Fly Away, Promising To Return (DilucxReader)

Ch 1

"Diluc!" I hear our front door open as I finished applying one of my face masks. I pop my head into out living room to see his tired face. He's very rarely not busy, so when he comes back from work I try to get him to relax. "I was heading to bed soon, but my face mask came in this afternoon! Want to try it out?" He gives me a soft and endearing smile.

"Sure." He sits on the couch, in his formal work attire. I'm not sure if I've told him, but god damn he's hot in that. I let his hair loose and redo his ponytail, it's low and not well done. Even so, it's just meant to keep his hair out of his face. "Tell me, what have you been doing." I start applying the face mask, which signals him to quiet down and close his eyes.

"Well, you know I like to paint. I've been trying to get back into it, and recently someone opened up an art class in our side of town. Definitely closer than the one in downtown.." I smile as I apply it on his cheeks. "I'll be going tomorrow to see the instructor, the class, and most likely sign up. I can't wait to start..!" My excitement makes my voice crack slightly. I move over to bridge of his nose. "As I was looking online, I found some information on him. His name is Kaeya." Diluc flinches. "Sorry, did it get in your nose?" He just grumbles. "But anyways, I'll try getting one of the others to join with me. It's costly however, so it's unlikely. Even so, I'll at least try to get Lisa or Sucrose to try for the first week. First week is free.. leading up to fees of 400$ a month but only 3,000$ for the full year. I'm sure Ningguang or Childe will give me sugar till my teeth rot." I laugh at the thought. "Just kidding of course." I give Diluc a peck on the lips as a sign that I'm finished. "Now you let it sit for.." I check my phone real quick. "5 minutes, so right at 11." I smile at him. "Green suits you."

"Even if it close.. it's uh expensive. The other one was much less. Are you sure? I'd pay for your gas expenses while you pay for the classes." I was so adamant I'd pay he didn't ask any further questions on money, so I don't know why he's trying to compromise now. Maybe he's trying to save me money long term, even so I'd rather not spend so long getting downtown.

"Well.. the drive downtown, or bus, train, or any mode of transportation, would be really long. We're on the outskirts of town, I feel like this one would be more worth my time." He crosses his arms, still sitting on the couch. I cross my legs and slouch while sitting. "I already said I'd be covering all of my expenses, so don't worry." Diluc sighs, almost as if he was frustrated.

"All right, if you find yourself in any trouble I'll be here." Trouble? Trouble with what, I doubt this instructor will end up being a debt collector.

"I'll tell you if something happens, don't worry about me. So anyways, what about you?" He's been working more and more due to the sudden influx of people who had been dropped a few months ago. Now, he's been hiring and doing interviews. Still having to deal with the main bar problems. I visit him every Sunday at 10pm, when the bar is closed and only the kitchen is open. Diluc is the manager, often staying late for paperwork.

"We've managed to hire another two bartenders, made a business deal with florists across the street, and even managed to get a deal with a popular champagne company. Overall well, however I am very much exhausted." I smile at him.

"Have you eaten yet? Or maybe you'd like something to drink, don't overwork yourself, ok?" I grab his hand, intertwining our fingers.

"I'll try not to, but no promises.. are there any leftovers? What did you eat earlier." Tonight was a low effort meal, I got lazy half way through the day.

"Just some garlic sandwiches, there's two left if you want them?" He nods, leaning back to relax on the couch. I grab him the sandwiches I left on the counter and hand them to him. "I'll go wash off this face mask and head to bed, goodnight." I give him a soft smile before heading to the bathroom.

I yawn as I get into bed. Snuggling into the sheets, I let out a sigh of content. Today was a good day. Just as I'm drifting off, I can feel the bed move. I just close my eyes tighter not wanting to wake up completely. However, Diluc pulls the sheets just a little too much that I do. I snuggle closer to him, laying my arm languidly across his chest. "What have I said about hogging the blanket.." I murmur. He puts his hand on my head slowly stroking my hair. The comforting feeling helping me sleep.

By the time morning comes Diluc is gone, off to work I suppose. He said he made a deal with the florists across the street, maybe I should drop by sometime. I look at the time, it's the afternoon. I'll head out to the art studio soon, but let me pick up some breakfast. Er, lunch now I suppose. I pick up a quick breakfast sandwich and coffee and arrive to the art studio soon enough. Once I walk in, the smell of watery paint invades my nose. He doesn't take notice of me and continues to paint away. Wearing a white shirt? Bold. The scenery he's painting is beautiful, the way he's blended his colors is so smooth. I tap his shoulder, he promptly turns around. An eyepatch over his right eye and a stern face, which soon lights up. "To whom do I owe the pleasure of bestowing my eye to this beauty?" I blush slightly, I've never heard someone talk so eloquently then compliment me. I shake off the feeling quickly.

"Well, I was here to check out your class. I made sure not come at a scheduled class time, I didn't want to disturb you or something." He smiles slightly. "Anyways, your studio here looks great." I take another look around. I turn back to him, his supplies are all very unorganized.

"Thanks, you seem quite taken. About the payment plan, if you haven't taken a look online that is, is something we should discuss first." I nod.

After quite a while of talking, I did end up enrolling for the year plan if I enjoy the first week, we'll see how that goes. I head over to Diluc's bar and see the florist shop. I go into the shop, the scent of flowers is almost overwhelming. I look around at all of them with a large smile. I see a blonde haired woman at the counter, and well as little girl playing with some of the flowers next to the counter. I start looking around at all the exotic flowers, my eye catching a particular one. Just as I'm about to reach for it, someone taps my shoulder. I look over to see it's another little girl. "Hey, you looking for something in particular?" She smiles, a little name tag saying she's Flora.

"Oh no, I just wanted to have a look around." I hear the bell of the shop ring and instinctively I look over. It's Diluc, he's heading to the counter. I sneak up behind him.

"About the flowers you've sent over for tonight," I decide to let him finish before I let him know I'm here, "I was wondering if you could switch them to be more blue. The lighting would work much better." I wonder how they started this partnership.

"Yeah no problem, I'll tell Flora to start on the bouquets right away.." She punches in a few numbers and writes something on a receipt before handing it to him. I lean over to his ear.

"Boo." I whisper. He turns around quickly a little surprise on his face. "Hey, I came to say hello. Thought I'd check out the florist shop while I was here." I turn over to the person on register. "I'm sure making a deal with you cheered him up, he's had a rough month." I pat his cheeks smiling.

"Right." He looks a bit embarrassed by my remark. "Anyhow, I should be getting back to the bar." I follow behind him smiling. "You came to say hello?" It's not often I do, in fact I haven't done that for the last two months. "You're usually only here Sundays."

"Well, I wanted to see the florist shop. How'd the two of you come about this deal?"