It's dark in his room. The curtains are firmly closed, and when he wakes up, Diluc pulls the cover back over his head, trying to block his own consciousness out.. He wishes he could have miraculously slept through- that the universe might take some pity on him, grant him some peace. He did not want to do this. Of all the wretched days in a year, this one is the worst.
For years, he's been trying to work out the least painful way to endure it. He tried mindlessly slaughtering Fatui, vision hazy in a bloodthirsty rage. He tried working at the bar. He tried sitting by the graveyard, praying to any god that would listen that no one would talk to him.
But it never worked- someone always said something, or there was business to attend to, or he just couldn't deal with the stares. So this year? Diluc has elected to stay in bed.
A tiny sliver of sunlight shines on his face through the gaps in the fabric, and he groans, turning over. He's not awake enough to think yet, so the feeling hasn't quite set in, but there's just something about this day. It's tainted, he thinks.
There's a soft knock at the door. He ignores it. Whoever it is seems to get the message.
If it was solitary grieving, he thinks he could cope- it's just a little heavier than every other day of the year, and he manages to get through those. It's just... everyone knows. Everyone in Mondstadt knew Crepus. There's no getting away from what he's lost.
The people mean well, but he finds himself biting his tongue when they try to comfort him; he doesn't want to be pitied. He just wants to, as embarrassing as it is, mope.
And that's what he had planned to do. Until he hears a knock on the balcony door.
"Special delivery for master Diluc!" The voice has a natural sing-song tone, and he hears the smile in their words.
He doesn't make any attempt to move.
A sigh. Then, "If you don't open this door, I will!" The sing-song tone is suddenly slightly more ominous. He decides to oblige.
On his balcony, bathed in morning sunlight, is Venti. Their hair is down about their face instead of in their signature braids, and they're wearing a flowing white dress, patterned with dandelion embroidery. They're smiling. They're impossibly beautiful.
"Good morning, my love," they say, voice slightly gentler. "Care to join me?"
He blinks, mostly just relieved they aren't asking how he is. Their eyes, as usual, give nothing away. He cocks his head to the side; a question, because he's still tired, and not entirely capable of forming words yet.
They gesture to the wicker basket on their arm. "I wanted to go pick some flowers today, from around Mondstadt. I've been lacking inspiration lately." The wind picks up slightly, and their dress moves around their calves, fabric touching Diluc's bare legs.
He... isn't sure what to do. He wanted to spend the day alone, so no one could ask him any questions, and he could avoid thinking of it altogether, but... now there's Venti. They're here, on his balcony, in a beautiful dress with wild green hair curling around their rosy cheeks, and he feels trapped by their smile, like it's laced with a magic spell.
"Oh," Venti says, snapping him out of his indecision by placing their hand on his arm. "This isn't optional. Go get dressed. I'll be waiting downstairs!" And before he can open his mouth to protest, they're gone. Only a giggle in the wind remains.
Diluc rubs his eyes, still trying to process, but goes inside anyway. It's for them, he reasons, sliding on his shirt. Not me. He's convinced himself fully before his socks are even on.
