OH MY~ ! ᵈⁱˡᵘᶜ ʳᵃᵍⁿᵛⁱⁿᵈʳ ˣ ʳᵉᵃᵈᵉʳ

𝘹𝘷. 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘳

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Uh oh.

This can't be happening.

Sometimes you wonder if you genuinely have no common sense.

You were supposed to be gathering small lamp grass because you thought they looked so beautiful, especially in the night. It would add a nice vibe to your atmosphere if you added some outside.

You thought you've seen some in this area, or someone might've picked them before you, because they weren't there.

So, you just kept walking, expecting to possibly find more. It would make sense since there were already some nearby last time you checked.

Ah - see. You found one. You could see it slightly glowing in the distance.

You continued to walk towards it. You stopped in front of it and bent down, until you heard rustling behind a bush.

You stop what you're doing, and stand back up, eyes fixated on the bush to the side of you.

"H-Hello?" you spoke.

Bad idea.

The rustling got more intense, until a Cryo Abyss Mage popped up from the bush. The mage mockingly laughed, and you just stood there.

Should you call for help? You're pretty near Wolvendom, and you're still not familiar with the place, so you don't know if there's any place nearby that would actually hear you.

Still unsure of what do you, you stayed still.

You thought that maybe if you didn't move, he would just...not do anything, I guess. But your kind of a smooth brain when it comes to monsters so...

The mage did its stupid little dance and then started charging at you. Great.

You bolted, trying to run as fast as you possibly could. You probably looked so stupid right now, but you could only run so much until you tripped on a twig.

A twig...? You're not THAT clumsy.

No wait, yes you are.

Since you were running, the impact made you trip hard onto your knees first. You yelped as you felt a sharp rock gash one of your knees.

You stayed on the spot, too distracted by the burning pain. You kind of thought this was it, to die pathetically by a tiny mage.

You turned away, unable to face the mage.

You waited, and waited, until it let out an agonizing cry.

"Oh my gosh, that looks really bad! Are you alright miss?" A high-pitched voice asked. You turned to look, and it was a floating...baby? Tiny human thing?
Next to it was a blonde male, who looked just as worried as the tiny human.

"Miss, are you alright?" He asked.

"Uhm..I-I don't know, it just really hurts." You said. Your voice was slightly shaking from the tears that were starting to rise.  The stinging was a getting a bit too much for you.

"I think we might be too far to get too the city. But don't worry, we know someone nearby who might be able to help." The floating thing says. "I'm Paimon and this is Aether. You're gonna be alright miss!"

── •✧• ──

You, Aether, and Paimon were approaching a big luxurious mansion. The pale tint of orange in the sky was casting shadows against the land. It was stunning. The person who lived here must be living the life.

(Oh, if only you knew)

Aether had supported you the entire walk by holding your arm over his shoulder and having his hand respectfully on your side.

"We're here! Let's hope Master Diluc is home." Paimon says while knocking the door.

Wait who?!!

You were about to ask Paimon to repeat herself, until the door opens, and you're all met with the strawberry man in casual attire.

His eyes immediately landed on you and Aether, subconsciously flicking to how he had his hold on you before finally landing on the very obvious wound on your knee.

"Master Diluc, we -"

"What happened to you?" he interrupts Paimon.

Diluc's tone was rather cold, which shouldn't be as much as a surprise now. But the way he spoke to you this time had no softness behind it like when he usually was.

You look away shamefully, already able to pick up his demeanor. "I-It was an—"

He sighed before lightly cutting you off. "Save it." Before also avoiding your eyes. Your heart twinged from how he was suddenly acting so weird towards you. Now you just felt like a bigger burden.

The air suddenly grew tense, especially because Aether and Paimon could feel how there was a little more going on. Diluc wanted to say more, but he didn't.

"Ahem—" Diluc cleared his throat before looking at the traveler as he reached out his arms towards you, signifying for him to help and comply. Aether got the message as he helped steady you while moving towards Diluc.

Diluc grabbed your waist gently but firmly before moving one hand to hold your arm carefully and his other remaining on your waist.

The silence was uncomfortable. And although his touch would normally make you blush, it was different this moment due to how awfully dull his expression was.

It's clearly obvious that Diluc had told you he'd wanted you to be more careful in the wild. And once again he's lending you a hand. This wasn't what was bothering him, though.

"Traveler, I don't know how this happened, but thank you for coming to me." Diluc states.

"Is she going to be alright? We know how to tend a wound like that." Aether says. Paimon nods in agreement.

" I appreciate your concern, but I've got it from here." He said.

Aether and Paimon both looked between the two of you, only saying nothing. Diluc then shuts the door and leaves them standing out there, wondering what the status between the two of you was.

"Is it just Paimon, or do those two seem close? It's been a while since we were in Mondstadt, but it hasn't been THAT long."

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