this is the start to my new series! it's set during the time Diluc rampages against the Fatui :) i hope you all enjoy it and if you want to be added to a taglist for this series, let me know!
diluc x childe x gn! reader | angst and fluff mixed throughout, tw: blood
Sun peeked through the window in your small home and shone right into your eyes; it felt warm on your face when compared to the brisk cold of Snezhnaya. For a brief moment after waking, you thought you smelled the sweet scent of bacon and toast. You quickly opened your eyes at the thought of a delicious breakfast, but was quickly reminded that you lived alone and the cold around you was the same temperature as your heart.
It hadn’t always been like this. Your life had been pretty normal up until a few years ago; your neighbor Ajax was around and your parents had been happy. But when the Fatui first came to your remote town, the atmosphere quickly turned into a blizzard. Ajax was recruited away and your only friend was gone just like that; no more making snowmen, going ice fishing, or snowball fights in town. Ajax used to bring light to your everyday with his beaming smile, but it had been years since you’d last seen it and it had become a faint memory in your mind.
Soon after that, the Fatui started taking cuts from your father’s ice fishing business and claimed it was for tax purposes. You knew it was bullshit and so did your father, but up against the skilled Fatui skirmishers, there was nothing that could be done. Money started becoming an issue at home and desperate times call for desperate measures. So when the Fatui posted a job opportunity, your parents both signed up. You knew you would be lonely, but you had to be strong and as your mother kissed your cheeks and your father held you closely, your resolve solidified; you would hold down the fort until they returned. That was two years ago and although your parents promised to write, they never did.
Now it was just you and these four walls.
You rose up out of bed, got dressed, and walked to the kitchen. You contemplated making breakfast, but the task seemed too taxing and you settled for a piece of bread from the loaf on the table. Bread in hand, you walked to the front door’s window and saw a large crowd gathering in the town square. Worried that the Fatui were about to release an unsavory notice, you scarfed down your bread, threw on a coat and scarf, and tied your boots.
Walking into the square, you realized almost every person in town was out and some Fatui skirmishers were on the tiny soapbox in the center. One of the skirmishers spoke over the crowd’s quiet rumbling and announced “Recently, there has been a large amount of members from the Fatui going missing. We have not been able to locate the perpetrator as of now. The current information is that he wears a red coat and has red hair. If you see anyone matching this description, please let one of us know and stay inside your homes for the time being”. Hushed murmurs spread out around the town and everyone looked visibly worried but the crowd eventually dispersed and people returned home.
Later that night, you heard a loud crash outside. You rushed to the front door window and saw a flash of red dash by. Then a bright light shone outside and screams from the Fatui could be heard outside. Against your better judgement, you ran outside and caught a glimpse of the red-haired man before he darted into the woods. You walked past bodies of the Fatui and realized he had not left a single one standing. Looking into the woods that the mystery man ran into, you see a trail of blood staining the snow. Slightly thankful for the man ridding the town of the Fatui, you followed the trail to see if he needed help.
After walking for longer than you expected, you found a small tent nestled against a large pine tree. Treading carefully, you approached the tent and right before you opened the flap, a soft but stern voice spoke, “What do you think you’re doing?”.
You muttered, “Oh sorry” and backed away from the tent a little. “I live in the town you just came through and followed the trail of blood here”, you heard a small ‘tch’ from within. Slightly shy now, you said, “If you need medical help, I can assist”.
Diluc knew from your footsteps that you meant no harm, but no good could come from associating with him so he replied with, “I’m alright, thank you”.
You nodded and said, “Thanks to you too, for you know…cleaning up the town” and started backing away. Diluc heard your receding footsteps and decided to quickly patch himself and then clean up the blood in the snow was best as he could. But when he exited the tent, he was surprised to see you hadn’t gone far and were still staring at the tent.
Startled that you were still there, he said “What are you still doing here?”.
“Oh uh, I was worried about you. So I just wanted to make sure you didn’t pass out in there or anything”. You looked down sheepishly.
Diluc audibly sighed and said, “It’s fine, just keep going”.
His voice was so smooth and you had no other excuses for staying, so you continued walking. As you turned away, a large gust of wind blew through and early signs of a blizzard started to show. You knew how harsh Snezhnayan blizzards could be and turned back to the red-haired stranger.
“You should come back with me. A blizzard is coming and it’ll be pretty dangerous in that tent with your injuries”.
Diluc may be headstrong, but he knew you were right and he reluctantly said, “Alright, but only for the night. And no one else can know I was here”.
You beamed that he listened to your request and said, “That’s no problem! I live alone anyways”.
Diluc nodded and said “Ok, wait here”. Diluc quickly packed up his tent and other belongings and followed you back.
During your walk, you realized you had still not introduced yourselves to each other. You turned back towards the man and said, “I’m y/n by the way. Can I know your name?”.
Diluc wished he didn’t have to tell you, but realized it would be quite rude if he withheld his name from someone who showed him kindness. “It’s Diluc”.
You thought it was a pretty name and the two of you reached the back entrance of your home.
“Here we are”. You opened the door and Diluc followed behind. You turned on a small lamp in your house and motioned towards the couch. “Please make yourself comfortable, I’m just going to grab some bandages and stuff”.
Diluc walked over and set his pack down and took off his coat. He couldn’t see the blood stains on his black shirt, but he knew it was soaked from how it stuck to his body. By the time you returned, Diluc was sitting on the couch with his shirt slightly lifted up. You could see several scars and saw how the back of his shirt had large claw marks through it. Announcing your presence with “I’m back”, Diluc looked backwards.
“Do you know where your injuries are?”.
“Yeah, just some along my chest and back”.
“Ok, whenever you’re ready…you can take off your shirt”.
He took off his shirt and although your thoughts were inappropriate, you couldn’t stop yourself from thinking how nicely built he was. His shoulders blended into his neck beautifully, his chest was perfectly toned, and his ab muscles were like a mountain range.
Diluc coughed and you were brought out of your trance. You quickly got to work cleaning and dressing his wounds.
Diluc thought your owlish stare was precious and he looked away as you dressed his wounds. Just as you finished, Diluc heard fast footsteps approaching. He pushed you to the ground and snuffed out the light on the table. Grabbing his claymore, he stood at the bend of the door and waited for the intruder to enter.
You looked up at Diluc in a confused manner and thought, ‘What is he doing?’. Then you saw a man’s silhouette through the window. He opened the door and in the dim moonlight you saw orange hair and blue eyes that you never thought you’d see again. You were about to stand up when you saw Diluc’s claymore swing towards Ajax and right before it met Ajax’s skin, two blades made of water appeared in Ajax’s hands and parried the blade.
Before the two broke out into a fight, you shouted “Stop!”. The two men paused and you turned on the lamp. Looking over, you saw it really was Ajax. You ran over and threw your arms around him. Incredulously, you spoke into his hair, “Ajax? Is that really you?”.
Ajax held you closer and said, “Yes, sorry it took me so long”. Remembering the red-headed culprit in the room, Ajax broke off your hug and pushed you behind him. “But first, you’re going to tell me what this scum is doing in your house”.
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