Something Sweet

Chapter 1

Author's note: 

This is my first story to post and it's a work in progress, but I wanted to give it a chance and write a little about a Genshin Impact couple that hasn't been given much attention. So this idea came to mind.

I am no expert in writing, so please be kind and most importantly enjoy.  Any helpful tips on writing please share as I wrote, edited, and proofread on my own (...there's only so much I can correct on my own...)  

To my strong DilucxJean shippers, this story is for you!

(Explicit content, so you've been warned...)

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Late afternoon in Mondstadt ...

Without much as a warning, the door to a rather busy tavern swung open with immense force as a familiar blonde with his hovering friend ran up to the bar, slightly out of breath.

"Diluc! We need your help!" Aether paused to catch his breath with a few gasps, taking hold of the countertop.

Without much of an interest in what was occurring to the struggling traveler, Diluc silently continued wiping clean the remaining wine glasses.

"It's Grandmaster Jean!" Paimon urgently exclaimed, "She's in trouble. We have to hurry and help her!"

The information was brief, but it was enough for Diluc to set the glass down and turn his attention over to the frantic duo.

"Let me guess... is your acting grandmaster out there exhausting herself with work yet again?" Sounding completely unmoved over Jean's problematic status, Diluc wasn't budging about helping someone very capable of taking care of herself. "Listen, you two, I'm busy and about to set up for tonight. Ask some of your fellow knights to pitch in help."

"But Diluc, it's--"

"It's not my problem."Diluc continued brushing them off, "Tell her to get some rest if she's doing too much again."

"But that's the thing- we can't get to her!" Aether spoke over him. "We accompanied Acting Grandmaster Jean over by Stormterror territory because there was a suspicious movement by the fatui. And the last thing we know, Jean was gone!"

"Gone?" Diluc crossed his arms, contemplating his next course of action.

"There was suddenly a huge mass of ice!" Paimon answered instead, "It sealed the entrance completely, and we couldn't go in! That's why we need your help!"

"Ice?" The fatui had their degree of using elemental casting without a vision, but judging from their reaction, these two were utterly sealed off... there had to be more to it. It wasn't the work of a fatui clan. There had to be some form of the Abyss Order getting involved...

"We couldn't pursue any further, Diluc." The blonde propped himself up on the bar counter, "It's an ice fortress, and Jean won't survive with her blessing being entirely useless to sub-zero temperatures."

"Please, we have to get inside!" Paimon swiftly hovered away to the door, urging her traveling companion to follow.

"Hey, Charles...? It looks like I'll have to leave the place up to you tonight." Diluc began to step out from behind the bar, "Think you can handle it?"

The brunette-bearded man, currently in the process of carrying restocking material, gave a quick glance to meet the urgent eyes of both the traveler and his companion. "No worries on my end." He turned his attention to his employer, "I'll handle things here."