Shine True (Diluc x Reader)

Chapter 1: The Cold Breeze of Mondstadt

I had no home to go to, nor a single mora on me. The cold breeze of the wind gave me goosebumps all over, and my purple lightweight dress flowed in the wind brushing against my knees. It was during the evening here in Mondstadt, and as I said before, I have nowhere to stay nor a single mora on me. How pathetic of me, I should have come here at least slightly prepared. I walked slowly along the stone pathways leading towards the Angels Share, the most popular tavern here in Mondstadt, known for its delicious drinks all over Teyvat. I have heard rumours that the tavern is also known for its drunkards and spectacular bards, although that stuff isn't anything I would enjoy. I wouldn't normally go to a tavern like this for entertainment and all, but knowing my situation, it wasn't like I had anywhere else to go for a drink. Unless I wanted to embarrass myself looking like a dog or something drinking out of the central fountain. 

I approached the door of the tavern, it was already hustling inside with many people and I could hear the voices of chatter ring throughout my ears like a typhoon of sound. The windows were brightly lit up to glow from the outside, and I could faintly see through the window a small spot in the corner of the tavern fit perfect for somebody like me to sit. As long as nobody took it in the next 30 seconds, i'm sure my time here would be sort of worthwhile.

I opened the medium sized door to an even louder sound of voices, clattering of drinks and lyre songs. Without any disturbance I made my way over to the seat I saw before and placed the small bag I held down on the seat opposite, seating myself on the second free one. Saving my place, I made my way over to the counter where a boy with dark braids sat talking to todays bartender with much enthusiasm. 

"Excuse me sir, could I please have a glass of water?", I asked in a soft tone. 

'Of course miss, but wouldn't you like to try todays special? Today it is Dandelion Wine!", The brown haired man loudly said already pouring a small glass of water. 

"I would but I don't have any mora left on me..", I said guiltily refusing his offer. 

"Oh alright then! Regardless, have an amazing night!", He said a bit disappointed in my reply. 

Perhaps he was excited for me to try a drink he brewed or mixed especially? I hope that I didn't hurt his feelings. I mean, I can't of right? All I did was ask for a glass of water, and it wasn't like I could magically make up enough more in thin air..I thought.

As I approached my seat, a man dressed in green with a similar shade of brunette to the bartender, made his way over to me with a smirk on his face. He wore a bright red tie and brown boots, and looked like he had a couple too many drinks of wine. He leant down towards me as I leant backwards against the table, him snatching my bag that contained a map to Mondstadt and a crystal a young boy named Bennett gave me when I arrived here. That crystal was very special to me and no way was I letting this guy take it away from me. 

"Excuse me but that is my.."

"Who gives a crap if this is yours or not, it belongs to me now", The green dressed man interrupted as he rummaged through the bag for anything valuable he could steal. 

He took out the small jade crystal that glowed a bright shade of aqua and stuffed it into his small round pocket of his pants and made a dash to the front door. It was angering that nobody was watching and was too busy drinking to notice what was happening, so I quickly leapt out of my seat and followed the man at a fast pace out the door. He ran quite slow and I managed to get a lead to his tail, but before I could grab the stone out of his rather large hand, I tripped over a crack in the path as he took off, leaving me on the ground with scrapes on my knees and elbows. They hurt like hell, and blood began to drip from the grazes onto the grey paving. I sat there, positioned on the ground and began to treat my graze with the fabric of my bag he left behind. It was pretty much ruined now, with blood stained across one half of the front side. There was nothing I could do with injuries like these, and my sword I would usually carry on me broke on the journey here from Liyue Harbour. My luck was beginning to feel a bit like the boy I got the crystal from, he mentioned to me he had horrible luck. Maybe the crystal getting stolen was all from his bad luck too, I mean he was the one who gave it to me, but still it was special...

I sat there silently for a bit muffly crying into my dress until I saw a dark figure walk up to me. I could see the bright aqua colour of my crystal shining brightly in his gloved hand, and his tied up hair flowed in the wind perfectly. He knelt down in front of me and handed me back the crystal I thought was gone forever. 

"Are you alright? Look, you are all grazed up..", The crimson haired man said as he took out a small cloth from his jacket pocket and gently cared my wounds. 

'Your cloth...its covered in blood now..", I mumbled to him.

"No need to worry, what's more important is your safety", He said completely ignoring the fact that his what was crystal white cloth was now covered in my own blood, probably preventable from ever coming out. 

The man wrapped the white cloth around my grazed knee and reached out his hand down to me. Thats right, I am still sitting down like a loser. I took his gloved hand, it was warm, even through the gloves and was settling to the touch. I stood up and gave him a proper glance, I felt very rude considering I gave him a mumble while he had done all this for me. 

"I'm very sorry for what happened", the man said as I stared at his beautifully red eyes. "I can assure you that the man you encountered will not act like this again." "Reckless Pallad, known for his troublesome acts, if only the corrupt souls of this world would be cleansed."

He fiddled with his gloves and adjusted them on his hands.

"What is your name? Can I escort you home?", the man said as he began to lead me more into central Mondstadt, past the flower shop and up the stairs near the adventurers guild. 

"Y/N...Y/N L/N", I again mumbled quietly, but he seemed to hear clearly. 

"So..Y/N", He said as we came to a stop. "As I mentioned before, where do you live? I must make sure you get home safely", He said. 

I stood there worried. How was I meant to tell him I had no home or nowhere to stay? What then? Would he just turn around and abandon me here seeing as there is nowhere further to go? 

"Umm", I saids suspiciously to him trying to think of the right words. 

"What is it. Tell me", He said, with slight frustration in his voice. 

"Well the thing is Mr, I don't have a home or anywhere to go so, if I am wasting your time, you can leave it is alright...", I said quite shyly. He was a complete stranger to me, although he had a look of authority I could not quite make out. 

"No need for the formalities. Just call me Diluc.", Diluc sighed as he began to readjust his gloves once again. Was this his way of fidgeting? 

"You said you had nowhere to go right?", Diluc said affirmingly to me, watching me as he waited for an answer. 

"Mhm", I muttered.

"This leave me no choice then, I can't be responsible for leaving a girl like you out here. Now come along, don't make me wait", Diluc said strictly as he directed me to follow him. 

He lead us out the front gates of Mondstadt and across the front bridge. Where was he taking me? I felt a rush of panic flow through my body...I literally just decided it was okay for me to follow a complete stranger outside the gates of Mondstadt and out into who knows where. Diluc was his name was it? It sounded oddly familiar... it must be just me though. A name like that and I would remember it perfectly clear, I thought as we walked along a dusty path, him occasionally glancing back at me to make sure I was safe.