Just a little bit 𝓶𝓸𝓻𝓮 // Diluc x Reader

8~ To Underestimate Someone

"Every battle will end one day. Some lives are lost, but others can be saved. The world is unfair but nothing to grieve, it is simply the way of things. Besides, your sentiment is not a weakness, it just shows how much you value life."

"Maybe you're not just a cold, shameless man who knows nothing but his own business after all as I thought at first..."

"Whatever..." he turned away and headed for the exit. "Lets go."

"Yes sir!"

My respect for Diluc rose again and my opinion of him changed a little for the better.

~~~

Morning was already dawning in the blue sky when Diluc and I finally made it out of the Fatui hideout.

My clothes were dusty, single strands stuck to my sweaty forehead, and my sword hung coldly from my back, but I had made it. We had made it.

Jean had been watching by the entrance the whole time as promised, in case we needed assistance. A sigh of relief had escaped her when she had seen us both come out of the cave unharmed and with the lyre.

The mission had been a complete success in every way. Not only was I able to help Jean and Mondstadt uncover Dvalin's secret, but I also got to know Diluc a little bit better.

I remained silent on the way back, while Diluc and Jean exchanged information about the further procedure and other news concerning the situation.

Surely the two had worked together many times in the past, they made a good team.

Arriving at the tavern, the sun was already glittering over the horizon and I just couldn't suppress a yawn.

I hadn't slept much in the past few days, which was no wonder with all the commotion. The retrieval of the lyre however, had cost me a lot of energy.

"Welcome back!" Venti was immediately on hand as the three of us entered the tavern. "Did you manage to retrieve the Holy Lyre?"

As I closed the door behind me, Diluc took the lyre from under his cloak in response and held it out to Venti. "We indeed were able to"

A smile spread across the bard's face and a sparkle appeared in his eyes as he carefully took the lyre in his hands. With smooth movements, he twisted and turned it between his fingers. It almost looked like it was not the first time he held it in his hands.

"What do you think. Can you summon Dvalin with the Lyre?" asked Jean with her arms crossed, not taking her eyes off the bard.

I decided to leave the talking to them and sat down on one of the bar stools where I could lean comfortably against the counter in the meantime. Another small yawn escaped me, but I quickly blinked the sleep out of my eyes.

"That will be possible... but some preparations in advance will be necessary. Over the years the lyre has almost completely lost its anemo power, we need to restore it" Venti stated, finally averting his eyes from the instrument.

"That's what (y/n) will help us with," Venti continued to explain and I snapped out of my thoughts.

"Do you still have Dvalin's Teardrop Crystal with you?" he continued questioningly, meanwhile floating the lyre in his hand in front of us.

"Ah!". The teardrop from my first meeting with the bard in the forest was indeed still in my possession. Hastily, I took it out.

"Great! Try to use it on the Holy Lyre." Venti instructed me, holding the lyre out.