Freedom in Servitude - Diluc x Reader

Breath

*TW Description of Anxiety Attack*

You strolled down the now-quiet streets of Liyue, gently swinging the large bag of food Xiangling had curated for you. You smiled to yourself when you thought about how excited she was to tell you all about the ingredients and the processes of making it.

You breathed in the salty sea air deeply, feeling it enter into your lungs, then slowly leave them. Mondstadt had won your heart as your home, but Liyue Harbor was one of your favorite places to visit. You thought about how fun it would be to visit in the future and see your new friends at the pharmacy, funeral parlor, and Wanmin Restaurant.

"What a life," you said to yourself quietly. You smiled brightly in the stillness of the night. All you heard was the sound of waves crashing against the shore and your boots clicking on the concrete. You were at peace.

But as you continued walking, you realized you also heard an angry voice nearby.

"I told you what would happen if you failed again," it spat out harshly.

"Please, sir! I'm sorry! I-I-" another voice begged. You paused, trying to find the source of the noises. Your eyes moved around left to right, but you didn't see anybody.

"Sorry isn't good enough anymore," the first voice hissed, "I thought you cared about your family enough to work harder so you wouldn't fail." You finally found the figures above, engaged in conversation. It was dark, so you squinted, trying to see better.

A man was pinned against a post on the balcony with his back to you. You looked up, trying to see the man who was trapping him, but his body blocked the way. You recognized the symbol on the back of the victim's coat.

"Fatui..."

"Please, not my family! I'll work double shifts for the rest of the month! Just please, have mercy!" the man against the post pleaded. You watched as he fell to his knees in front of the other man.

In an instant, you felt sorry for every Hilichurl, slime, Abyss mage, and Treasure Hoarder you had ever fought. Finally you knew what it felt like to have your blood run cold. It was as if you had plunged deep into the frozen lakes of Dragonspine with no clothes on. You body shook silently as you beheld the face of the man on the balcony above you.

"Master Childe, please," the Fatui officer groveled at his feet, "spare the lives of my family. I will accept any punishment as long as they are not involved." Childe glared at his failed officer. He had to keep up appearances, but in reality, he hated threatening this man's family. He thought about how he would feel if someone attacked his siblings. He sighed in resignation.

"One more mistake," he said threateningly, "and I can't promise you anything. This is your last chance." The man quickly rose to his feet, his gratitude spilling from his every pore. He swiftly bowed in respect and ran away.

Tartaglia sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose in stress. This certainly wasn't how he had pictured his life going. He thought he would have been free of the Fatui's duties by now. He should have been... Just as he felt tears prick his eyes, he shook himself.

"Pull it together, T..." he mumbled to himself, gently slapping his own face. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a streak of movement. He quickly turned to look down off the balcony, but saw nothing nor anybody. He gazed around suspiciously, but couldn't detect any signs of movement. He finally relaxed and ran his fingers through his hair.

"I need a drink," he muttered, then walked away.

You felt your breath quickening as you pressed your back against the wall. You looked up and through the slats of wood on the balcony and watched the man walk in the opposite direction of where you were going. You said a silent prayer to Barbatos as you covered your own mouth to try to control your breathing. His footsteps continued to recede until they disappeared completely. After waiting a few moments, you took off running.