Second Lead Syndrome || Diluc R. x Reader

Sober Thoughts

Donna puts on her best look of shock. "Oh my, you didn't know? The contract Y/N has with her family is ending soon. She has to go back to Fontaine to join the Fatui."

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A small part of Donna regrets the words as they leave her mouth, but the damage has been done and she won't let Y/N take him away.

"What are you talking about?" Diluc asks. "Unless you have any proof, I'll have to ask you to leave." He glares at her.

"I'm so sorry! I didn't know you weren't aware." Donna gasps, feigning ignorance. Diluc can easily see through her facade. She isn't sorry one bit. He hates people like her the most.

Regardless, he suppresses the urge to tell her off and simply sighs. "It's fine. I doubt Y/N would make any contract like that, so please just ask her before you believe any rumors."

"It isn't a rumor. I heard from Y/N herself." Donna says. "She's quite saddened that she must leave." Donna adds to make her lie seem a bit more believable.

Diluc tries to mask the shock written over his face. Y/N told her herself? Nonsense. Diluc quickly composes himself. "Thank you Donna, but I'll have to ask you to leave now." He can't tell what Donna's motives are or why she's playing dumb and innocent. Clearly, she wanted to tell me that Y/N would be leaving, but why? And if it's true, why would Y/N tell Donna before me?

"I'm really sorry. I had no idea she hasn't told you yet." The lies slip off her tongue as she exits the winery, leaving Diluc alone with his myriad of questions.

Why would Y/N be returning to Fontaine? I thought she said she hated it there? Why would she join the Fatui? Diluc's brows knit together, deep in thought. Y/N would never give up her position of Captain at the Knights of Favonius. She said herself that her career is one of the only things she has going for her. Diluc recalls her words from the night that now seems years ago. Why would Donna lie? He thinks as he exits the winery.

The amount of people and noise doesn't help him keep a clear head. In fact, it only seems to amplify the anxieties festering in his mind. Certainly Y/N would stay, wouldn't she? Unlike his father or Kaeya who have left him behind, Y/N would be different.

He hesitates to go ask Y/N himself and instead takes a seat in the far corner of the terrace. What if he hears something he doesn't want to hear? What if she really is going to join the Fatui? Was she really going to leave him without a goodbye or explanation?

Diluc runs a hand through his hair as his eyes flicker over to the table of crystalline glasses filled with deep, blood-red liquid. As the bitter drink touches his tongue, he grimaces at the gross taste. Nevertheless, he downs the rest of the glass, trying to drown out the noise of his doubts with the wine.

Diluc doesn't know how much time had passed since he took his first glass, but his head finally starts to get a bit clearer the fuzzier his thoughts become. He glances down at the table to see another empty glass sitting atop the silk tablecloth. Diluc blinks, trying to focus his slightly blurry gaze. He realizes he's on his third glass if he includes the one from earlier this evening.

Fuck. I drank way too much. Diluc's never drank so much before. Hell, he's barely ever drank. He leans his head on his hand as he tries to remember why he was drinking so much in the first place. Y/N is leaving. I need answers. Feeling the alcohol lighten the weight of his anxiety, Diluc looks around, scanning the crowd for her familiar face. He stands up, failing to differentiate any of the faraway faces in the crowds. I'll just go look for her.

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"Just one day off wouldn't hurt, darling~" Lisa purrs to Jean, her words slurring drunkenly.