Maybe Not Always - Diluc
Author's Notes: This is such an old fic. This is quite literally one of the first Genshin fics I wrote. It's just been sitting, gathering dust in my to-post document since then. I'd almost forgotten it existed until I stumbled across it today. I do, however, remember doing research for this fic. Due to it's age, I have absolutely no clue about what I might have been listening to when I wrote this, if I was listening to anything at all. Anyway, reader is gender-neutral, as per usual, in this pic. I hope you enjoy!
Type: Fluff/platonic or romantic (whichever you prefer)/implied angst (kind of halfway, don't worry it's not bad)
Word count: 1879
Warnings: Injury/tourniquet
I huffed, stumbling forward slightly under the weight of the man I currently supported. As if in response, Diluc sighed as he pushed away from me to lean against a wall and rest, “You need to get home. I can make it the rest of the way on my own.”
I shook my head, straightening to better look him in the eye, “You won’t be making it anywhere very fast at all with your leg like that.” I gestured to his bloodied leg pointedly and he glanced down at it with a grimace.
I didn’t know exactly what had happened, only that the Abyss Order had been involved. The fact that he’d gotten hurt was alarming enough as it was, but the fact he’d been completely oblivious to my presence until I’d run over was even more so.
“How did they hurt you? You’ve never gotten hurt in the past,” Worry crept into my voice as I looked at his injured leg and he raised his head to look at me.
He frowned at my concern before shaking his head, “I just hadn’t expected that many. It looks far worse than it actually is.”
I all but scowled at him from where I now leaned against the wall opposite him. It was frustrating how hard he tried to keep people from helping him.
A part of me understood. Diluc did some dangerous things as the ‘Darknight Hero,’ but he couldn’t keep this up. He was going to have to hide his injury and do his work with no one noticing.
After all, an injury like that was bound to be questioned by numerous individuals. Especially since when he’d last been in the city as ‘Diluc’ he hadn’t been injured.
I rolled my shoulders as I pushed myself off the wall before extending a beckoning arm, “Come on, Angel’s Share isn’t far now. I should be able to help you get sort of patched up there.”
Diluc frowned, but didn’t object as he hobbled over to where I offered support. He did stubbornly hold up more of his weight than he should be trying to though.
I almost sighed at his efforts to keep from burdening me, but didn’t say anything. It was a miracle he was letting me help this much anyway. He’d tried to turn me away when I’d found him earlier.
I’d been on my way home from closing up the shop when I’d found him kneeling on the ground, hands pressed to his bloody thigh that had a make-shift knife sticking out of it.
I hadn’t asked for specifics, instead rushing over to help him. I’d been met with thanks and reassurances that he could handle it on his own. To his obvious displeasure I’d refused and assisted him to the best of my ability.
Perhaps the worst part of this trek through the streets was getting him to Angel’s Share without being seen. We had to take back alleys in order to avoid the patrolling Knight’s of Favonius who he refused to ask for assistance.
His argument was that they’d connect the dots or that Kaeya would out him to the rest of the knights. In reality, I think he just really did not want help, much less theirs. After all, he’d already tried to send me home three times.
He stumbled and let out a hissing sound, causing me to look over at him with unconcealed worry. His red eyes met mine, holding my gaze for just a few brief seconds before they darted away as if nothing was wrong, “It’s fine.”
I suppressed the now familiar need to sigh and instead looked forwards. The path that led towards Angel’s Share was welcoming as my eyes found the very building we’d been headed towards, “Look, we’re almost there.”
I watched through my peripheral, hardly able to keep the smile off my face as he looked forward and a relieved smile appeared on his face.
I carefully led him over to one of the tall stone walls that encircled Mondstadt and let him prop himself up. Soon I was listening to his calm directions that led me to the hidden key for the back door.
“Okay, come on,” I looped his arm over my shoulder and maneuvered him into the darkened room. Pushing the door shut with my foot as he released me to instead support himself against the wall as he eased himself onto a stool.
I flicked on the light before looking down at him, “Where are the bandages?”
His eyes slowly shifted up to meet mine before he glanced off to the side and pointed, “Top shelf, over there.”
My eyes followed his pointed finger and I fought back a grimace as I beheld an impressively sized cabinet.
Stool it was then.
As soon as I could reach it I nabbed the box marked with the red cross on it and walked over to where he sat. Ignoring the way his eyes followed my every movement, but never betrayed his thoughts.
“I’m going to have to pull the knife out, so this is gonna hurt.” My eyes flicked up to meet his as I braced myself, “As soon as it’s out I’ll have to apply pressure which will hurt even more. Ready?”
He inhaled slightly but nodded, his eyes not leaving mine until I broke eye contact by looking down.
I would have far preferred to leave the knife in to block bleeding and get Barbara’s help but he’d already shot that idea down. Twice.
I was surprised by how quickly it all happened once I got started though.
One second the knife was in his leg with me gripping the hilt and then the next it was out, laying on the floor where I’d dropped it. I applied pressure to the wound that blood was now flowing freely out of, gritting my teeth as I did everything I could to slow the gushing.
He let out a pained grunt and my eyes flicked up to his face before zipping back down to his leg. I hurriedly grabbed cloth from the box and started stuffing the wound while also trying to keep pressure on it.
I grimaced in sympathy as I quickly finished my work. Applying a tourniquet so we could get him home where more skilled hands, like Adelinde’s, could handle the rest.
“Are you…?” I stopped myself before I finished the question.
He was not alright. He was in incredible pain and had somehow kept himself from screaming bloody murder through all that.
He inhaled harshly but nodded, somehow still feigning calm, “Thank you…” I almost grimaced again at his pained sounding words that gave away exactly how much that had hurt.
“Do you need to rest, or-”
I was cut off with a firm shake of the head, his red eyes now gleaming with determination as he at last succeeded in drawing a sigh out of me.
I should’ve known he wouldn’t rest. Diluc was one of the people who would keep pushing himself to the very moment he shattered into a million pieces.
That was why I stayed with him no matter how many times he tried to distance himself. At the very least I could work at keeping all of the tiny pieces in place and prevent him breaking.
“Come on then. We need to get you home anyway.” I glanced down, looking at my hasty work with a frown, “That won’t be enough, but it’ll last for the trip. Adelaide should be able to handle the rest.”
He nodded in stiff agreement, but I was already puzzling about how to get him back to his manor. Limping there wasn’t an option, we’d never make it before dawn and he definitely needed rest.
“Do you have a wagon or something we can use?” His eyes met mine with a unique exhaustion and that was answer enough.
“I’ll ask the knights-”
“No.” His answer was swift, but hardly well thought out.
I stood, crossing my arms and glaring down at him, “We have to get you home and you said Kaeya already knew about your ‘secret identity.’ We might as well ask the knights for help so that you won’t get an infection and will actually be able to walk in the future.”
He almost scowled at me but I let out a huff, more annoyed than impressed by his irritation.
“I know you don’t like the knights, but you’re just going to have to deal.” I turned, getting ready to head out into the street and flag down a patrolling knight only to get stopped by Diluc’s attempt to stand that had me turning and sitting him back down.
One of his hands grasped my arm, holding me in place with ease as he firmly held my gaze, “Fine. But… But make sure you get Kaeya…. Anyone else might-”
I nodded, wishing that I could find it in me to be soothing, but finding it difficult to actually do so as I responded. “Yes, yes I know. Anyone else might figure out your secret. Don’t worry, I’ll make sure they get Kaeya.”
He nodded at my reassurance, noticeably relaxing and at last allowing me to slip outside and onto the street so that I could glance around.
I spotted one of the armored men in the distance and raised my arm, “Sir!”
He whirled like he’d been shot as soon as I shouted but came trotting over immediately, “Yes, what do you need Ma’am?”
I almost grinned as I recognized the man. Miles. He would be perfect for the job.
“Miles, can you go get Kaeya? He is needed at Angel’s Share.” I watched the determined look leave the man’s eyes as he sighed.
“I see, a bill to be settled. Very well, he will be here shortly.” I watched as he turned and trotted off, letting out a sigh of relief as he disappeared.
Saved by Kaeya’s alcohol habits and bad reputation. Who would have thought?
I went back into the tavern and Diluc immediately looked up as I entered. “Miles is getting Kaeya now. He assumed that our beloved cavalry captain had a bill to settle. Your secret is safe.”
Diluc managed an amused grin and nodded at me, “Good.” He fell silent, looking off towards the door, faking patience as we waited for the knight to come.
He shifted on his stool, wincing with motion but looking back towards me, “Again, thank you. This could have been much worse if you hadn’t found me.”
I nodded, a grin making its way onto my face, “Not a problem, can’t have Mondstadt’s one and only Darknight Hero out of commission, now can we? If nothing else Donna would be crushed.”
She wouldn’t be the only one, but I kept that thought to myself. No need to guilt trip the poor man when he was taking the time to thank me for my assistance.
Diluc’s frown was almost immediate and I snickered as he deadpanned, “Don’t call me that.”
I smiled at him warmly, despite what a pain he’d been, I was been relieved that Diluc was okay, “I guess the Darknight Hero doesn’t always work alone?”
I was met with a wry grin, “Maybe not always.”