types of kisses, EXTREME fluff, kinda suggestive ig

╰┈➤ this content is rated 16+ for the suggestive content, please refrain from reading if under 16

╰┈➤ merry Christmas/happy holidays everyone! thanks so much for 900+ followers too <3

for kaeya, Christmas is a really special occasion, mainly cause during Christmas diluc is actually nice to him and invites him over to the dawn winery for Christmas dinner

and that hasn’t changed just cause he’s dating you, diluc doesn’t mind inviting you too, as long as you guys don’t act too lovey dovey around him

when at the dawn winery, adelinde cooks so much food, and all of it is the best thing that has ever existed

when you and kaeya were about to leave, the sneaky bastard held up a mistletoe over your heads

he gives you a shit eating smirk before placing his lips over yours, giving you a chaste yet sweet kiss

when you guys separated, you were shocked that he didn’t go all out

“I’m not going all out since diluc’s here, and I can just about wait till we get back home for some more fun~” he cood, lightly tapping you on the butt as you hid your face into his chest so he couldn’t see your flustered expression

safe to say the morning after, you couldn’t walk at all :)

he doesn’t mind Christmas, the only problem is he’s busier than ever since there’s quite a lot of work to do before he spends the holiday with you

he doesn’t like it, but it’s what needs to be done

one day when he came back home and was greeted by your embrace, he looked up since he noticed something green on the entrance of the house, only to roll his eyes in realisation

“did you put that there?” he queried, with a small grin on his face, he was shocked but not surprised since you tend to do this every. single. year, it’s like a tradition of yours at this point

“maybe, who knows? it could’ve been adelinde” you simply shrugged, placing your hands around dilucs neck and lightly swaying

sighing in response, he leant in for the kiss, only to be responded by your lips unexpectedly crashing against his, biting his lip, making him flinch so that you could explore his mouth with your tongue

he let out a muffled groan in response, large calloused hands wrapping around your waist

you jumped up into his embrace, wrapping your legs tightly against his slutty slim waist, diluc helping by holding onto your butt

next morning the bed was ‘surprisingly’ broken, a disappointed adelinde with her arms crossed against her chest, you and diluc covered in scratch and bite marks

if possible, every year he heads back to snezhnaya to visit his family and spend the holidays there

this year he had time off luckily, and so he also brought you

this is the first time you’ve seen his family, yes you’ve heard of them all from ajax, especially of teucer, but you’re still very nervous about meeting them, especially his mother

when you arrived at the door, you were sweating buckets, ajax simply held your gloves hand into his larger hand that was bare since he’s so used to this weather

first thing that happens is teucer screams that you two have to kiss since you’re both standing underneath the mistletoe

ajax obviously acts first, giving you a small kiss on the lips before rushing towards teucer and spinning him around before embracing him into a tight bear hug

yes, he brought so many presents for everyone, he even brought some that are for you (the rest are back in liyue, where you originally reside)

his mother was so nice to you, giving you a nice big hug as soon as she saw you, and calling you beautiful/handsome etc.

she’s surprisingly tall, obviously ginger, and has quite a curvy chubby body, she’s berry huggable and so sweet

despite her adorable appearance, her face seems quite intimidating at first glance, but she’s the sweetest lady you have ever met

you, ajax, and the rest of the family had such fun at the dinner table and playing all sorts of games before you had to go to sleep due to the fact that you were both heading back the day after

content belongs to @huboi on tumblr, DO NOT REPOST ON ANY SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS WHATSOEVER

I'm going to die of fluff.

@fadedjae​

diluc + white + checklist

— 𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠. diluc x gn!reader

— 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭. drabble ; 1.0k

— 𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞. established relationship au ; fluff

[ 𝐂𝐎𝐋𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐕𝐈𝐒𝐈𝐎𝐍 ]

Keep reading

《Embers of Longing》

[Genshin Diluc, Fluff Drabbles]

Pairing: Diluc x Gn!reader

Note: Image(s) is not mine and credit goes to its original owner.

Summary: Diluc seeks solace in the imaginary embrace of y/n, the one person who can unravel his stoic exterior.

The darkened room in Dawn Winery was illuminated only by the soft glow of flickering candlelight. Diluc, usually stoic and reserved, found himself seeking solace in the comforting embrace of a y/n body pillow. The flames of his vision may have been extinguished, but the embers of longing still burned within him.

As he held the pillow close, he imagined the gentle touch and soothing voice of y/n, the one person who could break through the walls he had built around his heart. In the quiet of the night, Diluc found solace in the illusion, allowing himself a moment of vulnerability that only the softness of the pillow could provide.

For a fleeting moment, the weight of responsibilities lifted, and in the warmth of the imaginary embrace, Diluc allowed himself to feel the connection he so desperately craved.

☁️ talk of the town | with diluc ragnvindr (wc: 730)

cw: soft!diluc, gn!reader, nonsexual intimacy, cuddling n snuggling, brief mentions of insecurities, fluff

a tired diluc is a soft and clingy diluc, you’ve found, but even in his sleepy state, he knows just how to make you feel safe and loved.

this blog contains 18+ content. minors please dni.

Keep reading

hi i saw the best friends to lovers post!!

" the first kiss and the realization of “it’s always been you” "

with either diluc or zhongli, if you would! whichever youre more comfortable with :D (preferably gn reader please & thank you)

YES thank you i love this I'm so excited omg this took me a millennia and i am so sorry about that /sob

the kiss was fervent, but it was also hesitant - it was filled with uncertainty, the looming dread of the conversation that comes after the kiss. the crushing reality that's now befallen both parties - that diluc ragnvindr is promised to another; yet he's here - the night before his wedding - holding you. kissing you.

archons, what have you gotten yourself into.

"diluc," you start, voice a whisper against his lips, "we can't."

his grip on your hips tighten as he parts from you, his forehead resting upon your own.

"i'll call off the wedding. I can head over to the winery now to let miss kamisato know-"

"diluc, no. listen to yourself. if you marry miss kamisato then the winery-"

"the winery will be fine on its own. this merger with the kamisato's were insurance, nothing more." you open your mouth to object further, but before you could diluc hushes you with another kiss, moving his arms up to secure you in an embrace before parting to press his lips against the shell of your ear. "lady ayaka knows. she urged me herself to come here tonight."

"she what?"

"she has someone too. back home. we spoke of it earlier this evening," he says, but you were too busy trying to wrap your mind around your current situation to properly hear his reply. diluc notices the worried tension still inlaid within your brows, and he sighs. "hey, look at me." he lightly takes your chin and turns it up toward him until you eventually met his gaze. you search his eyes for any shred of concern, worry, or doubt - but all you saw was unwavering love. you shudder as the undeniable feeling of a stuttering heart overwhelms you, and in an effort to keep steady you grip the lapels of his coat, pulling him flush against you.

diluc leaned in once more, voice falling into a whisper.

"i will gladly sacrifice pieces of me for the things i cherish in this life, so one word from you, and we may never speak of this again. i will marry miss kamisato as planned, and we can pretend the boundaries of our friendship were never crossed. i will do this if it will make you happy." you see the flash of worry in his eyes then, the undeniable spark of fear that made your stomach twist in guilt. "but please, love, let me be selfish. just this once."

there it was again. that painfully whole ache in your chest. you loved him. and he loved you.

"okay," you whisper. you bring your hands up to cup his face as you see him smile for the first time in what felt like years.

"okay," he whispers back, before capturing your lips with his once more.

a/n - ok so this lowkey (highkey) ran from me but i think it still kind of fits the prompt??? maybe??? hopefully???? hopefully you like it bub regardless bub &lt;3 this is officially my first genshin piece on this blog and im so excited to be officially moving my content into genshin!! <3

✧ reblogs appreciated!

"hands off! I'm taken!" — diluc .

synopsis !! you pick up your drunk lover from the tavern

note !! I finally posted something! my schedule is still full but things should settle down more by september :> enjoy this fun fic!

contains !! gn reader, ft. kaeya and others! alcohol consumption, not proofread

Your lover rarely drinks. Scratch that, he doesn't drink at all if he could help it.

So whatever encouraged him to drink tonight of all nights was beyond you. It wasn't his shift in the bar, yet he insisted you shouldn't wait for him as he might come home late from the tavern. Apparently, he'll be meeting up with Kaeya, Jean, and a few others.

You're overjoyed, of course! It's not everyday your overworking lover decides to take a break and meet up with his old friends, much less those who are involved with the knights. You practically pushed him on his way to socialize and have fun.

Perhaps he had too much fun.

It was past midnight when you stopped by the tavern, seeing as you lived nearby anyway.

Diluc sat amongst a small crowd. You recognize them to be Kaeya, Jean, Lisa, Venti, and Rosaria, each nursing their own drink in their hands. What surprised you was that Diluc had a glass of his own— emptied, and that Kaeya was pouring him another round.

"Ah, it seems like your ticket home has arrived, D," Kaeya muses upon spotting you. The redhead only huffs in reply.

"What a joyous occasion! Come join us, (Name)!" Venti cheers, swinging around his large mug.

It's only when you approached the group did you notice your lover's unfocused eyes, glazed over as he blinks away at nothing.

"What did you do?" You raise an eyebrow, eyes narrowing suspiciously at Kaeya. The Cavalry Captain raises his hands in defense.

"You're accusing me? I'm hurt," He chuckles, "You and I both know he isn't so easy to trick into drinking."

You glance over at Jean, who gives you a sympathetic laugh, "It's true. Surprisingly, sir decided to drink tonight. It wasn't that much, I assure you."

"Wasn't that much, she says, yet he looks just about ready to pass out," Rosaria mutters, sipping on her own glass. You let out a sigh, seems like you'll be responsible for taking him home tonight. You're not bothered at all, in fact, you're a little glad he decided to let loose and have fun, no matter how unusual it seems.

If anything, it's a little funny to see him look gruff and cold, he doesn't even seem drunk until you notice the flush on his face and the spin in his eyes. Grabbing an empty glass and filling it with water from a pitcher, you gesture for the redhead to drink.

"Come on, 'Luc, drink some water and let's get you home."

He turns his head away to the side. You raise an eyebrow.

"'Luc, drink some water."

"No."

". . . You need to sober up–"

"No."

His head arcs further away from you, arms crossed. You glance at his face, is he. . . is he seriously pouting right now? Kaeya chuckles next to you. You aren't sure what kind of drunk shenanigan is going through his mind, but you decided to let it slide, opting to bring him home instead.

"Alright then, let's get out of here instead." With a hand on his shoulder, you gesture for him to stand but he wacks it away. Diluc? Your Diluc?? Wacked your hand away???

You blink at him before recovering to grab onto his arm, trying to pull him up, "Come on, 'Luc! We got to get you home!"

"No! Hands off!" He sluggishly pushes you, failing but he plops back onto his seat.

"What?"

"Hands off me! I'm taken!"

You freeze. The little group around you pauses as well. There's a loud snort in the air, presumably from Venti.

"Diluc, what?" You bite back your laugh. Laughing at the drunk is bad etiquette, you really shouldn't. You really, really shouldn't.

"I'm–" He slurs, facing you with a pointed look and a loopy glare, "Taken. Go find someone else to mooch."

Archons, help you not to burst out laughing in this situation.

Opting to giggle behind closed lips, you squat next to his chair, reaching out to cup his cheek but he scoots away from your touch.

"Diluc," You laugh, "It's me."

"Not- not interested."

"I'm literally your lover."

He blinks at you. You aren't sure if you got through him but he immediately stands upright, wobbling from the action. You catch him by the waist for support.

"Woah there, are you ready to go?"

"I'm going-" He tests his steps, "Going home to my darling, (Name)." With shaky hands, he pushes you aside, "I told you I have a lover!"

A loud laugh starts from behind you. Kaeya hunches over the table, gripping his stomach as the rest try to hide their chuckles behind their hands.

"Oh dear, my dear brother," The cryo user stands, wiping a tear from his eye, "Seems like you truly had too much tonight. This person here is assigned to take you to (Name)." The sly smile on Kaeya's face tells you to play along.

Diluc rubs at his eyes, everything seems to swirl, "Really?"

"Yes."

". . . Alright then."

Was he really that easy to trick? Your jaw could've dropped open. As expected of Kaeya who naturally dealt with all of Diluc's drunk shenanigans.

"Let's go then. . ." Diluc mumbles, glancing at you, "But no touching."

At his first step, he nearly trips over his feet if it wasn't for you grabbing onto his arm. You wrap it over your shoulder, pulling him upright.

"Surely, it's alright if I hold onto your arm?" You try to reason.

". . . Okay."

With a side glance at Kaeya and the rest, you nod them goodbye as they wave their pleasantries. Now that you're outside the tavern, you decide to take your drunk lover to your home nearby, a place he's frequently visited.

"Honestly, whatever made you drink so much tonight. . ." You huff, grabbing onto him and trying to get him to walk normally.

"My lover, you see. . ." He trails off.

"What about your lover?" You can't help but prod. Surely, you haven't done something wrong, right?

"Everything. . . Everything about them." Diluc mumbles, a sigh escaping him, "Just— amazing."

You can't help the way your lips sorts into a smile.

"Really?"

"Yes."

"That must be nice. Is that why you don't want to go home with me?" You can't help but tease as he glowers, turning his face to get a better look at you. You notice the way his eyes look clearer now.

". . . As mentioned, I–" A groan, "Am devoted to my lover, no matter how charming you look."

"Mhmm, sure, yeah." You laugh, taking in his compliment, "You're devoted, alright."

"It's true–" He pushes away from you to fumble with his coat in an enthusiasm that's only seen when he's drunk, "Would you like to see the ring?"

Ring? What ring? You freeze in your steps as he digs into his pockets, pulling out an enclosed little box with intricate carvings. He opens it to reveal a ring– one you've only ever dreams of having (and receiving from him). The details, a testament to how much he knows what you like, while mixing in his own interests.

Your heart skips a beat.

"'Luc–"

"Archons, I'm nervous," He groans into his hand, carefully closing the box despite his drunken mannerisms, "I can't even– can't even sleep at night thinking about it."

You're still in shock as you gaze up at him. Sure, you've talked about a future together, but it always felt so far away— Diluc was too busy, always with something else to prioritize and it didn't seem like the right time for him no matter how right it was for you.

"Is. . . Is that why you drank?"

He looks at you with a raised brow, "Nervousness is one thing. I needed everyone's advice as well." Your heart flutters, was he ever this thoughtful? The answer is yes. You reach out to him again, hands as shaky as his own, but yours shook in happiness.

"Diluc, I—"

He lurches, a heaving sound down his throat as if threatening to puke. You reach out, holding onto him again with a small laugh, "Alright, alright, let's get you home first, Luc."

He groans in reply, voice wobbly and weak, "I'm. . . taken. . . "

"I know, my love."

•

Sunshine filters into the bedroom and Diluc shuffles under the covers. His head was throbbing, his throat felt dry, he's reminded again why he never drinks.

Grape juice is definitely better. Grape juice is yummy. Why can't he make a grape juice relaxant? He sure as heck can, what's his money for if he can't fund an entire academic foundation focusing on the production of anxiety-calming juice?

Before he could even begin to think about the business prospects and expenses to spare, your footsteps catches his attention as you enter the room.

"Slept well?"

He brushes his hair back, sitting up groggily, "I've had better nights."

"Here, have some water." You gesture to the cup in your hands to which he drinks from obediently.

"Thank you."

"I'm just glad that you're allowing me to offer you water." You bite back a chuckle.

"What?"

Standing up with a hum and a shrug, you turn away from him, "I don't know. Last night, you wouldn't even let me touch you."

His eyebrows furrow together, "That's ridiculous. Why would I do that?"

"Apparently, you have a lover, and I was trying to tempt you away into my home~"

Diluc freezes like a deer in the headlights, heat rushing up his face, turning it a shade as red as his hair, "I. . . said that?"

You laugh, turning towards him as you begin to explain everything that happened in the tavern and how his friends reacted. This only helped to worsen his embarrassment.

"I'm going to kill Kaeya. . ." he mutters under his breath, hiding away his face before peeking at you, "And then I suppose you walked me home? Did I. . . say anything after?"

You spotted the way his eyes glance to his coat, hanging by the door. Your lips twitch into a smile.

"Nope. You were quiet the whole way home."

You can't wait to embarrass him even more after his proposal.

masterlist 02 || commissions via ko-fi

note !! writing this made me all the drunk embarrassing moments 😭

taglist !! @absolut-wildflower @boundedbyfate @sadlonelybagel @eissaaaa @ladycoleigh @nejibot @milkypompon @bloodreaper08 @irethepotato @x-zho @roriver @mich-cola @mxsomn @ackrylik @nicebonescomrade @starforecasts @stygianoir @yuminako @eccedentesiast-sapphic @nebulaera @nuttytani @klutzkat @stygianoir14

little star — diluc 。

synopsis!! everyone knows the creator doesn't favor diluc (everyone is wrong).

cw !! gn reader, reader is peak diluc simp 😐 somewhat self-aware characters, mild sagau themes (not too much), reader is recognized as the player, reader is a little shy at first. angst with reverse comfort!

note !! the plot feels a little everywhere but i tried to organize it as best as i can, i think i got carried away eheh honestly doesn't feel up to my standards but it was pretty enjoyable to write

word count !! 2.8k something

"No, it's definitely Outrider Amber, she was the first to ever be favored."

"Are you kidding me? Outrider Amber may be the first, but sir Kaeya was definitely loved. Have you seen the sword he was gifted with?" One growls.

"It's the Acting Grand Master Jean!" Someone slams the table with his beer mug, "Twice was she bestowed with fallen stars of gold."

"I'd say that wolf boy in the woods seem lucky."

"It has to be Bennett. I don't know why but that kid has two crowns! Two!"

"You're all missing out on Miss Lisa!"

"Stop, stop! You rowdy drunks! Every vision holder in Mond has been granted favor, this is just impossible to decide!"

There was a pause. "Well. . . not every." Someone mumbles under their breath.

"Not every? Who's the poor allogene that couldn't even get the Player's favo—" Shushing sounds break his sentence, the men glare at their companion, pointing to the redhead behind the bar.

It's useless, really.

Diluc has been listening in the entire time. He can't really help it when their voices were loud enough to reach where he stood. Still, he was merciful and pretended not to hear. He's not exactly bothered by what they're saying. It was the truth, after all.

For two years, vision holders all around Teyvat were being granted favor.

It often begins with a meteor shower gracing the sky.

A star gently falling into the hands of a vision holder, embracing them in warm light.

They call the ethereal sensation as something akin to "coming home".

The favored would then be given different things; quality weapons, enhanced abilities, beautiful crowns— Some allogenes were even gifted summer apparel (Mondstadt is proud that their Gunnhildr sisters were one of the very first). Even their equipped wings would change into ornamented works of art!

It's been two years, and it seems like every allogene he knows of has received the Player's grace.

He supposed he just wasn't favored. It isn't too difficult to believe that he isn't likable.

He convinces himself it's fine.

It's fine if his summoned weapon is a cheap claymore made of scrap metal. It's still efficient to have the extra blade while he manually carries around another claymore (commissioned from Wagner as the best money could buy). Or that his abilities can only be improved through hardwork, unlike the many who broke the limits of their power through your favor.

It's fine.

As the bar goers leave for the night, as Venti and Kaeya wave around their almost divine-looking five-star weapons to show the crowd, and as he's closing up the tavern and retreating to his upstair quarters for comfort, he convinces himself that the he'll be okay on his own.

•

The arrival of the Creator was festive and grand; The day the sky parted itself and glowed as the brightest of all stars fell with grace into Mondstadt's very own Windrise.

Teyvat rejoices in the ecstatic ideal of being loved.

A meeting of vision holders was quickly held in the Cathedral, discussing immediate plans as some of the most favored (Venti, Jean, Kaeya, Albedo to name a few) went ahead to fetch the Creator from the large tree.

While Diluc was often the center of any other meeting due to his authority and influence, this was something he chose to step back from. Standing by the windows, away from the meeting, he watched on as Eula and the rest conversed around the circular table.

He isn't even sure why he's invited. Perhaps they felt it was obligatory for vision holders, regardless of favorability? Then again, he could always offer a fraction of his mountain-loads of wealth to help with the festivities.

At least he's competent at being a wallet.

As the others pull out their crowns and stars, weapons and artifacts, eager to thank the one responsible for the gifts, an unknown emotion bubbles in his stomach. It's faint, but it's there.

He tries to look away.

"Everyone, everyone! They're entering the gates!" Fischl announces uncharacteristically to the room as her eye glows brightly, undoubtedly looking through Oz's eyes from the sky.

"We should wait by the statue to welcome them, right?" Barbara chirps in, hands clasped and wavy hair bouncing with every step.

Diluc watches as people steadily leave the room, following last as they walk down the steps to greet the approaching group. Some civilians gathered to see the scene, others didn't really understand what a Player or Creator was to a vision holder, while Diluc—

Diluc stood by the steps to see them crowd around you.

You, surrounded with words of gratitude and cheerful squeals. He sees the smile on your face and feels relief that you don't seem too overwhelmed.

He leaves the area without a second thought.

•

He doesn't exactly see you around the next few days. With Mondstadt celebrating a new festival, the taverns were always full and busy with customers (both local and foreign). You were probably busy too, spending time with the different allogenes and entertaining those who came from Liyue to meet you. He's heard of a funeral consultant with three crowns (are consultants that admirable of a job to you?) and an adeptus gifted with various five-star polearms (this was understandable for the adepti, unlike the consultant).

He doesn't expect to see you at all until you leave for the next nation, honestly.

That is, until the tavern settles into a more peaceful atmosphere and Jean rushes in with several other allogenes. It's unusual to see his childhood friend in the tavern; still, he greets her amicably and asks what brings her here.

"(Name) will be coming here soon with Kaeya and a few others. It's a little impromptu, but we were hoping for a place to settle in with drinks. Perhaps try some apple cider." She smiles, taking a seat by the bar.

(Name)? Jean was already on a first name basis with the Creator?

Diluc thinks perhaps Jean truly is the favorite, she does have a few golden stars in her home.

Somehow, it's not surprising at all to know that his apple cider was famous enough to drag you in. At least there's something about the Dawn Winery in your favor. He promptly gets his employees to work, clearing a few tables near the bar, rearranging the furniture to give space good enough for a group.

Your entrance into the bar was just as lively; with your favored allogenes chatting away with you, everyone falling into place at different parts of the tavern, ordering drinks and meals.

He's glad you enjoy apple cider.

•

You're trying to play it cool, really. Trying your best not to get overexcited and glomp everyone and everything.

You're taking things step by step as you converse with Jean, Lisa, and Albedo; as you share meals with Barbara and Sucrose; as you play with Klee and Diona; tour the city with Fischl and Bennett. There's plenty of time to meet everyone and your schedule has been filled to the brim with all the fun your having.

You'll see that glimpse of red hair again— one that was lingering by the Cathedral staircase. Diluc doesn't like crowds, so it's fine that he isn't approaching you. It's also fine that he hasn't visited at least once, unlike the several raging from Liyue to Sumeru who took the journey to meet you early.

Diluc is too busy a person to meet you; whether it's because of the winery or his darknight hero duties, you wouldn't dare take his time.

— but when are you supposed to give him all the gifts you've brought for him???

Your determination to build him up in one go, from Talent levels to Constellations to Artifacts and Weaponry, all came down to this moment — and the man was simply nowhere to be seen!

An unknowingly loud sigh escapes your lips, catching the attention of the Cavalry Captain next to you.

"Now, what's got our (Name) so down in the dumps?" Kaeya hums, glancing at your face as you stutter a response.

"Aah it's not that, it's just. . ."

Your brother is too busy, I just want to meet him!!

"I'm thirsty." You deflect, looking around for a stall. The streets of Mond were nothing like the minimized version you see in the game; with the city being ten times larger than what you remembered it to be.

"Oh! Oh! Klee suggests apple cider!" The little girl giggles, running around your legs in excitement, "Angel's Share is nearby and big brother Albedo alwaaays takes me there for apple cider!"

Angel's Share. Bartender. A great idea has appeared!

At the excited look on your face, Jean walks up ahead of you.

"Why don't I go and inform the tavern to prepare us a space first, it would save us the waiting time."

"That would be great, Jean!"

•

You hope you aren't being too obvious.

With the way your eyes would linger on him, casting side glances and hoping he would greet you to strike up a conversation, the way most allogenes do. You didn't want to abruptly disturb his work, nor do you want seem desperate, so you waited for his initiative.

Yet, Diluc lingers just a little outside your group's circle. Your food and drinks were refilled by Charles, you've talked with nearly everyone but the person you want to talk to.

"It's getting pretty late, we should head home for the night." Someone suggests.

What?

No!

"Hm? Do you still have something in mind?" Kaeya asks. You realized you said it out loud, catching the attention of nearby patrons.

With a frantic glance around the tavern, your eyes make contact with Diluc's. He pauses as well, wondering what caused your little outburst.

You are definitely not leaving, not when you don't know when you could catch Diluc in his free time again! You'd be leaving for Liyue by then!

Hands slamming the table to stand up and with a small burst of courage, you approach the bartender who turns away from Charles. He raises an eyebrow at your approach. It's odd the way you feel flustered and nervous, finally facing him.

Pausing just in front of him, he looks on curiously.

"Would you like a refill?" He asks.

"A-ah no, I mean, yes but that's not why I'm here. I. . ." You stutter, stumbling over your words as you try not to behave awkwardly. Should you start with a casual topic?

"You seem to be quite busy." You say.

Diluc blinks. He isn't sure what you're implying. Neither is Kaeya or Jean, who stopped to look at the exchange of words.

"I suppose. . . but as a winery, we do thrive in impromptu festivities." He replies curtly before realizing, was it rude that he never visited the Creator?

"Ah, is it my lack of visit? I apologize, I would have visited but it seems that you were quite satisfied with your favorites and-"

"No, no, no," You wave your hand, cutting him off, "I understand you're busy. You don't have to visit at all! How could I take your time— wait," You pause, recalling his words.

"Favorites?" You tilt your head, "What do you mean I seemed satisfied with my favorites? What do you mean by favorites?"

"Your favorites... allogenes who received your favor. Those you have granted gifts."

Your jaw laxes. Favorites? They decided you play favorites based on how much you've built them?

"You think. . ." You say carefully, not wanting to hurt anyone's feelings, "That I offer gifts to my favorites?"

Diluc nods slowly, unsure of your questioning.

Although it would be a lie to say you didn't have your personal favorites, it would still be inaccurate that it's based on gifts. After all, you built everyone who came home by chance. As an avid player, you did your best to farm and push everyone to their full potential.

Diluc, however, never came home no matter how much you wanted him to. It can't be possible that he doesn't know how much he is loved, right?

"Then what about you?" You blurt out, "How do you think I view you?"

He stares at you oddly. At this point, many around you had stopped to tune in. Everyone knew Master Diluc never received your favor, so why are you conversing with him?

Meanwhile, Diluc wonders if you want him to admit it. Must he say it in front of everyone how he never received gifts?

"I suppose. . . I'm not one of them. It's quite understandable. I don't intend to question your judgement—"

"What?" You exclaim, a look of shock crosses your face, "You think I don't like you?" Voice raised in disbelief, you feel the eyes of many turning to watch the scene.

Diluc mirrors your confusion.

"I can't believe you would– no, that isn't it at all!" You stutter over your words, a frantic need to prove him wrong goes through you, "You— you of all people!"

"Me?" He repeats.

"I've always wanted you!"

A silence settles over the tavern. Did you have to put it so bluntly? You freeze in shock at your own words. Diluc's expression of disbelief turns flustered, face turning as red as his hair.

Explain yourself.

"I- I mean, I've always wanted you to come home. Ever since the start, really! It's just that you never did-"

"Hmm... so it implies that it's out of your control, correct?" Kaeya piqued, looking on curiously. He's been listening in the entire time. You nod your head.

"Yes! It's a game of chance for me as well. It's not to say that favor is an accident, I truly wanted everyone to come home! It's just that—" You turn to Diluc, "You never did, no matter how much I wanted you to. How was I supposed to give you your gifts?"

Diluc snaps out of his shock, blinking at you, "Gifts?"

"Yes, gifts! I've been saving them up for you, ever since the start." You pause, shyly looking away, "When I said I wanted you since the beginning I meant it. I came here for you, after all."

He looks at you in disbelief, and probably half the tavern as well. You can't help the small chuckle from your lips. With an outstretched hand, something materializes between you. It glows a blinding golden light, before settling to reveal–

"Wolf's Gravestone. It's a weapon for you."

You didn't have to say it— anyone with eyes could see how it was practically made for Diluc. With large handles and a color scheme that matches his own, Wolf's gravestone doesn't look as divine or ethereal as the other weapons you've gifted, but it looked just as powerful, if not menacing.

With a gesture, Diluc grips the handle.

"Fits like a glove." Kaeya whistles, impressed. As does the rest of the tavern who stopped to stare.

Suddenly, flames burst forth from the weapon. It sears and glows red. Unlike the common claymore that can't handle the the prowess of Diluc's flames, Wolf's Gravestone embraces it. Like an extension of his own hand.

He breaks his gaze away from the weapon to look at you.

"Thank you. . ." He mutters softly, but it's genuine. You smile.

"That's not the last of it, you know."

"What?"

With another flick of your hand, artifacts and talent books materialize. They flow around him like a dance as more and more begin to appear, lighting up the tavern like the night sky.

"I told you I brought gifts!"

All the days spent farming for him and other pyro characters finally paid off. The glimmering artifacts reflected in his own red eyes as he stares, entranced.

Favor did not come to him in meteor showers like it did to the other allogenes; rather, it came to him in your form. Proof of him being loved. The spectacle continued— after the artifacts and talent levels were the constellation (the crowd ooh'ed and aah'ed at the sight), then came the five star apparel (a nostalgic sight to him, and it changed his flames to a darker red), and the ascension materials you passed off as trinkets.

By the end of it, he had a hand over his lower face, his red bangs hid just the ends of his eyes. "I just thought I wasn't that favorable. . ." He muttered and you leaned in to peek at his covered face, wondering why he was shying away.

But it was evident to the tavern— the pink dusted ears, the flushed cheeks, and the overwhelming emotion in his eyes. Diluc Ragnvindr was flustered, and it's a sight enough to make even the drunks place down their beers for a closer look.

You bit your lip, trying to prevent the widest of smiles, "Do you believe yourself loved now?" You ask and he gives the faintest of nods.

"Thank you," He says, "For favoring me."

m.list 2 || consider supporting me on ko-fi ! || sagau m.list

note !! THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO BE a very short brainrot that became a fic huhuhuhu

I don't often write creator sagau themes but here we are! this is like peak diluc simpery idk ive never been this down for a man. i wrote this immediately after getting his skin i just got so excited 😅 I wanted to spoil him so bad (but i gave all his mats to thoma before he came home :< )

taglist !! @absolut-wildflower @boundedbyfate @sadlonelybagel @eissaaaa @ladycoleigh @nejibot @milkypompon @bloodreaper08 @irethepotato @x-zho @roriver @mich-cola @mxsomn @ackrylik @nicebonescomrade @starforecasts @stygianoir @yuminako @eccedentesiast-sapphic @nebulaera @nuttytani @klutzkat @shizunxie

i loved you on a moonlit summer night

pair. diluc ragnvindr x gn!reader

content: tooth-rotting fluff, love at first sight, allusions to reincarnation but no actual instances of reincarnation

synopsis. diluc knows that he doesn't belong in mondstadt anymore. he doesn't belong anywhere— no place to truly call home and nothing in this world but vengeance in his heart. but on a wintery day on dragonspine, he finds his salvation: a box of cecelias, a fire seelie, and the owner of the best flower shop in the city.

wc. 8.4k

a/n: thank you to my beautiful @hyomagiri for beta reading, helping edit and hyping this fic up to the max. i ended up feeling confident enough to post this because of her, three cheers for ellie i love you to the moon and back <3

WINTER

It wasn’t his fault. How was he supposed to know that buried beneath blankets of snow and sheets of ice, there would be Cecelias?

Fire seelies are usually reliable with a bounty of treasure waiting at the end of their path. He isn't sure why it led him here, to some inconspicuous pile of snow which he hastily melted without realizing there was something precious hidden within.

The mistake doesn’t register with Diluc until the sweet scent of flowers and ash and burning wood wafts under his nose. He blinks in confusion at the pile, perfectly burnt to a crisp and resting at the tip of his boots.

Boxed up flowers? What are they doing out in the middle of the mountain?

He remembers then, a story someone once told him— he can't put a name to the voice but it echoes in the hollow chambers of his heart:

"Did you know that you can preserve the freshness of flowers? All you have to do is box them up nice and tight and store them in the snow."

It's an interesting tidbit of information. He can't for the life of him remember where he heard it from, though.

Wind howls in his ears, powdery snow from over the horizon plowing down the mountainside and into his face. It doesn't deter him from examining the scene. The fire seelie floats just above his shoulder, quiet now as it looks at the pile.

He’s entirely distracted by the sight, unsure of what to make of the strange discovery, until he hears the crunch of snow behind him. With the Fatui lingering around the foot of the mountain, he expects to whip around and face an enemy. He even braces himself to be knocked off his feet by a wild boar.

Instead, his sudden movement frightens you and makes you stumble back until you fall flat onto the ground.

There’s a long pause of silence that stuffs the air, neither you nor him tearing your eyes away from each other. You freeze like a deer caught in headlights, so still that it looks like you've succumbed to the frozen climate of the mountain. He breathes a slow sigh of relief when a wavering exhale leaves your lips in the form of a puff of cloudy air.

The heart resting in his chest stirs. An ancient dull ache, thrumming in the depths of his body as he looks at you in surprise.

Again, there's a voice in his ear. This time, he recognizes it as his father:

"Your mother? I fell in love at first sight."

Growing up, he never quite understood that string of words. First sight? How could someone fall in love at first sight?

Diluc Ragnvindr is a million things, but romantic is not one of them. Love at first sight is a silly fairytale that parents tell their children to tuck them into bed. It's something that could never exist in such a cruel world, plagued by monsters and evil.

It's easy for him to close his heart off to the idea of something as ridiculous as love at first sight, despite the way his eyes haven't left yours. And he's painfully aware of the way you're looking at him too, but he does his best to ignore your gawking.

Maybe he's catching a cold. He doesn't feel well all of the sudden.

Your gaze drifts to the pile of ash just behind him and you sigh, putting your head into your hands wet from snow.

"You found my seelie," you murmur, sounding very unimpressed. He blinks at you until you continue, "Those were important, you know. They were for a very special occasion."

Diluc takes in your form, clothes thin and unfit for the snowy conditions of Dragonspine. Even without the chilly altitude of the mountain, this winter in general was particularly bitter. He almost wants to scold you for dressing so thoughtlessly, even though he doesn't know your name.

"My apologies. I will reimburse you whatever the cost, and more."

"It's... not about that," you tell him from your place on the ground, still not looking at him. You seem stressed. His heart squeezes terribly.

"Not about what?"

"Mora."

He falls silent, so quiet that you finally peer up at him wondering whether or not he's even still standing there. And he is, regarding you with a thoughtful expression. His presence is so unnoticeable despite being right in front of you that it makes your skin crawl.

"How can I make it up to you?" He asks, extending his hand for you to take. Your clothes are soaked through already, cold and frozen from the subzero temperature. It doesn't help soothe his worries that he can feel a storm coming. He should get you out of here as soon as possible.

You huff, allowing him to drag you to your feet. It's then that you realize how warm he is, almost hot to the touch. The faint glimmer of a Vision dangles on his hip. Your eyes flicker back to his and he nearly jolts out of his skin.

"Don't worry about it. It's alright," you tell him though you sound disingenuous about it. You're obviously distracted, probably wondering how to explain to your client that their expensive flowers ended up as a pile of ash.

"It was my mistake. Please, let me know if there's anything at all I can do," he replies earnestly.

"Really, it's fine," you sound slightly exasperated by his stubbornness. If it were anyone ordinary, they would have taken your mercy and left you to freeze on the mountain without a second thought.

Diluc Ragnvindr is no ordinary man.

It takes him a moment to realize his hand is still gripping yours rather tightly. He recoils with an awkward cough.

“What are you doing out here in the mountains?” He asks. It dawns on him then what a stupid question it is, since you’ve obviously come to collect your frozen flowers. You tell him anyways:

"I buried some flowers further up the mountain a few days ago," you sigh, "not sure if I can find them anymore, though. That's why I've been following this little one around."

You scratch under the seelie's chin. Well, where you would imagine its chin to be, at least. It seems thrilled by the affection.

"It's going to storm soon. You should head back down the mountain and try again later."

"It's urgent," you insist, ready to brush past him and continue the trek up.

He stops you with your wrist in his hand. "Then please, let me accompany you to the top of the mountain. It isn't safe with the Fatui lingering around. It's the least I could do."

You eye him hesitantly, but then your shoulders relax and you sigh again. "Okay, okay. We should hurry and get out of here, then."

He wordlessly follows you up the trail, watching your movements carefully. While you don't seem suspicious, he can never be too sure when it comes to the Fatui. Save for the rustling of pine trees and the soft crunch of snow beneath your boots, empty silence fills the air.

It drives him crazy. So crazy that he decides to speak.

"What's your name?"

The name that leaves your lips makes him smile. He can only think that it really does suit you. 

"My name is–"

"Diluc. Diluc Ragnvindr, right?"

Heat creeps up to his cheeks. Of course you know who he is. He's the most famous person in all of Mondstadt, for Archon's sake.

"I've seen you around the city," you quickly explain, awkwardly fumbling over your words. "And at festivals and such."

Before he can dwell too much on it, your seelie chirps— once, twice, three times as it dives into the snow and slowly melts it away. You suddenly halt in your steps, crouching down to sift through the remainder. An exhale of relief leaves you when you dig out a box, intact and frozen to the touch.

He looks on in curiosity. Your hand brushes the snow off the top of the box and you open it, revealing another couple dozen Cecelias.

"Thank goodness..." and your seelie seems to agree, because it dances around your head with a pleased noise.

You're too busy admiring the flowers to realize the snow has kicked up. He's too busy admiring you to notice, either. It isn't until the seelie dips in front of your face with a panicked garble that you finally tear your eyes away from your box of flowers.

"It started to snow..."

Diluc's gaze drifts from you to the darkening sky. It's much too late to make your way down the mountain. In his time in Snezhnaya he learned one very important rule of surviving the cold: you can't outrun snow.

Your seelie leads you to a small cave in a section of rock, covered in starsilver and crystalflies. There isn't any kindling to make a fire, and he isn't willing to brave this type of storm just for some wood.

Diluc shrugs his coat off his shoulders and wraps it around your shoulders in a single motion. Heat envelops you, warmer than the fire seelie that guided you through the mountains. It’s a warmth that fills you from the pit of your stomach all the way to the tips of your fingers.

The seelie floats between you, trying to do its best to keep the both of you in its light.

It's comfortable and quiet for a while— not a peep from either of you as you listen to the howling of wind and snow outside. 

How did Diluc ever end up here?

Bad luck, karma, anything that would explain why he ended up snowed in atop Dragonspine with you— anything at all other than it was in the stars' design that he be with you right here and now. Fate mocks him.

Even worse, there's a voice in his head telling him that this is exactly where he needs to be right now. He's getting a migraine.

Diluc watches you sift through the remaining ashes of the burnt box, trying to see if there's anything you can salvage. Unfortunately, Diluc's Pyro vision was only good for combat and keeping you warm at this moment.

"I'm... really sorry," he says again, looking away sheepishly. He can't bear to look at the disappointment furrowing in your brows.

The sound of a sigh echoes in the cave, and he finally manages to look at you. To his surprise, you're only staring back at him with soft eyes: no contempt, no anger, no disappointment. It makes his heart sink, not only with guilt, but also because there's just something so sweet about you that it makes him want to hold you closer.

"It's okay. At least a majority of them survived. It'll be plenty."

"If you don't mind me asking, what were they for?"

"A bouquet for a wedding. The bride specifically asked for Cecelias, since it was the first bouquet he ever gifted her," there's a fondness on your face that makes him snort. You look at him funny. "What? It's romantic."

"They're just flowers. What's so sentimental about that?"

"They're not just flowers," you frown, scooting a little closer into his side to soak up more of his heat. The fire seelie's light flickers against your face. "Cecelias only grow in extremely windy places. They're illustrious and elegant, even after growing in such harsh conditions. Isn't that just..." you smile at him, slow and warm. "It's beautiful."

Diluc considers your explanation for a moment, tugging his coat around your shoulders tighter. "I suppose so."

"You suppose?" You laugh. "My my, I didn't know Diluc Ragnvindr was so down-to-earth when it comes to romance."

Your laugh is doing terrible things to him. There's something about it that reminds him of the days he spent wandering the Winery as a boy with Kaeya in tow. The nights he would spend catching crystalflies. Times long since passed. He suddenly aches to be back among the grapevines.

"I don't indulge in that sort of thing."

He never could, so long as there was something ugly and bitter and tainted in his heart.

"You've never fallen in love?"

"Not once."

Love like that doesn't exist. Not in a world like this.

He repeats what he believed was true, chants the mantra in his head until he's dizzy as if trying to convince himself that he isn't already lost in you. The warm orange glow of the seelie dances in your eyes, lights up your smile in a way that makes his stomach turn.

I fell in love at first sight. They were words that he couldn't understand until today.

"Is that so?" You muse, slotting your head in the space between his jaw and shoulder. He doesn’t move away. "You're an unusual man, Diluc."

"Maybe I am."

But he knows that the moment he met you, everything was about to change. You don't even dignify him with a glance as you say it:

"Let's fall in love, then."

The demand is simple and he's absolutely positive you're joking. Something in his soul tugs anyway. He swears one thing at that moment: someway, somehow, he'll make it all up to you.

You are, after all, the first person to remind him of home in a long time. Every aspect of you is so comforting and familiar, even if he can't quite place his finger on it yet.

You reach out to pet your seelie, even though you know your hand will phase through it. "You sure did lead me to some strange treasure, hm?"

It trills happily with a little twirl.

Diluc meets you in winter, in the valley between the peaks of Dragonspine. He meets you, and it smells of burnt wood and ash and Cecelias. It's so cold that you can't feel your fingers but you're smiling in the afterglow of a seelie nonetheless, and so is he.

SPRING

He learns that you own the little flower shop at the edge of Mondstadt, just within the front gates of the city.

You're teaching a young girl, Flora, how to nurture them. And he finds it a little endearing, the way you're so gentle not only with Flora but with the flowers you're showing her: daisies and tulips and Windwheel Asters, all of which are in season right now.

Diluc recognizes you when you open back up for spring, surrounded by boxes stuffed with fresh bouquets. You seem to be in a rush getting organized, holding a stack of boxes instead of taking them one by one and clumsily scattering them around so you can go through them.

He stops you by stepping in front of you, two hands on either side of the stack to steady them as you stumble to a halt.

"Diluc?" You peer from around the boxes. He can only see your curious eyes from this angle. He laughs.

"Sorry to interrupt you when you're so busy. Do you need help?"

"Well–" you do a little hop to straighten up the boxes in your arms, "–it would be nice to have an extra set of hands getting everything ready for the Windblume Festival." You contemplate his offer for a brief moment, then ultimately decide against it. "But I would hate to steal you away from your other responsibilities. You're helping with the festival too, right?"

"I owe you one. Think of this as a favour from a friend," he refutes stubbornly.

"I'm sure many would be missing the help of Diluc Ragnvindr," you tease, shifting around so that your body tilts toward him.

It's then that he can finally look at you fully, with a soft orange apron tied around your waist and Windwheel Asters in your hair to match.

One day, you would go on and explain to him that it was sort of like advertising, and that showing off how nice the blooms look as an accessory brought in a lot of business. Right now all it does is render him breathless.

"They can afford to miss me.” He can't help the smile that creeps its way onto his face at the sight of you— he feels silly about it too, like some lovesick little boy.

You hand off the boxes into Diluc's arms. "Can they? I heard you were supplying all of the wine for the festival. That's a tall order," you giggle, bending down to grab another two boxes of flowers.

"It's... manageable," he answers, making a mental note to himself to buy Adelinde dinner some time as a thank you. "What about you? What are all these boxes for?"

"We're holding a flower gifting service in the plaza, on the night of the big party." He looks at you curiously as you continue, "You can send someone you care for a flower or two, or you can send them anonymously if you just wanted to make someone's day!"

"Sounds..."

You smile knowingly. "Romantic?"

Diluc places the boxes down on the ground and pries the lids off, revealing more and more ready-to-bloom flowers. "Yeah. Romantic," he sighs.

"These will all be in full bloom in time for the festival.” You lean down behind him where he's crouched down, until your chin is nearly resting on his shoulder. He's sure his breath hitches so loud that you can hear it.

The following weeks entail complete mayhem. With the end of spring rapidly approaching, excitement buzzes throughout the city. Notably, he overhears many talking about your business and the new flower gifting service.

The Windblume Festival is a special time for Diluc. His father used to take him and Kaeya as children, back when the world was a little happier. On the night of the festival, he stands at the booth contemplating. Unlike a majority of the citizens of Mondstadt, he has not a clue who to give a flower to. Flora frowns.

"Um, mister, are you ever going to write a name down?"

The quill halts just above the piece of paper. "I don't have to sign my name, do I?"

"You can send it as a secret."

Diluc looks up from where he's bent over, observing you from a few feet away. You're conversing with some ladies who are interested in your bouquets. It was a good business idea to do something like this.

He only meant to support your idea as a friend. Now he's conflicted on whether or not he should dare to write your name.

You look absolutely radiant tonight with magical crystal chunks strewn about your hair and a crown of flowers circling your head. He isn't sure he's ever seen someone so beautiful.

He finally decides. When you turn back around to give him your attention, he's gone.

He's sure that will be the end of it, and that after tonight your brief and strange relationship with him will come to an end. But then you come bounding up to him just as he's about to head out.

"Look! A flower!" You exclaim, shoving it into his face. He's pleased that you like the one he picked out for you.

"Yes, I see that. It's nice."

"Nice? Nice?! It's adorable! I've never gotten one before."

He looks at you funny. "Never?"

"Nope," you laugh sheepishly. "I don't really get out much. Too busy running the shop."

He takes the flower from your hands and tucks it just behind your ear, adding it amongst the crown of Asters surrounding you like a halo.

"It suits you.”

"Does it?" You ask him quietly.

His heart beats furiously. How could he ever steel himself when you have such a big smile on your face, adorned with flowers and gemstones?

"Will you dance with me?" The question leaves him before he can stop it. You look at him in wonder, with his fingers brushing the hair from your face. Whatever evil overtakes him in that moment, he'll have to thank later, because without hesitation you're dragging him into the middle of the plaza with glee.

You come to learn that he isn't exactly what you'd call an elegant dancer. He only knows movements that he learned at banquets held by his family— basic steps born from obligation. 

"I thought you'd be better at this," you tease, allowing him to pull you along by the waist.

"I don't dance," he huffs. "I haven't in a long time."

"We should dance together more, then."

Diluc sighs, but there's a tiny smile spreading across his face. "I guess we should."

"This flower... do you know what it represents?" You gesture to the bloom tucked behind your ear. He shakes his head and you continue, "It means everlasting love."

He laughs at the irony.

"I see. How... fetching."

"I wonder who it was," you smile to yourself. He thinks you look breathtaking.

Diluc's lips curl at your joy. He twirls you under his arm once, twice, then pulls you back into his body as he considers your words.

"Yes, I wonder who," he mutters with an amused expression that you just barely miss. And he knows exactly who, but he's not sure if he could handle seeing you melt into a lovestruck puddle at his admission.

Diluc dances with you in spring, under the warm glow of lanterns and the taste of grape juice staining his tongue. He dances with you, and it smells of the Windwheel Asters that crown your head and mint jelly on your breath.

He tugs you a little closer, just because.

SUMMER

If you were to ask Diluc how he felt about these big "charity" events, he would scoff in your face and lecture you about how they were nothing more than money traps set up by the Knights of Favonius.

He would say it purely out of spite, of course, mostly because he knows Jean is too kindhearted to allow for such shady business. Openly, at least.

His distaste for the Knights and all they stand for are not hidden deep in his heart. He sneers when there's a casualty— mocks their inefficiency at any given opportunity.

You never knew him to be such a bitter man when it came to the Knights. Diluc was good at keeping up his polite and indifferent charade to their practices.

It wasn't until the beginning of summer when you realized his loathing. It was their own incompetence that led a horde of slimes directly into the city, nearly smashing your little shop to bits.

You've never seen him so furious.

Outwardly, he was simply curt with them. He had only a few choice words lined up when they apologized with their heads hung low, watching them with his arms crossed over his chest.

Inwardly, you could see the anger swimming in his eyes.

That was three weeks ago. It leaves a bitter taste in his mouth to think that just three weeks ago, they were leading danger straight into your shop and now here they are, asking you to donate to their cause.

"You're sulking," you tell him from across the table. He immediately sits up straight, jaw relaxing.

"I have no idea what you're talking about."

"You know," you smile at him, moving one of your pawns forward, "I think the Knights are happy you're here. Relieved, at the very least, that you don't seem mad at them anymore."

He only frowns whilst knocking your pawn over with a bishop. "I wasn't mad at them."

"You were. Even I could tell."

"They almost got you hurt."

"Almost," you remind him with a small huff. "They were just slimes! No harm no foul."

You make a fatal move, but he doesn't even gloat because he's too busy cursing out the Knights in his head.

"I just find it in poor taste that they would ask for your hard-earned Mora after endangering you like that." He shrugs you off nonchalantly, as if you can't see the fire blazing in his eyes at the mere thought of it. 

You blink at the chessboard as he checkmates you, slumping back in your seat with a tiny pout. "Once again, you've bested me."

"It seems I have," he says, lips finally twitching up into a small smile.

"Don't you ever get tired of beating me at this game? I sure do."

"That's a shame. Same time tomorrow?"

He watches with a laugh as you grumble in irritation. You can't help but notice how quiet it is, even over the chatter of the people in the plaza. There's something off about him today.

It's clear that he doesn't want to be here, volunteering his time to the Knights for a cause he has no faith in. It was a favour for Jean, he told you, to which you mused that he owed a lot of friends favours.

To be a noble in Mondstadt, and especially the wealthiest, Diluc is obligated to attend all sorts of gatherings he detests. You can see it written all over his face.

"Hey," you call out to him softly, leaning over the table. Your voice is a hush as you tell him: "Let's get out of here."

He glances around. "I'm expected to be here, you know?” He laughs once more, though he seems to be considering your offer. He decides to indulge you. "Where would you like to go?"

You think for a moment, brows furrowed. He watches the minute twitch of your lips, the creases of your smile; everything about you is so alive and beautiful.

Then, you point. You point high, with a breathless giggle. 

"There," you say, gesturing toward the giant statue of Barbatos, "let's go up there."

He almost flat out rejects you, wanting to scold you about how dangerous it would be and that, for someone without a vision, you sure do have the gall to even suggest it.

But then he sees the excitement twinkling in your eyes, which are already scrunched up from how big your smile is. How could he refuse?

Diluc ends up trailing behind you, inconspicuously hugging his coat close to his body. You don't realize why until you're standing at the feet of the statue.

You gasp at the bottle of wine tucked into his coat. "Did you steal that?"

"The Winery provided all of this. I would hardly consider it stealing," he chuckles.

You nudge him with your elbow, a grin on your face as you accept the bottle into your hands. "I didn't know you were so sly, Diluc."

"I used to do this all the time when I was a kid."

"Steal wine bottles?" You look at him with wide eyes and an impressed smile.

"The maids forbade me from drinking at the Winery's banquets. Try telling a thirteen year old boy not to do something, see what happens," he huffs in amusement.

"You don't even like wine," you remind him. Diluc only hums in response, grabbing it and stuffing it back into his coat as he takes his first leap up the stone.

"Consider it a gift.” He twists around so he can look down at you where you stand, watching him with a mixture of fascination and horror.

His hand extends to yours. For as many times in this life as he is willing to offer it, you would take it.

He helps haul you up to the very top, barely breaking a sweat as he watches you climb beside him. After all, he withstood countless adversaries in his time in Snezhnaya: climbed mountains as tall as the sky with nothing but his claymore. 

When you ask how he's so calm about this, he only tells you that he used to climb to the roof of the manor when he was a boy.

He had a lot of secrets kept caged up in his body, you realized many months ago. Diluc was never too vocal about his time before he returned to Mondstadt.

You do remember, however, that at the banquet they threw for him to celebrate his return home, he seemed cold and indifferent to the warm welcome. In fact, it was like his mind was entirely elsewhere. You can picture the day well— it was the largest order of flowers you'd ever received after all.

You're glad he's settled back into Mondstadt, at least. You just never thought you'd have a chance to actually meet him.

He watches as you nervously teeter over to the edge of the statue, peering down with a nervous gulp. You relax when his hands steady you, gently guiding you to sit down in a more safe position.

"I've never been so high up off the ground!" You cry out toward the city, feet dangling over the edge of the Archon's hands.

"It's nice, isn't it? Much different than the kind of heights you feel on Dragonspine."

You take in a long breath of fresh air, as if savouring the wind at this height. "It's pretty.” You finally conclude. There's a dreamy sigh on your lips that makes him laugh.

He uncorks the bottle he lugged up with him, passing it over to you. Instead of taking it, your head tilts back and he takes the opportunity to pour the wine past your lips himself.

Silence festers between you two as he pours the sweet alcohol into your mouth, all rational thought being carried away by the wind.

He isn't sure how long you stay that way: shoulders touching, hair blowing, and feet dangling in the air. For someone who wanted to climb the statue to see the city, you sure are being shameless in your staring directly at him.

You're looking at him in a way that makes him melt— eyes so laser focused and crinkling with your smile. You look at him like he's the only person in the world. Right now, he might really be that important. His heart swells in his chest.

"What is it?" Speak your mind. Let me hear all your crazy thoughts.

"You came all the way up here with me. You came up here. With me."

You emphasize your point by extending your arms out to your sides, feeling the breeze wash over you.

He knows what’s coming next. You love clichés. And he doesn't stop you, for some reason, when you open your mouth again just as he predicted.

"I think I'm falling for you."

"I would hope not. We're pretty high up in the air."

You swat his arm with a huff, face turning a little more serious. "I mean it!"

Diluc grows quiet, looking out toward the city. His home. The place he grew up, and the place he'll spend the rest of his days. The distant sound of people chattering, water flowing from the fountain, music playing: all sounds he's grown so familiar with and yet—

"I love you."

—he never thought it could be so beautiful until he climbed up here with you.

"You love a lot of things," he muses.

"Like what?"

He looks at you softly. "Like Cecelias. Mondstadt hashbrowns for breakfast. And you say you hate the cold but I know you love it up in Dragonspine— think it looks so pretty with all the snow."

You nod, mulling over his statement before asking: "What else?"

"I know you love that orange apron; Flora's mother sewed it for you herself, didn't she? And you love Anemo slimes, think they're the cutest thing in the world even though I've seen them explode in your face multiple times before."

You're listening to him intently, watching his lips as he lists off all the things he knows about you. And he's been going for so long that you have to wonder if you've really only known him for eight months.

"You love Starfell Lake and making wishes while you blow away Dandelion seeds. You love fire seelies and tea imported from Liyue and going to charity events like this even though you don't owe the Knights any of your time."

Another silence settles between you.

"So I'm a romantic. Even then, you still won't accept that I love you?" You ask him quietly.

He hesitates only for a moment, but you still catch it. "I won't."

"What is it with you and your cynicism about romance?"

"It's not like I don't believe love exists—" He’s looking at you right now, after all: living, breathing proof that Diluc could love something. "—I just... it's not for me."

"Not for you?" You repeat back to him in disbelief. "Love is beautiful, you know. You don't even want to give it a chance?"

You're looking at him earnestly, both hands pressed against the stone of the statue beneath you as you twist to stare him down.

"It's complicated," he murmurs, tearing his eyes away from yours. In his peripherals, he can still see you facing him. He doesn't dare look at you again for the sake of his own resolve.

Love was always a messy emotion for Diluc. To love was to trust completely, to be vulnerable and open. But he's been betrayed one too many times for his heart not to ache at the idea of falling in love so willingly.

It terrifies him— to have someone holding his heart in their hands with the chance that they could crush it into dust with the snap of their fingers.

Diluc was alone for many years in the northern region of Snezhnaya. He's good at being lonely. It's a part of the air he breathes, something engraved deep into his bones, terrible and grim and consuming his flesh until he's nothing.

He hadn't even realized he had grown accustomed to it. Not until he met you. Not until you stole his heart at first sight. Not until you made him understand all those times his father would speak of his mother once she was gone. It was always easier to be alone until he met you, and suddenly you came along and flipped the whole world onto its head.

Now Diluc can't be alone— he was losing the ability to sit in solitary silence without his thoughts screaming in his ears. He was constantly thinking about you. And it was always distracting things, like wondering when he would see your smile next, or when you would ever dance with him again.

Your head falls against his shoulder, hair tickling under his chin as you rest there. As if it were a remnant of eons past, his lips find the crown of your head reflexively. And you don't pull away by any means, allowing him to be affectionate the only way he can and accepting him as he comes.

The words don't need to be said anymore. He already knows. It's a story rewritten a million times over, buried somewhere deep in his soul.

He decides that maybe, just once in this life, it would be okay to take the risk. If it was you, he would be alright.

His arm comes around your waist protectively, pulling you closer into his body as if you'd disappear with the wind if he let go. He holds you there quietly, listening to your soft murmurs.

Diluc Ragnvindr deserves to be loved, is what you're telling him.

And despite the scars littering his body and the chains wrapped around his heart, he allows himself to believe it.

Diluc loves you in the summer, in the hands of the Anemo Archon. He loves you, and it smells of Dandelion Wine and the lingering scent of sweet flowers in your hair and all the things that make him dream of you.

For the first time since he returned to Mondstadt, he doesn't feel alone.

AUTUMN

It's the anniversary.

Diluc remembers the day too well— the smell of blood and flesh and how cold a corpse is. Sometimes it's all he can think about.

He cried when his father passed, as all boys would. Then, a fire replaced the hollow sadness in his heart, something fierce and dangerous and unhinged.

Fierce and dangerous and unhinged. Descriptors that he would consider second nature to him behind closed doors of the Tavern and hidden in the grapevines of the Winery. No one would ever know the real Diluc Ragnvindr, hellbent on vengeance since he was only a boy crying at his father's grave.

It wasn't until you came along that he felt something new blooming within him— something like beautiful flowers and a heartbeat slow and steady as waves on the shore, a yearning so powerful that it displaced the ugly bitterness in his heart.

Nowadays, Diluc felt like a confusing mixture of both light and darkness— treading the thin line that separated him from living in the moment with you, and seeking revenge for the past.

He doesn't realize the conflict within him has been bubbling into a raging fire, tearing him in half from the inside out, until today.

He talked to you about his father once, over a plate of sugar-frosted slime and Liyue imported jasmine tea. It was a day like any other, with you seated across from him having an afternoon snack.

My father liked sugar-frosted slime, he told you. It was the first time he'd ever let it be known that Crepus was on his mind, ever so present. A ghost haunting him. You didn't think much of it. Diluc seemed perfectly content living through his memories.

It was coincidence that brought you here on the exact day the world lost Crepus. Or, perhaps, the nagging voice in the back of your mind telling you to get out of bed and come here.

Your son is a wonderful man, is what you first whispered to the grave. And then you couldn't stop the words from pouring out of you, rambling on and on about how he raised a good boy, and how Diluc had taken your heart the moment you laid eyes on him.

He finds you sitting there in the rain with a sad excuse for an umbrella popped up above your head. His father's grave is adorned with flowers of all kinds— a respect that no one had ever paid him before.

You don't realize how much you move him with such a simple act. He had long since lost faith both in the Knights and the citizens that once looked up to his father so much; after all, it was only he and Kaeya who ever came around to visit.

It's not until he crumbles to his knees beside you that you even notice his tears, your smile fading as he looks at you in confusion.

You're not sure you've ever seen Diluc cry before.

"What are you doing here?" He asks, head tilting into your palm when you reach forward to wipe his tears with your thumb.

"Saying hello," you respond as if it's the obvious answer.

"You... huh?"

"It would be rude to fall in love with you without at least introducing myself first."

"You didn't have to do—" Diluc gestures to the grave, "—all this."

You smile. "I wanted to.” And the truth is as simple as that.

You were too good for this world. Something beautiful in a place where only ugliness lives. He almost hates how much hope you give him.

The world was always black and white for Diluc. Recently, he's been finding it hard to distinguish the two. 

There was right and there was wrong and there you were teetering between them, balancing hope and despair. It scared him to think of all the ways he could lose you, how he could one day end up bringing flowers to a grave with your name on it just as you did for his father.

What's the point of love if all it ends with is hurt?

He's sniffling, trying to chew on his bottom lip to distract himself from the ache in his chest. You notice his sudden quietness, turning to look at him.

"Hey.” Your voice is soft, as if he would shatter if you even spoke to him wrong right now. He might. "It's just me. It's okay."

"I don't cry. I hate crying," he admits through his tears.

He can't remember when he had cried last. Was it the day he came home? Or was it longer, like during those lonely nights spent hiding away in the mountains? The only vivid memory he has with tears staining his cheeks was the day his father died.

"You don't have to be ashamed of crying," you tell him, using your thumbs to wipe his lashes. "There's nothing wrong with that."

"I'm Diluc Ragnvindr. I'm not supposed to cry."

"You're Diluc Ragnvindr," you repeat back slowly, pulling his head toward you and cradling it against your shoulder. "You're human. What's wrong with that?"

Diluc doesn't feel human. He hasn't felt human in a long time. He's been something more like a ghost wandering around the places he used to love. Memories tainted by hatred and grief, it was as if he would never find beauty in this world again.

"I'm not," he breathes. "I'm not anything."

You pry him off of you. He blinks at you through his tears.

"Do you really believe that?"

He goes quiet, only staring at you as he soaks in your earnest eyes.

"I don't know what I am. I don't know what to do in this world anymore."

He's a mess of emotions— he almost wishes he were back in Snezhnaya where everything made sense. Where his entire existence was built up of seeking retribution. To a time when he knew where he belonged.

Diluc Ragnvindr only ever knew revenge. Only ever knew how to inflict pain. Only ever knew how to break kneecaps and hide in shadows and keep his lonely body warm with his Pyro vision.

He doesn't know love. He doesn't know how to do it without fighting the fire burning in his stomach when he grieves—

"You're just Diluc. Do you ever need to be anything more than that?"

—or maybe he hasn't given it the chance it deserves. The chance he deserves.

He realizes then, what love must be. What kept him up at night, the feeling raging in his chest:

There was no corner of Teyvat he could ever call home without you anymore. He belonged here, with you.

And accompanied with this realization is something that he hasn't felt in many years. Peace. A stillness in his body and the calm in his mind which was usually racing with contemplation— something he never thought he would feel again.

And it's because of you. Only you. It would only ever be because of your love.

"Would you accept me as I am?"

You smile. "I always have."

"You don't know who I am. The things I've done."

"Are they that bad?"

"Awful."

You hum in thought, thumb mindlessly brushing his cheek back and forth. "We have all the time in the world for you to explain," you add with another soft smile, "I believe you have your reasons. I believe in you."

He laughs, exhales shaky. "You're insane."

"Am I? But I think you're falling for me anyways."

So what if he is? He can't find a single reason wrong with it anymore.

The rain has started to let up, the world around him lighting up with warm sun. And you look so radiant like this, surrounded by the fog brought in by the storm and shining in sweet sunlight.

"Do you think we have your father’s approval?"

He doesn't have to answer that. Not when you're already leaning in closer to him.

The diminishing pitter-patter of rain against your shabby umbrella fills his ears. You're so close that he swears he can hear your heart thundering in your chest. 

Diluc has always been brave; he was a terrible troublemaker of a child that grew into a body too big for a boy— some part of him that he kept locked away for the sake of living his life as his father would have wanted. If he wanted to lead an empire of a business, he would need to grow up eventually.

He's always been brave, but he was still too much of a coward to stop using his father as a way out. Because he knows Crepus would have wanted Diluc to find happiness, not vengeance.

It's about time he stopped being afraid.

"I think he wants me to tell you something."

"And what's that?" You smile.

"That in this life—" he breathes, "—in this and the next and the one after until the stars of Teyvat run out, I will love you."

You snicker. He can feel it rumbling in his own chest. "How romantic," you tease with his breath in your lungs.

He shuts you up with his mouth.

Diluc kisses you in autumn, with the golden leaves of change. Diluc kisses you warm and sweet and long. He can't remember what was filling his senses at that moment. Your bodies were too close for him to care.

WINTER

Winter was always a bothersome season.

Even in his days away from Mondstadt, in all the time he spent roaming the north, he never quite grew accustomed to the freezing temperatures and harsh weather.

When Diluc left for Snezhnaya, he left his childhood behind, too. He abandoned who he was on the doorstep of his manor, put all his funds into the hands of Adelinde with no intent of returning, and left in the middle of the night without a word.

Half of him expected to die. The other half expected to not return by choice.

For the first few months he spent adjusting to the northern climate, he tucked himself away in a hidden cavern away from the Capital where the Tsaritsa resided. He was in no condition to battle, let alone challenge a god.

He spent many days stealthily hunting down lower ranking Fatui— people that no one would miss. At eighteen years old he had enough blood on his hands to guarantee Celestia's smiting. Blood that, as he learned, does not wash off.

He had to teach himself how to travel through thick snow. Through blizzards and hail and subzero temperatures nothing alike to those felt on Dragonspine.

And when he finally returned home, battle worn and hardened and cold, he couldn't stand the snow. Every crunch under his boots reminded him of the times he had to lug around his greatsword through treacherous enemy lines. Even the sound put him on edge for incoming attacks.

It wasn't like he was ever particularly fond of the cold but for a long time, as a boy, he would simply tolerate it. He had his Pyro vision, after all, and it never truly caused him any harm.

When Kaeya received his Cryo vision, things took a turn.

The cold represented nothing but death for Diluc. It was pain and grief and sorrow— loss in magnitudes indescribable to anyone else. It was bloodshed, the terrible stench of flesh, metal on metal. It was homesickness.

There was nothing poetic or beautiful about it. It only reminded him of all the things he had lost.

He would roll his eyes when Venti sang about the first snowfall of the season. His Pyro vision would glow until the ice melted around him. It's impractical, he told you when you first met and he was guiding you back down the mountain. It doesn't do any good except make you slip and fall.

Diluc remembers quite vividly how you snorted at that. And, like always, you went on to say things that would make his head spin. Find beauty in life even where you think it doesn't exist.

He didn't heed your advice all too much, instead grumbling about how his claymore was getting heavy and that he wanted to get back to the Winery as soon as possible.

But then he found that it was hard to ignore your words. Especially when you were showing him exactly how to do it— popping frozen grapes into his mouth that were somehow a little sweeter; mixing him hot cocoa the way your mother taught you; throwing snowballs at him from behind trees and thinking you've won until he nails you straight in the face in retaliation.

Winter always brought a smile to your face. And how could he not smile when you are?

The best part of it all was that the cold made you cling to him a little closer. A little tighter. So close that he swears he can hear your heart beating in his own ears, savouring his warmth unlike anyone he'd ever met before.

"My personal fire seelie," you joked once. He pinched your cheek until you slapped his hand away and buried your face back into his chest.

Diluc is pretty certain that he hasn't been this happy in a long time. Not since before his father passed, at least. Even with the nervous sigh that leaves him, you're urging him forward.

"I can't believe you never learned how to skate!"

"It's... not something noble families would have approved of."

"But you have this whole lake in your backyard!" You gawk. He only stifles a laugh, stumbling clumsily into your arms. You catch him as if you'd done it a thousand times before.

"Show me how it's done."

"It's like dancing," you say with an encouraging grin, pulling him along with you slowly. You're half right. Some aspects of it do remind him of a warm spring night, with music playing and your laughter in his ears. On the other hand, he can't seem to keep his skates straight.

"The ice won't fall through, right?" He murmurs anxiously, nodding at the Pyro vision hung on his belt.

"If it does, I'll save you!"

"I don't think you'd be able to carry me up from the water," he deadpans.

"I'd save you," you insist.

"Really?"

"Yes, really! For as many times as you need me to save you, I will."

And you did save him. Though, that statement is better left unspoken for the sake of the heat rising to his cheeks. Instead, he leans in to press a kiss to your forehead.

"I love you," he whispers into your skin.

Find beauty in life. Another set of words he never thought he would understand. But he's staring at beauty right in its face and it smells like Cecelias. Dances like a shooting star. Loves unconditionally.

Diluc always loathed winter, until you redefined it into a thing he missed dearly—

Home.

© ALABOADOA 2023 — please do not translate or post my works to other platforms.

crossposted to ao3!

🏷️ @rintosei hi babe its up <3

(Sfw) How you spend time with each other in the winter

Characters: Aether, Ayato, Childe, Diluc, Xiao x GN!Reader

Warnings: Ayato is strong enough to catch you (canon tbh), Childe and you kiss but it doesn't get steamy, Xiao is strong enough to carry you (extremely canon tbh)

Notes: For aether's part, let's pretend that you can make it snow in a teapot 🫣 , милая means "darling"

WC: 1.8k words total

"Here you go love," Aether says, handing you a cup of hot cocoa. You smile at him and make room on the couch for him, opening up the giant fuzzy blanket for him to get under.

Aether had done a lot of commissions in the past week, leaving you two unable to spend a lot of time together. It made for some lonely nights, with you having to entertain yourself in the teapot. Today was different-- he had cleared all commissions early and let Jean know that any requests for him were to either be redirected to someone else or have to wait until another day. Today was focused on you, his lover. And he intended to keep it that way.

Once he got comfortable, you adjust so you can lean on him, resting your head on his shoulder. He gives you a kiss on your forehead and rubs your side, causing you to melt as you feel his calloused hands through your shirt. The fireplace was ablaze, warming the entire room up as you watch the snow fall outside.

"I missed this," you sigh, closing your eyes. He nods, taking a sip of his own mug.

"I did too."

In preparation for Christmas, you took it upon yourself as the Lady of the Estate to hang up decorations. Ayato and many of the other servants insisted it wasn't necessary, but you refused to sit by.

"I've decorated my house for years with my family. This will be no different," you explained a few days ago. He wanted to push back, but he figured that there was no harm. Besides, he couldn't deny that seeing the childlike wonder in your eyes from gathering Christmas decorations made him happy for you. This brings you to where you are today.

You were currently decorating the hallways of the estate with wreaths and garlands. Servants would come in throughout the process to drop off more decorations for you to use, or to offer snacks for both you and Ayato. With you on the ladder, everyone was slightly on edge about you falling down. With Ayato there to catch you though, they said nothing.

"Babe, can you pass me a wreath?" He looks up at you and nods, reaching down to grab a wreath from a crate and hand it to you. You thank him and shuffle around on the ladder step to hang it on the pillar, connecting it to some garland. You lean back a bit to admire your work, glancing down the hallway. It's nice to see it all come to fruition slowly. At this rate, it'd be decorated right before Christmas and before families would come over.

As you move to get down, you misstep, tripping on your own feet and falling off. You yelp in surprise and attempt to grab a ladder step, but your fingers just barely brush against it before you're out of reach. Ayato doesn't miss a beat and immediately rushes forward to catch you, gathering you in his arms. You immediately cling to his body, breathing heavily as the quick adrenaline rush you got from falling runs through your body.

Ayato shakes his head and carefully sets you down on the ground, making sure you're able to stand steadily.

"Why don't we take a break?" He suggests, carefully dusting off your clothes. You nod in agreement-- now was a good time for a break.

You and Childe decided to throw a holiday party back at his family house in Sneznyha. Many of the younger kids were running around, laughing, and sneaking cookies off of various trays. The adults were milling around, catching up, and enjoying the drinks all the while gossiping with each other. The energy was high and everyone was having a good time.

You take out the Coulibiac pie you were baking-- Childe's mother had given you the recipe and you wanted to attempt to make it. The smell of spices and baked meat floods the kitchen. It was enough to drag Childe away from wherever he was.

"It smells good, милая (darling)," he comments. You jump a bit in surprise, not expecting to hear anyone, but immediately relax as you feel his warm arms wrap around your waist. You can tell he's already had a bit to drink-- alcohol clings to his clothes like cologne. You wiggle out of his hold, earning a quiet whine.

"I'm glad you think so, but it's hot. I don't want to drop it or burn myself," you gently chide him, walking over to set down the pie on a cooling rack.

"But I miss you," he continues to whine. "You've been cooped up in here all night while the rest of us are out there."

You roll your eyes and flash him a cheeky grin, taking off your apron and setting it aside. You check your reflection in a nearby kitchen, making sure you still looked presentable as you dusted off any food that may have gotten on you.

"Alright, I'll get out there then," you decide, and he cheers, walking up to take your hand. You smile and cross the doorway to enter the living room. However, you don't get far before you feel a tug on your arm and you're pulled slightly back. Confused, you look at Childe.

"What's wrong, baby?" He points up, and you follow your gaze. There was mistletoe hanging over the doorway arch. Your cheeks warm up and you sputter, trying to get words out. Childe's grin widens as he gets closer and gently cups your face between his hands.

"Cat got your tongue, милая?"

You don't get a moment to respond as he leans down and brushes his lips against yours. Instincts take over and you're wrapping your arms around his neck.

When you told Diluc you wanted to bake, he was more than happy to encourage you to do so. Adelinde was surprised but was willing to take a break and have you work on Christmas desserts. You invited Diluc to join you and he agreed, assuming that the process would be calm and straightforward-- your confidence had him believe you had done this enough times to be neat.

He was quickly proven wrong when he stopped to take a look around the kitchen after you both had been baking for the past two hours. The dough was spilled on the counters, the icing was everywhere, and raw eggs and milk were spilled on the counters and in the sinks. It was truly a nightmare.

"You know, when you said you wanted to bake, I assumed that it would be a neater process," he confessed, turning to you. You look up from the cookies you were haphazardly decorating, smearing red icing on what Diluc can only assume was supposed to be a stocking.

"I never said I was the best baker, darling. I said I love baking," you explain. He sighs, nodding.

"I suppose that's right. Adelinde will kill us both and never let us back in the kitchen after this, I'm afraid.'

You giggle, shrugging your shoulders.

"That's alright. I wanted to just do this once, for Christmas. And I'm glad I got to do it with you."

Diluc's chest swells and his face reddens, matching his firey locks. You laugh at this and wave him over, holding up a cookie for him to try.

"C'mon, let's eat some of these before Adelinde gets on our cases."

Xiao didn't often go out and about the city-- he kept to himself mostly. He only appeared to those who called out his name, or when he was at Wangshu Inn to get some almond tofu and recuperate. So when you asked him to take a wall through Liyue Harbor, he hesitated.

"I don't want to cause a commotion for you. I'm an Adeptus, Y/N," he explains. You shrug and turn to grab your winter coat.

"Many of the people of Liyue remember when you and the other Adepti helped save the country from Osial. I can't blame them for getting excited at the prospect of seeing you in person," you counter. As you adjust your coat you look over at Xiao who gives you a pensive look. "If you don't want to come that's fine. I just wanted to ask because I thought it'd be fun!"

He stands there for a bit, watching you finish getting dressed. Just as you grab the door handle to open, he grabs your hand. Surprised, you look back at him, raising an eyebrow.

"Yes?" He's quiet, almost hesitating to speak.

"I'll come with," he decides. It's quiet for a bit, but slowly a smile breaks out across your face. You open the door and tug him out of your house, laughing.

"Then let's go!"

The day is spent walking around the harbor, talking to various shop owners, and trying out the hot and fresh street food various merchants were selling. You offer Xiao to try a steamed meat bun. He denies the offer at first but at your insistence, he takes a bite. The way his eyes light up as he eats was something you'll never forget. He had gotten excited and ended up devouring half of the bun before realizing you and the merchant were staring at him in amusement. He's quick to compose himself and shove the other half of the bun in your hands.

Xiao was hounded a bit, what with people recognizing him as one of the saviors of the harbor, but it didn't lessen your fun going out and about. It was fun to see him get embarrassed by all the well-deserved praise. By the end of your journey around the harbor, you had gotten tired and passed out on a bench while waiting for Xiao to finish talking with some kids. Noticing your slumped-over figure on the bench, he scoops you up into his arms and begins his journey back to your house. He easily could've teleported back, but he found that he enjoyed holding you like this.

"I want to enjoy this feeling a little longer."

The length of the sections does not indicate favoritism-- it's just how I ended up writing the scenarios.

If you want me to do other characters, you can ask ❤️

Requests are open~!