Something Sweet

Chapter 7

Author's note: 

10/10/2023 Update** Felt like coming back to review this chapter and clear up some of the grammar and punctuation. Still isn't perfect, but manageable. Didn't change much of the original work. Just made it easier to read. 

Thanks for being patient with the delays.

Enjoy

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Waking up within the early hours, Diluc was first to stir awake as he recognized the lingering darkness in the room. It was before the dawn hour, so he wasn't fast to move since he wasn't alone.

Recognizing the familiar blonde bundled up next to him, he tried not to wake her when he detected the numbness in his right arm. Jean's head had been resting on his arm for the night, so he must not have noticed it in his sleep.

Even with the numbness in his arm, Diluc remained still without shifting, listening to the sleeping snoozes Jean released in her slumber.

The remaining darkness kept the room with little detail while Diluc faintly made out Jean's sleeping expression in front of him.

He wouldn't dare move or turn a light on, knowing the possible risk of interrupting her sleep. Instead, he remained next to her for the next few minutes, gradually resisting the urge to caress her sleeping figure. With the events of last night resurfacing in his mind, Diluc unwantedly felt his body react to the memories.

Feeling his urge to shift closer, he resisted the temptation by gently fixing some of her tussled hair strands behind her ear. It was a simple action, yet it was enough for Jean to stir in her sleep and turn away.

Refusing the immediate impulse to pull her back to him, he suppressed his disappointment. Breathing out a defeated sigh, he instead took this as a sign to retract on his end and get ready for the day.

He carefully stood out of bed in an unhurried manner and moved to retrieve the hint of his clothes lying on the wooden floors.

Diluc was able to find his pants first, followed by his shirt. He ignored the vest and, at some point, had accidentally stepped on the metal piece to his belt buckle while fixing his clothes. It caused a slight amount of noise but not enough to wake Jean.

Leaving the room looking completely disheveled, Diluc didn't bother finding his shoes as he walked down the hallway barefooted. He was still in the middle of fixing his belt around his waist when he momentarily paused at the top of the stairs, "Elzer?"

There was no immediate response, so Diluc proceeded down the stairs to determine why the manor appeared emptier than usual.

The sun wasn't out quite yet, but the dim lighting inside the manor was enough to illuminate the main floor.

"Master Diluc?" Elzer exited the kitchen doors to notice his young master's unkempt appearance.

"Where's everyone?" Diluc ran a hand through his messy hair, glancing around to notice no single maid in sight.

"If I may..." The head butler approached his young master, "Your shirt isn't buttoned correctly."

The short mention had Diluc glancing down to notice he had misaligned the buttons, "Doesn't matter." He found his appearance unimportant as he gave it an unfazed shrug, "I'm more bothered with how empty this place is. Why isn't anyone here? It's clearly sunrise..."

Elzer briefly glanced over his shoulder to see the hint of the early morning sun beginning to shine through the windows.

"Allow me to explain..." the head butler cleared his throat before continuing, "Due to last night's events. I had all the night and morning staff dismissed from both floors to arrange proper privacy measures...."