"hah!" you pushed his sword back and took a stab at him.
he grunted, stepping back. "stay here."
you cocked your head, curious.
he left, returning shortly after with a claymore, seemingly crafted for your size.
"test this out."
it's been a few weeks since we began training. in all honesty, i partly wanted to learn to use a claymore to become friends with diluc again.
you lifted the heavy greatsword, but struggled to keep it up. you dropped it, and it thudded loudly.
you tried again, and diluc appeared next to you, his hands on top of yours, his body too close to you.
he helped you lift it, and adjusted you grip on it.
"adjust your stance like this." he demonstrated. "it makes it easier to hold a greatsword."
you followed his instructions, and yes, it was easier.
but the claymore was still heavy.
the two of you decided to go outside, after a few practice swings.
"have you seen the way noelle spins with her weapon?" diluc asked, holding the claymore.
you nod. "i want you to do that. it will make you dizzy though."
you arrive at an open clearing, near the statue of the seven.
"...are you sure?"
"of course i am." he hands you the sword.
you remember how diluc told you to hold it.
"now, spin." he instructed.
you take a deep breath, lift the sword, and spin.
after a few seconds you stop, set the tip of the sword in the ground, and lean on it for support.
diluc walks over and takes the greatsword back.
"you know how to wield a sword. use that knowledge to strike with this."
you knit your eyebrows together momentarily.
he sighs, and demonstrates a couple attacks.
"oh.. okay." you take it back and, with a struggle, manage to swing the sword twice.
"this will take a while..." you lay down on the grass, exhausted.
diluc hesitates, then takes a seat beside you.
"come on, lay down with me!" your hand rests on diluc's.
he shakes his head, but complies after your persistence.
"isn't it such a lame day? it's not even rainy.. the sun's all in my face!"
you giggle.
i want to hear that laugh everyday.
"it's not so bad.." diluc mumbles.
he sneaks a glance at you.
you're busy looking up at the clouds. "hey, look! that one looks like Baron Bunny!"
he looks up, following your finger. "mm, yes it does."
your hand lay in the space between the two of you.
diluc hesitantly lays his gloved hand over it.
you notice, and take his hand, interlocking it with yours.
he clears his throat, intently studying the sky.
"why do you always keep your hands gloved?"
diluc seems to be thinking, and doesn't respond.
you look at him, and ask again.
he looks back at you.
"i.. just like them like that."
you hum in reply.
"well i bet i like them ungloved." you look away.
"mm. probably." he mutters.
i want to stay like this forever.
"i should head back. i have those meetings with noblemen and their daughters." he sounds annoyed.
"ah.. right." diluc gets up, stuffing his hands in his pockets.
"do you ever plan on marrying one of them..?" you ask.
he scoffs. "of course not."
"aha, obviously. do you want the greatsword back?"
he glances at you. "no. you can keep it. unless you still can't carry it far, then i will store it."
you shake your head. "no, no. i think i can carry it back." he nods.
"then i'll see you later."
