Freedom in Servitude - Diluc x Reader

Anniversary

Diluc looked down at the bar from his usual spot on the balcony of the Angel's Share at you. His gaze burned with envy as he saw his adoptive brother hand you a shot and wrap his arm around your shoulders, pulling you close.

"Alright," Kaeya said loudly, raising his small glass of liquor which quieted the small crowd surrounding the two of you, "to Y/N and all the joy and happiness she has brought us over the past year. May she continue to be the pain in the ass we all know and love."

"Hear, hear!" the others concurred before you all clinked the small glasses together and downing the alcohol in one go. You gulped your shot down and shuddered at the burn as Kaeya squeezed you in a hug.

He felt Diluc's glare from above and reveled in it. If there was one thing he loved more than drinking, it was pissing off his brother, and he knew exactly how to do that. Flirting with you was not only the easiest way, but also the most fun way due to the fact that he knew his brother would never admit the jealousy he felt every time Kaeya was able to pull your attention away from your master.

You quickly said your thank yous then grabbed two glasses off the bar and ascended the staircase, leaving the hubbub of the front bar behind. Diluc tried to look like he hadn't just been staring at you for the past five minutes.

"One apple cider," you announced and placed the glass in front of him then took your seat across from him. He thanked you and you nodded while taking a long drink of your dandelion wine. "Gosh, you know, alcohol is so different in Snezhnaya."

"Really? How so?" Diluc asked.

"Well in Mondstadt, I feel like the alcohol is meant for you to drink to have a little fun with your friends. It tastes good. It's complex." Diluc nodded while taking a long sip of his cider, signifying he was listening intently. "In Snezhnaya," you continued, "the alcohol just tastes like regret. Like you know people just drink it to forget about their shitty lives." He stifled a chuckle looking at your slightly flushed face, knowing your ramble was a product of the alcohol doing its job.

"Is it that bad?" he asked. You nodded vigorously in confirmation.

"It tastes like licking a pyro slime. Gross. My father used to go through like three whole bottles every day. I don't know how he did it." You regrettably winced at the mention of your dad and Diluc's eyebrow raised slightly.

"In three hundred and sixty-five days, I have never heard you mention anything about your family other than saying they were the worst," he said carefully, knowing you didn't like to talk about it. You shrugged, drinking more wine to ease the pain of thinking about it, all the while avoiding Diluc's gaze.

"Oh, you know, it's just that my dad, he..." A hitch in your throat betrayed you, and in an instant, you felt warmth resting on your hand.

"You don't have to talk about it," Diluc replied gently, tightening his hand around yours. You stared at his hand on top of yours and immediately blushed.

"I know that," you replied quickly, waving your free hand as if trying to wave away the awkwardness, "it just doesn't matter anymore. I don't ever want to see them again." You looked back at his hand, and he realized it had been there too long, so he pulled it back to casually cover his face, which was turning bright red. You had to stop yourself from smiling.

"I really owe everything to you," you said, letting your eyes fall to the table, too embarrassed to meet his, "If it weren't for you, I don't know where I would be. Probably dead." You chuckled at the thought but Diluc frowned instead. "In a way, I owe you my life..." You trailed off but finally looked at his face.

There, in front of you, was a classic, warm Diluc smile. It wasn't obvious, and many others might not even notice it. But you saw the corners of his mouth pointing upward, the muscles in his face relaxing, and his eyes softening as they fixated on you, giving you instant butterflies in your stomach.

"You flatter me," he replied sheepishly, blushing furiously. You shook your head and downed the rest of your drink.

"Not at all," you said, brushing it off before more embarrassment came, "Refill?" He nodded so you grabbed the two glasses and went downstairs. Your group of friends cheered seeing you re-emerge as you stepped up to the bar.

Diluc rested his chin in his hand and watched you mingle among the small group. Your voice echoed in his head over and over.

"I owe you my life," it said.