Just a little bit 𝓶𝓸𝓻𝓮 // Diluc x Reader

7~ Not as cold as he seems

She also confirmed my suspicions: the Fatui were after the Anemo God's power. To that end, they also stole the Holy Lyre der Himmel.

"Diluc has determined that the Holy Lyre is not being held in the Groth Grand Hotel," Jean continued. "We have a fairly accurate guess as to where they have hidden it."

"Then let's not waste any more time, shall we?"

~~~

"I will wait here for you and keep watch. Take care!" were Jean's parting words when we arrived at the Fatui hideout. "We're counting on you two!"

A lump formed in my throat as I struggled to smile and nodded.

"Come on, let's go." the redhead now urged, stepping towards the entrance.

That was nothing more than a narrow gap between two high rock walls. It was behind Springvale, beside the lake. The large moon was reflected in it and to our right a waterfall splashed loudly into the depths.

But the natural sounds were not enough to drown out my racing thoughts. I was about to enter the hideout alone with Diluc to retrieve the Holy Lyre.

If four people infiltrated the Fatui hideout at once, it would be too conspicuous. So Jean had decided to stand guard outside the entrance and Venti stayed at the tavern. They would support us in the worst case.

But that didn't improve my uneasy feeling.

Nevertheless I made up my mind and waved to Jean one last time before entering the hideout together with Diluc.

Inside we found ourselves in a long tunnel. The air here was stuffy and uncomfortably warm.

Diluc towered high in front of me with his back to me. He peered down the long dark corridor, impenetrable to the human eye alone. So he raised one of his gloved hands on whose palm a small flame ignited, just strong enough to enlighten everything within ten feet.

"Here. Put these on." said Diluc, holding out a black mask that was just enough to cover my eyes. Diluc's intelligence in all honour, but did he really think that would be enough not to be recognized?

"The Fatui are officially still allies of Mondstadt. They are here to keep up the facade, not hide us," he added when he saw my hesitation.

I nodded quickly in understanding and put on my mask.

"Ready?" he asked, not bothering to turn back to me.

Still a little intimidated by his presence, I only managed a "Mhm..."but that seemed to be enough for the redhead. He started to walk into the darkness.

While we walked through the tunnel I stared steadily at his back as if that would solve all my problems.

We were alone, would he not address the body swap? Did he not care that a complete stranger lived his life for a day?

No, I had noticed how it irritated him today when we first met, after all. So why didn't he say anything now but rather strangle me with silence?

I didn't have the guts to broach the subject, so I guess I would have to wait a little longer for him to make the first move.

The stone tunnel soon opened up and we stood in a larger room. The walls here were also made of stone, but polished smooth and even decorated. Cobwebs, mouldy boards, broken boxes in every corner. The whole place resembled an abandoned ruin rather than a secret hideout.