Bed and Silken Chains | Hiatus

Fünfundzwanzig

[ To the Moon is the best game and you can not change my mind ]

I hate the thoughts I see within my dreams. They replay over and over in a perfect memory.

Diluc's eyes flutter open in a slow blink, the warm sunlight casting through his window. The light rouses his skin, making it bloom with heat. Diluc softly groans as he sits up and looks over to see (Y/n) missing. His heart picks up pace. Where could she have gone?!

Diluc quickly leaps out of his bed and hurriedly pulls on his clothing before rushing out the door. His shirt hung loose around his chest and belt twisted in its lock. He look down at the main floor of the manor, searching for the fragile woman, a woman made of delicate glass.

"(Y/n)?!" he cries out.

Elzer and Adelinde turn to their worried master's voice with confusion. They can see the mess he's in, fear surrounding his body.

"Have either of you seen (Y/n)?!" he swiftly asks.

Adelinde looks at Elzer before turning back to her master.

"Yes. She went outside about an hour ago."

"She didn't speak to us either. She just stepped outside," Elzer adds.

Without a second of hesitation, Diluc rushes down the stairs, sloppily puts on his boots and leaves through the double doors.

The cool morning breeze and dewy mist cling to his bare skin in a freezing manner. But now is not the time to feel the cold sting of the morning, he has to find her. Doesn't she know that leaving without him is dangerous?

"(Y/n)!" he calls out, cupping his hands around his mouth to project his voice louder.

A silence returns his call, much to his displeasure and dissatisfaction. Where could she have gone? Mondstadt City is hours away and Springvale is just as far. There are also monster littering the pathway to the main population. Would she even know how to get there by herself?

Diluc starts moving, calling out her name like a mother to her child. Where could she have gone. He runs around the perimeter of the manor and servant housing, searching.

That's when he hears the soft voice. It's so quiet, you might not hear it if you were to breathe, to think. Where did it come from?

Diluc quiets his breath, clearing his mind, straining his ears to pick up the slightest sound. What whisper of a voice would be carried upon the winds so graciously brought by the Anemo Archon.

"...an..."

Diluc's eyes snap open. He heard her. It was coming from the north side of the estate.

Without a second thought, Diluc bolts towards the river. His breathing is heavy as his steps slam against the ground. His thoughts get troublesome. Doesn't she know that slimes like to hang around the river? She could be killed! He can't help but pick up his pace. If she was in danger, he had to come and save her.

"...ean..."

Her voice was getting louder, loud enough to hear the sobs within her throat. It was raw, emotional, angry, sad, and... something he recognizes with ease. It was longing.

"(Y/n)!" he calls out in a panted breath.

As Diluc approaches the riverside, he notices the small form kneeling by the water, playing with the Calla Lilies. Her head turns towards the running man with a surprised expression. She quickly composes herself, forcing herself to stop crying. (Y/n) quickly stands, straightening out her clothing.

"Mister Diluc!"

Before she can ask a question, Diluc engulfs her into his chest, throwing his arms around her waist and bringing face into her tangled hair.

"My god... (Y/n)... Don't leave me," he says in wavering voice.

"Huh?"

Diluc pulls away before firmly grasping her shoulders.

"Don't leave without telling me! You scared me half to death!"

(Y/n)'s expression is of surprise but swiftly shifts to shame, unable to look at the man before her.

"I-I'm sorry... I-I just-"

"Enough... I'm just glad you're safe. It's dangerous around the river. Monsters often hang around here, and I don't want you getting hurt."

More hot shame pours itself onto the woman's body, like boiling oil.

"I... I understand. I'm sorry."

"(Y/n)," Diluc says in a breathy tone, "Why were you out here? All alone?"

She remains silent. She looks down, dragging her toe in the sandy dirt, drawing loops and swirls. She can't answer him, she can't! He wouldn't understand.

She turns away, shrugging off his hold before walking away from him.

"Where are you going?"

"Back to the manor. I have work to do, right?"

She then turns eerily quiet. He then turns eerily quiet. A tension. A pull. A push. Everything around them was trying to make this awkwardness snap, break, release its hold, but nothing did anything.

"(Y/n)..."