delusion • diluc

xxi

• third person •

The winery door was shoved open. Drips of rain trailed across the floor, followed by the heavy breathing of a certain man.

"Master Diluc! You as well?"

"A-and... is that..?"

Diluc's eyes narrowed, his hair stuck to his face. And not only that, but...

Kaeya's stupid fur thing too.

"Master Kaeya..."

"Me as well? What do you mean? Is (Y/N) home yet?" Diluc's grip on Kaeya was rapidly slipping.

"Y-yes sir. She's right over there on the sofa. Please, let me get ready some warm drinks for you all."

"That would be kind of you, Elzer. Don't mind Kaeya though; it'll just get cold."

Elzer nodded, rushing to close the door after Diluc, before scurrying back to the kitchen. Immediately, Diluc dragged Kaeya to the corner of the room, his face instantly falling into relief upon seeing her.

She was staring at nothing. The blood seemed to have left her skin, and she was soaked through and through. She was curled up at the end of the sofa, and it appeared Elzer had given her a blanket.

(Y/N) looked up at Diluc. Her gaze flickered between him and what seemed to be an unconscious Kaeya on his back, before she smiled an almost lifeless smile.

"Why were you out in the rain, love? You must have fallen ill now." Diluc dumped Kaeya onto the sofa opposite. (Y/N) watched him silently as he ran his hand through his wet hair, before pulling off his gloves.

She didn't say anything. Diluc sat down next to her.

"It's okay," Diluc smiled. "I'll take care of you if you feel sick. After we have a drink I'll prepare you a warm bath."

(Y/N) wanted to say thanks, and perhaps tell him she loved him, yet...

She felt if she spoke she'd probably just end up bursting out into tears.

(Y/N) simply nodded. Diluc turned to look at her.

"Tired?"

She nodded again.

"Once we get into dry clothes we can sleep and cuddle together all you want."

(Y/N) sniffled.

"O-okay."

Diluc blinked. (Y/N) averted her gaze.

"Did something happen?" he asked quietly. "You aren't usually like this..."

(Y/N) shook her head, turning away. She hid her face in the sofa, shuffling beneath the blanket.

Diluc climbed over her slightly, gently kissing her forehead over the blanket.

"You don't have to tell me, but know that I'm right here."

He smiled softly, gently tugging down the blanket to reveal at least her eyes.

"I love you," he whispered.

(Y/N)'s eyebrows furrowed, her breath falling shaky. She pulled the blanket back over her again.

"(Y/N)..?"

"I love you too," she whispered.

It came out rapidly, almost as if she was in a rush to say it back. Diluc reached beneath the blanket, searching for her hand. (Y/N) grabbed his.

"Sorry..." she murmured after taking a deep breath. "I don't feel great right now..."

His warm hand rested in hers. She still had her gloves on, wet, and the tips of her fingers that peaked out of her gloves were freezing cold.