BEFORE DAWN
chr: diluc
desc: you and diluc bond over the fireplace.
content: gn!reader, fluff, childhood friend!diluc, albedo’s assistant!reader
wc: 828
The rain hasn't stopped since you stepped foot in Mondstadt. Master Albedo requested that you make a trip to Liyue Harbor to collect some alchemy materials only found in the nation of Geo from a man called 'Zhongli.’ He was a kind gentleman, although a little odd with the old-fashioned way he spoke but that was none of your business. Your business involved the torrential rain that threatened to slip you onto the slimy mud that was stuck to your boots. You knew the Dawn Winery was only a minute's walk away so you decided to head there instead of going straight into the city which saved you from injuring yourself, if that happened, Master Albedo would never forgive himself.
This is how you find yourself heading to the fireplace of the Dawn Winery after Adelinde hurriedly ushered you inside from the rain as she prepares your bath. You find Diluc sitting in his favorite chair in casual clothes; it seems he's getting ready to retire for the night. He nods at you as you approach and you return the gesture with a smile. The clothes he's given you are unsurprisingly comfortable and warm, recognizing them to be Diluc's when he was younger.
"Your room is on the left, next to mine. Your bag is getting dried and the materials are safely stored in the chest in your room," You say your thanks before he sits up, heading up the stairs. You thought he's heading to bed so you decide to sit on the carpeted floor right in front of the fireplace. It's cold in the winery, not surprising when it's currently autumn but the rainy season doesn't help the already freezing temperatures.
You turn around when you hear footsteps behind you and you see Diluc carrying a dark gray blanket in his arms. Your eyes widen when he sits down next to you before giving you the blanket to wrap around your freezing form.
"I thought you were headed to bed," You whisper loud enough for him to hear against the continuous sound of rain outside.
"I thought I'd join you for a while, but… if you want to be alone, I could go." Diluc gestures behind him with his thumb, ready to leave if you would just say the word. But then he relaxes when you shake your head at him with a smile, "It's okay. I'd like the company."
A comfortable silence blankets you two. The sound of the embers’ sharp crackling in the fireplace and the rain’s soft tune when it hits the roof tiles mix together to create a beautiful comfy symphony as you and Diluc serve as their audience. Amidst the pleasant atmosphere—there’s still a coldness inside the winery, evident with the way Diluc’s hands shake on his lap. It’s clear he’s trying to hide it with the way he’s curling his hands into fists and the way he every so often uncurls them to fidget with the cotton cloth of his pants. Or… is he nervous?
“You’re cold,” If not for the weather, he would have been offended, thinking that you’re talking about his persona but he only stares at your face in confusion like he wasn’t just rubbing his hands on his pants to warm them up. You laugh at this which only confuses him more.
"You're cold. And this blanket is quite big for one person," You don’t say it directly but with the way he stares at you with an expression that you couldn’t quite decipher, you could say for certain that he knows what you mean. Diluc could feel his face heat up at the thought of him and you under that huge blanket. Together. Close. Touching.
You kind of regret even suggesting the thought when it looks like Diluc is about to burst into flames and rival the flames in the fireplace but then he slowly scoots closer to you like you’re a creature that he wouldn’t want to scare off, maybe thinking that he was going to hurt you. He settles down beside you as he helps you wrap the blanket around his broad shoulders. He visibly relaxes when he doesn't feel the bitter cold biting at his scarred hands anymore. He’s like a large lapdog under the soft amber lighting of the fire especially when he tilts his head when he catches you staring at his face. You both look away from each other with content smiles on your faces.
You weren’t sure how or when you fell asleep but it doesn’t matter when everything you need at that moment is right there with you wrapped in a pretty red bow. Diluc sure feels the same as well.
When the morning light came and shone through the windows of the Dawn Winery, Adelinde could only stare at the two cuddled up over the fire. She smiles and walks out, opting not to disturb them.
It seems Master Diluc found a reason to love again.
— 07/27/22
