delusion • diluc

ix

• third person •

"What do you mean? Already?"

"Fuck," she cursed beneath her breath. "We've taken too long."

"You said I'll be able to head to Liyue in time."

"You will." She ran her hand through her blonde strands, sighing in exasperation. "You can just leave. I don't need your help anyway, sweetheart. It's only because of your relations with her."

"I'm not leaving you to deal with her yourself. Who knows what you'll do."

The woman's heels tapped against the floor, an uneasiness welling up in her chest as she stood behind the cathedral walls. It was daytime in Mondstadt, and it seemed the Stormterror issue had already been dealt with.

That was what her partner told her. And that only meant one thing...

"My my..." She smirked. "What do you think I'll do, hmm? If you really intend to stay then just get the Ragnvindr away from her, that is all. I'm sure you'll do quite well with those tendencies of yours."

She pursed her lips. The commotion outside the cathedral had begun.

"You sound so confident for how nervous you look. You could easily leave, you know."

"Shut up," she hissed. "Know your place."

The ginger-haired man laughed quietly, glancing over to the bard and the traveller who had been frozen into the ground. "She'll notice you."

"She's already noticed me."

The gnosis was taken. Part of the job done already.

And what have I done...

"Well, we have what we came here for. Come, before our dear Favonian friends arrive. Leave nothing for them to find."

Within a blink, an icy aura appeared before her, biting into her skin. Her eyes narrowed.

"And you... So slow." The sickening mockery of laughter echoed from the familiar figure. "When will you do anything right... Such a waste."

And with that, the Fatui disappeared without a trace.

• • •

"I... I brought a sword. I know how to use one, you know."

(Y/N) stood awkwardly before the large wooden door, the sun setting peacefully behind her as she held the blade awkwardly before her.

He stared at her for a moment. His hair was a little messy, and he questioned in his mind whether she had even found out about the news.

Diluc had just gotten home. She was here sooner than he thought.

"You do?" he replied bluntly. He stood straight, still, as if a statue.

"I'm a knight!" (Y/N) exclaimed. "You train with all sorts of weapons before you become one."

"Then don't you already know how to use a claymore?"

"I've been using a bow much longer than anything else... I only trained with a sword until the captain realised my archery skills."

"Hm."

He looked away. Diluc couldn't even remember when she became a knight, to be honest. Not that he cared either way.